Handguns
Subscribe
Home› Photography Corner
Guidenet
Posts: 239 Officer
High Dynamic Range
Guidenet
Posts: 239 Officer
A few years ago on this forum, there was quite a bit of talk about HDR and whether we liked it or not. I would say that most did not overall. I was on the fence but willing to learn. Several guys claimed their HDR work out-sold everything else by a fairly wide margin. Personally, I was skeptical but willing to take a look.
Most of their work seemed to be over the top applying HDR technique and presets. Many admitted to using only one image and then choosing a single preset button. The preset button of choice seemed to be the one applying maximum “Grunge” effect; grunge being the opposite of natural looking. Grunge has that extreme painterly look to it.
I’m not saying grunge is bad, but there’s a time and place. There’s something to be said for using the techniques of HDR to expand the dynamic range of a scene yet still maintaining a more natural look. There’s also beautiful choices half way in between. I’ve spent to last couple of years trying to learn HDR and embracing that in the middle region, though sometimes I choose more grunge and sometimes more natural. I’ve got a long way to go. I will admit that much of my HDR grunge and semi-grunge seems to out-sell the rest, when I sell any at all. Just a thought.
Also, when I attempt HDR, normally, I really attempt to do it right with three to seven exposures, not just one. I’m not sure I would consider myself being creative just using one exposure and clicking a grunge preset regardless on how well it was received.
Here’s a few attempts I’ve made since that discussion here at the Photographer’s Corner.
Your thoughts?
Take care and have a great weekend, Craig
Most of their work seemed to be over the top applying HDR technique and presets. Many admitted to using only one image and then choosing a single preset button. The preset button of choice seemed to be the one applying maximum “Grunge” effect; grunge being the opposite of natural looking. Grunge has that extreme painterly look to it.
I’m not saying grunge is bad, but there’s a time and place. There’s something to be said for using the techniques of HDR to expand the dynamic range of a scene yet still maintaining a more natural look. There’s also beautiful choices half way in between. I’ve spent to last couple of years trying to learn HDR and embracing that in the middle region, though sometimes I choose more grunge and sometimes more natural. I’ve got a long way to go. I will admit that much of my HDR grunge and semi-grunge seems to out-sell the rest, when I sell any at all. Just a thought.
Also, when I attempt HDR, normally, I really attempt to do it right with three to seven exposures, not just one. I’m not sure I would consider myself being creative just using one exposure and clicking a grunge preset regardless on how well it was received.
Here’s a few attempts I’ve made since that discussion here at the Photographer’s Corner.
Your thoughts?
Take care and have a great weekend, Craig
Nikon D800, D3S, D700, D300, Canon G1X, Sigma 15 f/2.8 Fisheye, Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6, Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR, Nikon 28 f/1.8G AFS, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 AFD, Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 AFD, Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR, Nikon 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 AFS VR, Nikon 35 f/2, Nikon 50 f/1.8 G, Nikon 60 f/2.8 G Micro, Nikon 85 f/1.4 AFS G, Nikon 105 f/2.5 AI, Sigma 150 f/2.8 APO Macro, Nikon 300 f/2.8 AFS VR, Nikon 500 f/4 -P, Interfit Stellar X complete six light studio
Replies
I have played with it a bit but not a great deal. I typically try to just add a little interest to an image. The last time I did it turned out OK but the image still needs some work. I will shoot it again on a cloudy day so incoming light isn't so harsh.
DSC_3529_31_30_8_Detailcropped by Flcrutch, on Flickr
DSC_3529_31_30_8_DetailcroppedBW by Flcrutch, on Flickr
I personally believe that photography should be honest. I am willing to forgive a contrast/brightness/sharpening change, the aim of which is to recreate what the author saw in his eye when he composed the picture.
HDR on the other hand is not what the eye saw, and therefore, in my opinion, a cartoon created from an afterthought.
Not often used in that way but it could be.
Can you show me one example posted on this forum that closely replicates what the eye saw versus the original?
I know you said it was not very often used that way, but I would suggest it is never used that way.
Can you show me an example of any photograph which resembles what the eye saw or what the photographer experienced? I think that photographers who attempt to Xerox a slice of life are fooling themselves. It can't be done and if you could do it, what is creative about that? I personally won't even pretend to claim I care to replicated some kind of reality, whatever that might be.
Reality is three dimensional. It includes odors and sounds and it moves though time. My eyes and brain and your eyes and brain probably experience a scene entirely differently. It would take a lot of ego or maybe a Zen master to claim their experience is the right and proper "experience," that their view is the correct view.
What we can do or try to do is to tell a story. Maybe we want to move someone emotionally. We might wish to attempt to recreate what we visualized prior to pressing the shutter button, and that can never be reality. Thank God for that. We'd end up with a bunch of holiday snapshots.
HDR is just another creativity tool in our photographic tool kit. The concept was designed for a reason and it's present day use or reasons for use is irrelevant to whether you or I like the artwork of those who attempt to be creative using that tool. There are a lot of people who enjoy what others create using HDR techniques and I think that is more to the mark on the value of those techniques, not whether or not someone on this forum likes or understands it.
Here's some with not a whole lot of grunge.
Norman Rockwell is fine but Picasso ain't too shabby either.
Actually I agree with you as far as photojournalism is concerned ... otherwise have fun with photography as an artistic medium ... with an infinite palette before you with which to work
Now if I could just sell my work for the same price as a Picasso :crossed
You should spend some time reading an optics book. A 12 bit sensor is no match for the dynamic range of your eyes. When used properly, HDR is an effective way to compensate for this difference. Any sunset image is a perfect example of the difference in dynamic range compared to what your eyes resolve.
at first, i just hated it, then Craig T. posted a few with just a light touch that made the image "pop"...
so I gave it go.
i got photomatix and played with anything from tone mapping one image to using as many as 5 different exposures...
i got some pretty good results but never went to the "grunge" as i think it's too over over the top....
i'll post some later...
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
1/800 sec at f/6.3 400 mm (Sigma 150 - 500) ISO 100 Nikon 610
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
Personally, I never plan for HDR by taking a bunch of bracketed shots--requiring a tripod. I do my HDRs from single images. I've tried multiples and I really don't see any difference anyway.
I use photomatix with the one-touch presets. Why not? It's just too easy. I hardly ever use grunge, though it can be fun. Painterly and Smooth are my main go to settings.
I agree that it's a bit odd to manipulate photos to not be natural, but it can take a very boring photo and make it super cool.
All that said though, I hardly ever use it for my main core of work--events, weddings, sports, boating, fishing.
I did shoot a sunset wedding last week where the lighting and shadows resulted in horrible shots, but with a little HDR, I got a shot that everybody on the facebook post was raving about, and saying how great the lighting was...
hdr
original
for someone that doesn't like hdr you've been pretty busy with it;)
as for myself, i plan my hdr shots and already have in my eye what i want to do...
so for the preplanned stuff, i carry my tripod and remote shutter release...
i may shoot as many as 4 "bracket sets" for some images....
it gives me more to work with as i usually mix 5 exposures...
it just depends on what i'm going for...
on the first two images in my set above, i could not have got what i was looking for with out a lot of variables...
but that's just me...
i use Topaz B&W and photomatix hdr....
i have been shooting b&w and running them through hdr for awhile...
i found out it can really make a b&W pop...
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
that doesn't look bad.
Never seem more learned than the people you are with. Wear your learning like a pocket watch and keep it hidden. Do not pull it out to count the hours, but give the time when you are asked. --- Lord Chesterfield