My 1st attempt at HDR

[ajax_andy]

Did I get this right? As its my 1st attempt i'd love some feedback on what I did right and what I could do in future to make it better.



Exif data:

Camera Canon EOS 450D
Exposure 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture f/14.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Mode Manual
White Balance Auto
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

[jojonac]

What was your processing steps on this? Over all I would say its a solid photograph. The only thing I see that brings a question up is the white bit of sky right above the horizon. If this was HDR'd from a single image then I could see how the detail could be lost, but if you used 3, 5, or 7. Then I think there should be some detail on the horizon and not just a blown out band of white. Overall though I think the photo is good.

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by jojonac

What was your processing steps on this? Over all I would say its a solid photograph. The only thing I see that brings a question up is the white bit of sky right above the horizon. If this was HDR'd from a single image then I could see how the detail could be lost, but if you used 3, 5, or 7. Then I think there should be some detail on the horizon and not just a blown out band of white. Overall though I think the photo is good.

Hi, thanks for your feedback

This was taken over 5 exposures and merged together in CS5.

It was early in the morning so not sure if the light in the sky was somehow affected and that created the difference in tones between just above the horizon and full sky, or whether i've maybe over tweaked something after merging the images?

Its probably i've over tweaked something with it being my 1st time. i'm really not sure what though tbh

[kenichiukiya]

The photo tells me a story, and that is great! I agree with Jojonac, the sky above the horizon feels a bit overexposed. In your brackets do you have one that's not overblown or has some details around that area in it? You can try to tweak that exposure to look as close to this HDR as possible, then layer it up with the HDR and mask out the overblown area so that you've got some detail there. Hard work but I'm pretty sure it'll be worth it! I'm not a pro, I'm also learning, this is just my 2 cents.

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by kenichiukiya

The photo tells me a story, and that is great! I agree with Jojonac, the sky above the horizon feels a bit overexposed. In your brackets do you have one that's not overblown or has some details around that area in it? You can try to tweak that exposure to look as close to this HDR as possible, then layer it up with the HDR and mask out the overblown area so that you've got some detail there. Hard work but I'm pretty sure it'll be worth it! I'm not a pro, I'm also learning, this is just my 2 cents.

Hi,

yeah I was trying to express the idea of escapism and a biker with an open road in front of him that seemingly could go anywhere... am glad the story element came across

I'll see if I can do what you suggested. I have a vague idea what you mean... or at least i think i do lol

Thanks for your comments

[shauncunninghamphoto]

Ajax

I really love this photo. I believe the composition is spot on. I love the semi-wide angle of the 18mm focal length. I love the sharp detail in the tarmac and the shadow of the biker gives your subject read depth. Most of all, I feel like I can actually sense what the biker is thinking and I love that most of all.

I am not distracted by the white band over the horizon at all. I was, however, distracted by the white mark from the road on the right edge of the shot just below center. That might just be "me" but I keep feeling my eyes drawn to it. I would've had to remove it in PP or cropped in a little.

Although the end result is clearly a product of post-processing, in my opinion it also serves as a thought-provoker for the pretentious types who consider the 450D and the 18-55 kit lens purely ameteur.

Awesome job in my opinion.
Shaun

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by shauncunninghamphoto

Ajax

I really love this photo. I believe the composition is spot on. I love the semi-wide angle of the 18mm focal length. I love the sharp detail in the tarmac and the shadow of the biker gives your subject read depth. Most of all, I feel like I can actually sense what the biker is thinking and I love that most of all.

I am not distracted by the white band over the horizon at all. I was, however, distracted by the white mark from the road on the right edge of the shot just below center. That might just be "me" but I keep feeling my eyes drawn to it. I would've had to remove it in PP or cropped in a little.

Although the end result is clearly a product of post-processing, in my opinion it also serves as a thought-provoker for the pretentious types who consider the 450D and the 18-55 kit lens purely ameteur.

Awesome job in my opinion.
Shaun

Hi Shaun,

Thank you for your comments, they are really kind

I was really annoyed about that white mark on the right hand side of the road, as didnt see it until after i'd already posted the image... I have already removed it though for the person I took the pic for luckily.

I would love a much better lens and a 7D one day, until then its good to know that i'm getting the most out of my current set up and experimenting in photoshop.

Thanks again for your comments

[BigFuzzy]

Also, there is an obvious "halo" between his left shoulder and the background which is typically considered a sign of bad HDR processing. It's my opinion that good HDRs have no halo effects. It's hard, but will help it stand above the rest of the "oooh HDR is cool, let's do that" crowd.

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Also, there is an obvious "halo" between his left shoulder and the background which is typically considered a sign of bad HDR processing. It's my opinion that good HDRs have no halo effects. It's hard, but will help it stand above the rest of the "oooh HDR is cool, let's do that" crowd.

Hi Yeah I noticed that too after i'd finished procssing it. I didn't think it was too noticable though and would probably only really be picked up by those who were knowledgable of HDR... i.e. the person the picture is for hasn't said anything and I dont think will ever notice it.

But your point is valid and something that I will bare in mind for future HDR shots. Like I said its my 1st attempt so I was expecting to get a few things wrong and hopefully next time i'll make sure there aren't any noticable halos.

Thanks for your feedback.

[nagais]

Nice work. I like the photograph.