Sunsetting Behind Trees (first HDR)

[theeventof]

This is my first attempt at an HDR style photo and unfortunately the D3100 as far as I can tell doesn't have an auto bracketing mode so I had to shoot each exposure differently and handheld. This was just a quickie process job picking one of the PS5 presets.

What do you think? Composition, image quality, colors? I'm new to photography and extremely new to photoshop and HDR processing.


My First HDR Photo by John Davenport Photography, on Flickr

EXIF Data
Camera Nikon D3100
Exposure 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias +2/3 EV

[thatBilly]

You've got a lot of halos around the trees and the colours are a bit rich for me. It's all subjective though, perhaps you've ended up with the result you wanted?

You did well to get your shots without bracketing; that was the main reason I didn't go for a D3100!

I happened to do a similar HDR yesterday, with the sun through the trees. I prefer the more subdued colouring in mine.



As for image quality, it's hard to tell from the size. Perhaps you could use the BBCode that Flickr provides to post and link to your images. Look above your image on Flickr, next to "Actions" and the email, facebook and twitter icons. Click the arrow next to the twitter icon and select the BBCode for a medium image.

[theeventof]

Thanks for the reply. I did notice the haloing effect (is that mainly due to variations in the images I took or something else?)

This wasn't the look I actually had intended on getting, but I only had time this morning for a very quick PP. I hope to have some time after work today to play around with it more. .

I do like the subdued nature of your shot better. I have updated the photo to link to the image in Flickr

[Krusty79]

Yes, you've got some real severe haloing, which is an indicator of overprocessing. It is overpowering the rest of the image. In Photomatix, adjusting the "smoothing" setting is supposed to reduce that, but I don't know if PS has the same setting. I also prefer the more subtle look like dehanni posted.

[jojonac]

Nice job for your first attempt at HDR.

I agree with the above posters about the Haloing around the tops of the trees. This is always hard to avoid when shooting this type of subject with a drab sky. If the software you are using allows the use of layers you can try to mix in one of the originals to reduce the halo effect. You can also use one of the originals to help get rid of the grey sunlight, it should be white.

I think a slight de-saturation of the greens would also help to keep the photo a little more realistic...if that is what you are going for.

Overall though nice job for the first attempt. Look forward to more.

jojo

[theeventof]

Originally Posted by jojonac

Nice job for your first attempt at HDR.

I agree with the above posters about the Haloing around the tops of the trees. This is always hard to avoid when shooting this type of subject with a drab sky. If the software you are using allows the use of layers you can try to mix in one of the originals to reduce the halo effect. You can also use one of the originals to help get rid of the grey sunlight, it should be white.

I think a slight de-saturation of the greens would also help to keep the photo a little more realistic...if that is what you are going for.

Overall though nice job for the first attempt. Look forward to more.

jojo

Thanks for the tips! I'll see what I can do. I am using CS5 so I'm sure it has the power to do what you're talking about, just a matter of me figuring out the beast that is CS5 .

Thanks!