Summer's End: Please don't tar and feather me, but I'll admit, I enjoy using HDR. I try to keep the HDR image within a somewhat realistic view. Not that I haven't done a few wild...

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

Please don't tar and feather me, but I'll admit, I enjoy using HDR. I try to keep the HDR image within a somewhat realistic view. Not that I haven't done a few wild creations, but, normally, I use the HDR technique to capture the best tonal range I can.

In this image of Burney creek with what I refer to as Lover's Bridge, it was an early morning sunrise capture. The autumn colors have begun to consume the hillside. The soft yellow sun rays are reflecting off the rocks in the water. The moment almost passed as I enjoyed the light dancing on the water.

I used a +3 ND filter to soften the fast moving water. There were other PP things done, but I'll not get into that, now.

Enjoy and CC is appreciated.

(Download)

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

ImageCreator wrote:

Please don't tar and feather me, but I'll admit, I... (show quote)

Welcome! You'll find the crew here on FYC is mostly an inquisitive bunch, interested in lots of techniques and different kinds of images, so HDR is welcome. I don't know if you saw Toby Marshall's great threads and tutorials on here about HDR, but in case you missed them, they are pretty fascinating http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-337619-1.html and http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-337933-1.html If you encounter any tar-and-feathers here, it'll be in low doses and you'll have plenty of folks who'll come to the rescue or at least offer sympathy:)

I like the "soft" sort of glow type treatment you've created here, HDR or not. Almost borders on an Orton effect, very effective for fall colors especially when you've got such a cool bridge and dawn light. Very nice composition with all kinds of lines to follow and sets of 3's to count. It's one of those complex images that looks much simpler than it is, which is a good thing.

MattPhox Loc: Rhode Island

Very pleasing to view.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I like it a lot! The composition is perfect for me and the light is yummy. Very appealing scene.

Possibly the blues are a bit bright in places; that's the only negative I can come up with :)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I used to be a big fan of HDR but with the new sensors that capture such a vast tonal range and the superb filters that are around such as NIK from a personal point of view I find it redundant and have gone from liking the natural look of HDR to using it for almost cartoonish types of enhancement.
Would welcome your views as to whether you feel this excellent image could have been produced without using HDR software.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

ImageCreator wrote:

Enjoy and CC is appreciated.

I have enjoyed IC thank you for sharing. Most has been said so I won't be repetitive. Welcome to the section I think you can find a home here.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

ImageCreator wrote:

Please don't tar and feather me, but I'll admit, I... (show quote)

Although the more recent sensors with exceptionally broad DRs may render HDRI, to some extent, unnecessary, if not obsolete, and given that I've no idea about the age or DR of the camera used, I'm left with evaluating the image as posted. I like its tonal spectrum and tonal range a lot. If I can't be sure whether or not HDRI was use, THAT's my favorite kind of HDRI !
This image is a most soothing scene, beautifully composed, and incorporating a paradoxical reversal of the "near-warm, distant-cool color temperature axiom.

Nicely accomplished, Image Creator!

Dave

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

I actually have several images from this exact same spot and at the same time.

Here is the exact photo w/o HDR. You'll notice on the HDR image that I've taken out a portion of the tree branch laying across the creek, and, I've taken out the tree in the upper left corner.

So, Billyspad, a good image can be accomplished w/o using hdr. I just happen to like hdr so, with your kind permission I plan on still using it (LOL).

(Download)

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I like the image a lot, Dennis. Thanks for posting both versions. The HDR version is a lot warmer, yes? I wonder if you can tell us what your thinking was when creating the image? Not the technical steps, but your vision of where you wanted to go with it.

Mike

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

Blenheim Orange wrote:

I like the image a lot, Dennis. Thanks for posting both versions. The HDR version is a lot warmer, yes? I wonder if you can tell us what your thinking was when creating the image? Not the technical steps, but your vision of where you wanted to go with it.

Mike

This image was captured at Burney falls state park in northeastern California. Its about a 10 min. drive from my house. I visit the park often and especially at this location during the various four seasons. My thought process was to try to show how mother nature moves from one season to the next. Sometimes subtly and at other times quite fast. Unfortunately, autumn is slower coming this year. I was hoping for a more dramatic end to summer with autumn bursting forth with blazes of color. I was a tad disappointed that that had not happened on this day of photoing. So, back at the computer I was determined to hurry autumn along. I had in my mind some warm, soft images. I tried to put my mind's thoughts into the image. I believe it did a fairly good job of it. I like my hdr image better than the one w/o hdr.

What do you think?

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I think the HDR image is just fine, and I am not generally a fan (in fact I've never done it). All of us have seen a lot of "overcooked" HDR. This one I think is so well done that I might not have known. I think I'd have suspected, :mrgreen: but I would not have been 100% sure, and that for me is kind of the cutoff; if I can instantly tell I probably won't care for it. The scene is simply gorgeous, the composition is excellent. Winner! :thumbup: :thumbup:

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

ImageCreator wrote:

Please don't tar and feather me, but I'll admit, I... (show quote)

The thing I like best about this beautiful image is that you did not over soften the moving water. The trend to blur waterfalls so as to proove that the water is moving, is in my view an annoying cliche. Thanks - well done.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

boberic wrote:

The thing I like best about this beautiful image is that you did not over soften the moving water. The trend to blur waterfalls so as to proove that the water is moving, is in my view an annoying cliche. Thanks - well done.

I'd like to second that. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

ImageCreator wrote:

This image was captured at Burney falls state park... (show quote)

Thanks! Very interesting. I supposed that you were intentionally warming it up as one of your goals.

I like them both a lot. Not being that familiar with HDR, I had always assumed that one prime goal would be to lighten shadows and tone down highlights, yet the opposite seems to be true with your modifications.

Mike