HDR Attempt

[JBHotShots]

Here is my first real attempt at an HDR. This is Mission Espada in San Antonio, TX. C&C welcome.

[Abel]

Since youre requesting CC I'm going to correct the thread title for you to reflect CC and not NC as it is listed.

[wclavey]

Jamie, I can't comment on the HDR aspects of your image, but I really like the composition and the perspective on the mission...

[JBHotShots]

Thank you both. This is my first post of a picture so I'll make sure to keep everything inline.

Westley, I know HDRs are to many people's liking, and I should have said that, but thank you for the comment. I don't do much other photography than stock car racing so I'm very happy with the results from this little trip.

[wclavey]

Jamie, I often use HDR processing to combine multiple images to get a better representation of a high tonal range scene, but since I convert 99.9% of what I shoot to B&W (...see my gallery as evidence...), I'm not the person to talk about the HDR graphic-looking color images. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good composition and perspective. I find that Mission Espada is a hard mission to photograph, as is, in my opinion, San Juan. The other missions lend themselves to more traditional scenes and views. Your shot above is the first I have seen of Espada from that point of view - - one that I may borrow on future visits.

[JBHotShots]

Originally Posted by wclavey

Jamie, I often use HDR processing to combine multiple images to get a better representation of a high tonal range scene, but since I convert 99.9% of what I shoot to B&W (...see my gallery as evidence...), I'm not the person to talk about the HDR graphic-looking color images. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good composition and perspective. I find that Mission Espada is a hard mission to photograph, as is, in my opinion, San Juan. The other missions lend themselves to more traditional scenes and views. Your shot above is the first I have seen of Espada from that point of view - - one that I may borrow on future visits.

Thank you very much, that's a huge compliment to me considering I shoot race cars 95% of the time I shoot.

[Patti Edens]

Jamie,

Welcome to Pixtus!

Ditto what Westley has said about the composition. It is very nicely balanced and very pleasing to the eye. As far as the HDR part goes, I think that is also very nicely done. You have avoided most of the problems I've had in shooting and processing HDR. When I shoot outdoor scenes with any wind at all, the foliage is somewhat blurred. I don't see that in your shot. Another problem is halos; you have controlled that nicely.

The only thing I would have done differently is a little less saturation, but that's just my preference.

Do you mind sharing a little bit of info on how you shot it and which software you used to process? How many shots? Tripod?

[JBHotShots]

Originally Posted by Patti Edens

Jamie,

Welcome to Pixtus!

Ditto what Westley has said about the composition. It is very nicely balanced and very pleasing to the eye. As far as the HDR part goes, I think that is also very nicely done. You have avoided most of the problems I've had in shooting and processing HDR. When I shoot outdoor scenes with any wind at all, the foliage is somewhat blurred. I don't see that in your shot. Another problem is halos; you have controlled that nicely.

The only thing I would have done differently is a little less saturation, but that's just my preference.

Do you mind sharing a little bit of info on how you shot it and which software you used to process? How many shots? Tripod?

Thank you very much!

Believe it or not I didn't use a tripod, it was sitting in the trunk of my car. I orginally used CS5 HDR Pro and was pleased with the results, but yesterday I was just looking through my regular sites that I visit and saw an ad for Nik Software HDR Efex Pro free trial. I downloaded it and this was the first one I got. I only took three shots, -1, 0, +1 EV. I will probably be purchasing the software after the trial ends. I was trying to keep the effect on the realistic side and I think that is how I was able to avoid the halos.

[lhdvies]

Very nice-agree with the neat & innovative composition!

[JBHotShots]

Again, thank you.

[MichaelW]

I been to Espada many time and I like the way you have this shot.

Thanks for sharing.

[Patti Edens]

Originally Posted by JBHotShots

Thank you very much!

Believe it or not I didn't use a tripod, it was sitting in the trunk of my car. I orginally used CS5 HDR Pro and was pleased with the results, but yesterday I was just looking through my regular sites that I visit and saw an ad for Nik Software HDR Efex Pro free trial. I downloaded it and this was the first one I got. I only took three shots, -1, 0, +1 EV. I will probably be purchasing the software after the trial ends. I was trying to keep the effect on the realistic side and I think that is how I was able to avoid the halos.

Great job handheld. I have heard good things about the Nik software. I have been using Photomatix, but I don't like their latest version as well as the last one. I need to give Nik a try. Thanks for sharing!