2nd HDR attempt

[denja]

Well, I posted one yesterday and didn't get any feedback. I'll try another today. My goal is to get a high dynamic range without making the photo look manipulated. I would really appreciate input on this one. The EXIF is for the original image, and it was then auto bracketed for +1 and -1 exposures.

Please, any and all critiques are appreciated!
EXIF
Camera: Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 5.9 mm
ISO Speed: 64
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[Elmo]

looks alright.

When you said you "then auto bracketed" was that in camera or in post processing?

The reason I ask is the image seem it might be within normal dynamic range of the camera. This brings up the issue that if it was HDR'd using post processing then one can not increase the dynamic range as it is limited by the range of the orig capture you only succeed in tone mapping the image.

As the normal dynamic range of a digital camera is around 8 to 10 stops adding 2 stops at capture is not that much. When you make your captures make at lease 3 captures one -2 one right on and one +2. this will give a 4 stop increase in range.

For my HDR stuff I like to shoot 8 to 10 captures in 1 stop increments and then try different combinations. I have one i did 16 captures but it covered bright sunlight out doors through window and a very low lit interior.

[denja]

Thank you, I appreciate your response. The bracketing was done in camera. I am a fairly new convert to digital, having shot film for the last 55 yrs. I had no idea that digital cameras had a dynamic range of 10 stops. I know with proper film exposure, and then careful printing, you could come close to an eight stop range. Thank you again, now I know why with other HDR's that I've looked at, even the best still look manipulated. I feel like a fool, but hey, this old dog can be taught new tricks!

[Trader]

I don't do a lot of HDR photos but the ones that I have done and do like myself are more than +/- one stop. You didn't say what software you used to create this image but most of them do better work with 3 to 5 images taken with the same f stop (to keep the same depth of field). I also don't like the over processed HDR images. Hope that helps.

[wulf]

For whether the exposure range is enough, I think you need to look at whether any areas remain under or over expsed. I don't think that is the case here. I don't think it is a particularly memorable scene through. Perhaps try again with a different subject or composition (and, like Trader, I'm not keen on garishly bright HDR results... you might want to tone it down a touch).

Wulf

[PowerPix]

You didn't get any feedback the first time?? Gosh, considering this group is raging with HDR hormones I certainly thought someone would have commented!!!! Looks like the perfect photo to do some marketing for a summer camp or something. Great work!

[denja]

Originally Posted by wulf

For whether the exposure range is enough, I think you need to look at whether any areas remain under or over expsed. I don't think that is the case here. I don't think it is a particularly memorable scene through. Perhaps try again with a different subject or composition (and, like Trader, I'm not keen on garishly bright HDR results... you might want to tone it down a touch).

Wulf

Thanks for the input Wulf. This scene was about the widest dynamic range I could find close to home. I agree about toning down a little. I appreciate your comments.

Originally Posted by PowerPix

You didn't get any feedback the first time?? Gosh, considering this group is raging with HDR hormones I certainly thought someone would have commented!!!! Looks like the perfect photo to do some marketing for a summer camp or something. Great work!

Thank you for viewing. Actualy, the scene is from a city park in Denver. I appreciate your comments.

[Pierre81385]

I find two things give photos away as over processed HDR's: HALO's - there is ever so slightly some haloing around where the trees merge with the sky, AND TOO MUCH BRIGHTNESS - the colors are much to bright to look natural here.