What type of Post Production has been Used?

[dannycnl]

Hi guys and girls

Well I did read all the tutorials on this awesome site, and they had some nice tips for me!
But I have a question since I am trying to find out as much as possible about post production as I could.
And especially the things i like.
I saw some pictures on flickr, and was wondering what type of PP there has been used.

London Eye on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Flatiron, New York City II on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I hope anyone can help

[LostMahbles]

Both of them use High Dynamic Range (HDR) techniques which involves taking multiple shots at different exposures and combining them in tone-mapping software like Photomatix.

The London Eye photo also appears to have its saturation and contrast kicked up a bit and some blur (though that could be a side-effect of the HDR software). Also, if you look on the right under "Additional Information" and under "More Properties" you can actually see a lot of the settings the author used in Lightroom to get the effect on the final image.

Hope that helps a little...

[dannycnl]

thanks for your fast reply man!
Where can I find the options you mentioned, is that in LR?
Thanks again man and please help me a little bit since I dont use LR hehe

[LostMahbles]

Most of the things mentioned in the lightroom settings can be accomplished in other software, the basic stuff in Picasa, but you could do the more advanced stuff using GIMP.

I think the most predominant effect you're referring to is the HDR look though. There are tons of tutorials out there for HDR, just try googling "HDR Tutorial". It's all about experimentation. I'd try out some of the HDR stuff and see if you're into it. A lot of people find it to be a little over the top and fake looking, though when it's used discretely, it can actually be a really useful technique. The images you showed are probably on the border of that distinction.

[dannycnl]

Well I am using HDR, using Dynamic HDR, and trying some little tweaks in CS4.
I change the white balance to get the more "sepia" feel on the pictures, and try to add some vignetting filters.
I think the picture depend also on "luck" how the sun is shining etc
Thanks for the reply again

And just one final question hehe,
How did he achieved the grey look on the picture?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeproosen/3990108389/