Cloudy Day Over Bristol - HDR

[Bowlch]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dampowls/2219350448/" title="HDR Field &amp; Lake 2 by Bowlch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2219350448_5f67c93307.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="HDR Field &amp; Lake 2" /></a>


EXIF Data:
Camera: Canon EOS 400D
Lens: EF-S 18-55mm
HDR / Tonemapped Image (Photomatrix Pro)
3 Exposures: -2 , 0, +2



Was a cloudy day in Bristol today, but the sun was breaking through in places, so i thought I'd attempt some HDR shots to try something new to me... (others of today have just been added to my Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dampowls/)

This was one of the first images i took today, what I'm not sure about is the composure of the shot. I was attempting to get equal area of clouds, town and field, with all the details in between, but i can't help but feel im tryign to cram too much information into the picture.

I was thinking perhaps cropping the sky, but then on the other hand in like the swirl on top left of the shot.

Any advice on how the image can be modified would be appreciated :)

P.S. Feel free to modify the image if you so choose to.

[windrider86]

The clouds have such a wonderful texture to them its just kind of a pity they are so dark and blend in so much with the sky.
Did you take this on a hill as the horizon seems off to me? Did you use a tripod?
I really like the the fact that used the hdr effect to bring out defination and colors of this and didnt over do it. Well done

[crazzy88ss]

looks a bit crooked, otherwise I think it's well done.

What's that pointy looking building on the far right?

[Bowlch]

Did you take this on a hill as the horizon seems off to me? Did you use a tripod?



Yes the photo was taken on a steep hill with a tripod.


looks a bit crooked.
What's that pointy looking building on the far right?

Perhaps i'll try to fix the horizon in photoshop.

The building I believe is one of the many churches we have sitting around Bristol

[Clockdoc I]

anyone else see the shark!!! in the clouds (upper left corner)

[Bowlch]

Haha i see what you mean. Hadn't noticed that.

[peeperita]

you do have a lovely sky.......reason enough for taking the time to set up your equipment.....although i would like to see a bit more color saturation over all....

shooting on a hill is tricky.....your image feels tilted even though when viewing the larger size shows that it truly isn't....possible there is a more dramatic slope in the area you could frame....i believe if it was more acute, the viewer wouldn't sit there trying to figure out if it's "off" or not....


go with your instincts.....it is too busy.....landscapes can be difficult when your eyes and brain drink in the whole scene.....but your gear only sees a small segment of the whole.....if you're open to it and there is still access to this area.....try a reshoot.....look through your viewfinder as you pan around.....narrow that vision......

thanks for sharing..

peeper

[Bowlch]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dampowls/2219528254/" title="HDR Skylight Bristol by Bowlch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2219528254_e05a5db369.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="HDR Skylight Bristol" /></a>


EXIF Data:
Camera: Canon EOS 400D
Lens: EF-S 18-55mm
HDR / Tonemapped Image (Photomatrix Pro)
3 Exposures: -2 , 0, +2




Here is another shot i took slightly further around to the right... this image did look similar to the one in the first post, but i was trying for a more darker mood, whilst contrasting that with the bright light breaking through in areas.

Would you say the darker sky compliments the shafts of light? Or is the lighter/grey clouds a better choice to represent the weather...

[jiminyClickit]

bowlch,

Sorry this is after your second photo, but may be significant for both. There is a lot to look at, much of it so small as to be easily passed over in a viewing. I saved your swirl, moved it over to be able to crop off left side, bottom and a little right side of more grass, sky, clouds. This lowers your horizon from splitting halfway, makes water feature a subject of interest, makes detail a little larger.

Second photo is more interesting. The upper right 2/3 especially. It may be just that point where you need to try to pick an area and do more with less.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47146451@N00/2222918629/" title="HDRx by jiminyClickit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2222918629_5404be322f.jpg" width="500" height="365" alt="HDRx" /></a>

[peeperita]

i much prefer your second image to the first.....you've moved to a location that doesn't have your viewer constantly wondering if your horizon needs straightening and the shafts of light grab as a real focul point......less distractions all the way around......

thanks for sharing

peeper