Cape Cod HDR Scene

[BradP]

This picture was taken using 3 bracketed exposures at -1, 0, +1 and then merged together using PSP. I also applied the clarify tool and brighten tool.

The image looks somewhat dark to me, although, overall I like the look. Any suggestions on additional post-processing or is it best to just leave it alone?

Exif IFD0

• Camera Make = Panasonic
• Camera Model = DMC-FZ28
• Picture Orientation = normal (1)
• Last Modified Date/Time = 2009:06:17 18:14:42

[BradP]

I wasn't happy with the brightness so here it is with some additional processing. Does this look better or is it too much?

[data5amurai]

Hey Brad, thanks for posting this. First, I want to tell you that it does look good and I love the perspective. Did you use any filters, the first thing I notice is the very harsh shadows/light playing on the foliage in the foreground. When firing into the sun like this a polarizing filter would be very useful. Also, beach shots (or any shots where there is even slight wind) do not work with bracketing as you get ghosting on everything that moves. In full view I see it in the flag and some other parts of the picture. I do seriously like the eye that you have as this is a shot that I would have chose myself. For HDR I would wait until the sun is on the horizon, use only one shot using RAW (to eliminate ghosting), use a polarizing filter, and then open the RAW in photoshop's raw editor and save three different exposures of the same shot, then create the HDR from those exposures. Im not sure if PSP has that option.

Here is the most similar example I could find from my gallery to your shot here using the technique I just told you minus waiting for the sun to be on the horizon.



Its hard to get a good one with the sun high in the sky, you always get some harsh lighting. Best thing for that is to just wait it out and get that nice shot at horizon. You always get some better color at that time anyway.

[BradP]

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't use any filters for this shot. I guess I will have to go out and get a polarizing filter. I didn't realize that you could get the same effect by changing a raw capture exposure. I thought the sensor needed to actually be exposed for different amounts of time to get all the details for an HDR image. I will give the raw processing a try with some other images I have. By the way I love your 'Miraculous' photo.
-Brad

[data5amurai]

There is definitely a difference in the effect when not capturing the exposure through hardware bracketing. However, when there is any problem with movement then I would always recommend not to use bracketing as you will ghost the image even when you use software compensation techniques to align them. Thanks for commenting on my photo, Im glad you like it.

[BradP]

Does this look any better? I used Dynamic Photo HDR to create it.