1st post. Thanks!

[jax314]

Hey everyone. I have only owned a DSLR (D3000) for two weeks, but I LOVE taking photos. Well, I know I still have a lot to learn, but I did come across some HDR images and I wanted to give it a shot. However, my camera does not do auto bracketing and I did not have a tripod as of earlier today when I took this...so I thought I would try taking a picture in RAW, over and under-exposing it, and using those three to create my image. I am a complete newbie, so I want to know if you think the composition/colors work...BTW, this was our first snowfall in Kentucky, and to enjoy my snowday (I teach high school) I thought I would experiment...

Thanks for all of your help.

Jax

[zachinglis]

What is your question?

[jax314]

I was wondering if the colors worked, since this was my first attempt at HDR (well, only using one RAW file). Also, I think it is as straight as possible, but with the trees playing tricks on my eyes....what do you think?

[davewb]

I really like it Jaxx. Some people love HDR, some hate it. I love it! It brings out detail not visible to the naked eye. The only suggestion I have is to straighten the image...it looks a little off balance.

Overall though, I think this shot has alot of emotion and conveys the feeling of winter very well.

Dave

[davewb]

Forgot to mention that your method of HDR works well, but there are quicker methods - ps plugins. Topaz has one (around $50) that works very well. Unless there is extreme contrast in a scene, this plug in works very very well on one normal exposure.

[jax314]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Can you please give a suggestion as to how to straighten it? I think trees are playing tricks with my head.....some aspects look straight, but then when I look at it as a whole, it seems off....is it an illusion? My eye?

Any help is appreciated!!

Thanks!

[davewb]

Most software has a straightening tool - you click and drag a straight line in the image - line it up with the level, then click etc, and the image is straighened. But you are right, the trees do look straight! Perhaps it's a lens perspective issue....most software can also correct for barrel distortion etc.

[jax314]

Thanks...I'll check that out!