My first HDR.. but it doesn't pop: My first HDR shot with Canon 20D and 17-55mm I recently downloaded Photomatix Essentials and started there. Already forgot what preset I chose ( need...

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

My first HDR shot with Canon 20D and 17-55mm
I recently downloaded Photomatix Essentials and started there. Already forgot what preset I chose ( need a notebook) twigged in PE first with sliders then to Photoshop curves and lastly touch up in Lightroom. The down load doesn't pop for me... perhaps I will get better on the next shot. Trish

(Download)

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

A blue sky would help a great deal. I don't do many HDRs, but you don't have any blue sky in any of the exposures.
It appears you had a high overcast which didn't allow for any shadows so your software didn't have a broad range of tones to work with.
Maybe adjusting clarity, hue and saturation in the combined image would help, but you still have that dang white sky.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Please keep in mind that HDR is the one form of photography that approaches, truly, what the human eye saw at the time of the capture. No camera can do that. So, HDR puts together the three captures, compiles, and creates a total capture closer to ... what the human eye saw at the time. So all HDR photo's won't "pop". That said, don't give up. As Bushpilot pointed out, had there been clouds in the sky that day, they could have contributed a great deal. In addition, consider experimenting with Tonemapping. You can certainly make some potentially dull images pop right off the photo paper.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Very flat light, as mentioned, Trish. Looks like you could have achieved good exposure and details without the HDR on this particular image. Maybe check through the resources on HDR home page for ideas:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-107-1.html

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Islandgal wrote:

perhaps I will get better on the next shot. Trish

Trish;

We all have to start someplace. Go into Lightroom, decrease exposure and highlights, boost contrast, shadows and clarity. Dehaze moderately and you get this:
Also, goto Topaz Labs and download a demo version of Adjust, and see what it does.

Are you shooting RAW or JPG?

(Download)

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

Islandgal wrote:

My first HDR shot with Canon 20D and 17-55mm
I recently downloaded Photomatix Essentials and started there. Already forgot what preset I chose ( need a notebook) twigged in PE first with sliders then to Photoshop curves and lastly touch up in Lightroom. The down load doesn't pop for me... perhaps I will get better on the next shot. Trish

number looks good, but you need a little sky in pic

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

Linda From Maine wrote:

Very flat light, as mentioned, Trish. Looks like you could have achieved good exposure and details without the HDR on this particular image. Maybe check through the resources on HDR home page for ideas:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-107-1.html

Hi Linda, I know I could have done a lot better in all ways. I shot the images on a monopod instead of a tripod. Today realized I should have set to continuous shooting. Then being so focused on the AEB I probably didn't select a good aperture, all after the fact! I am trying to discipline myself.... but it's hard! Thanks for dropping in.

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

Bushpilot wrote:

A blue sky would help a great deal. I don't do many HDRs, but you don't have any blue sky in any of the exposures.
It appears you had a high overcast which didn't allow for any shadows so your software didn't have a broad range of tones to work with.
Maybe adjusting clarity, hue and saturation in the combined image would help, but you still have that dang white sky.

Totally agree Bushpilot! It wasn't much of a day.. sky wise. On the other hand I did see vultures circling, that would have made a rather unique picture in a grave yard.

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Trish;

We all have to start someplace. Go into Lightroom, decrease exposure and highlights, boost contrast, shadows and clarity. Dehaze moderately and you get this:
Also, goto Topaz Labs and download a demo version of Adjust, and see what it does.

Are you shooting RAW or JPG?

I like your version very much rgrenaderphoto, I just need to get rid of what ever is going on in the sky to the left of the church. Thank you for the referral to Topaz and sending me in the right direction! Trish

(Download)

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

joe west wrote:

number looks good, but you need a little sky in pic

Sure do!!!

Thanks for having a look joe west!

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

elliott937 wrote:

Please keep in mind that HDR is the one form of ph... (show quote)

Thank you for your input elliott937, I'm listening and won't give up! Trish

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Here is my take with a little help in the sky. Gary

Islandgal wrote:

My first HDR shot with Canon 20D and 17-55mm
I recently downloaded Photomatix Essentials and started there. Already forgot what preset I chose ( need a notebook) twigged in PE first with sliders then to Photoshop curves and lastly touch up in Lightroom. The down load doesn't pop for me... perhaps I will get better on the next shot. Trish

(Download)

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Light blue sky, better touch........to entire photo

Islandgal Loc: Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Canada

gwong1 wrote:

Here is my take with a little help in the sky. Gary

The blue sky does improve the photo, not sure about the blue on the building though! Can the area one needs to change be sectioned off from the rest of the image? I'm too new to know. Thank you for your input Gary! Trish

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

Islandgal wrote:

The blue sky does improve the photo, not sure about the blue on the building though! Can the area one needs to change be sectioned off from the rest of the image? I'm too new to know. Thank you for your input Gary! Trish

The day you chose to shoot wasn't in your favor for sure. You couldn't take advantage of much dynamic range because of the overcast sky and the church being white. That's why blue spilled over to the church. If you try it again on a puffy cloud filled day with sunshine I'm sure you will be pleased with yourself.