I Love Rolled Hay: I have seen some stunning images of rolled hay and have always wanted to photograph them but every time I have seen them I didn't have my camera with me... that was...

TaraMar Loc: Kingston, RI

I have seen some stunning images of rolled hay and have always wanted to photograph them but every time I have seen them I didn't have my camera with me... that was, until today. Both these photos are 3 bracketed images (-2,0-+2) processed with Nik's HDR Efex Pro 2. (Taken in Matunuck, Rhode Island.)

I am not sure which processing I like better. Would love some feedback.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

I like both of them, Tara...can't pick a favorite!

TaraMar Loc: Kingston, RI

Thanks Danilo! I am torn too.

Danilo wrote:

I like both of them, Tara...can't pick a favorite!

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

Actually, I like both. Did you mask the sky and treat it separately in either?

I like rolled hay too. I'm surrounded by it. Even so, I've only shot it at a friends ranch.

This is one of my earliest attempts at HDR back in January.

conkerwood

TaraMar wrote:

I have seen some stunning images of rolled hay and have always wanted to photograph them but every time I have seen them I didn't have my camera with me... that was, until today. Both these photos are 3 bracketed images (-2,0-+2) processed with Nik's HDR Efex Pro 2. (Taken in Matunuck, Rhode Island.)

I am not sure which processing I like better. Would love some feedback.

So its not just me, I love rolled hay as well. Of the two I prefer the processing of the first as it is sharper, has better contrast in the foreground and to my eye the green of the grass at the front is more natural in tone than the second. The only processing tweek I would perhaps suggest is to drop the blacks back a little in your initial processing so that some detail could be recovered from the tree trunks.

Nice work thought

Peter

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I like #1 more, the larger hay roll in the left forefront anchors the composition and directs my view.

colo43 Loc: Eastern Plains of Colorado

#1 for me..
nicely done.

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

After a good night's sleep and after further review I like #1 as well. It's slightly more color saturated. I also like the sky texture and composition better than #2.

TaraMar Loc: Kingston, RI

thank you DigitalBoy. I didn't do anything to the sky. I also do all my PP in LR4 and don't have a masking tool.

Nice shot by the way!

RVDigitalBoy wrote:

Actually, I like both. Did you mask the sky and treat it separately in either?

I like rolled hay too. I'm surrounded by it. Even so, I've only shot it at a friends ranch.

This is one of my earliest attempts at HDR back in January.

TaraMar Loc: Kingston, RI

Yeah I see where the right furthermost tree has a bit too much black. Thanks for the suggestion.

conkerwood wrote:

quote=TaraMar I have seen some stunning images of... (show quote)

TaraMar Loc: Kingston, RI

Thank you Joe. Composition wise I agree with you.

joehel2 wrote:

I like #1 more, the larger hay roll in the left forefront anchors the composition and directs my view.

TaraMar Loc: Kingston, RI

Thank you; I am starting to agree with everyone as well.

colo43 wrote:

#1 for me..
nicely done.

TaraMar Loc: Kingston, RI

Thanks for taking another look Lew!

RVDigitalBoy wrote:

After a good night's sleep and after further review I like #1 as well. It's slightly more color saturated. I also like the sky texture and composition better than #2.

Highlake Loc: Yucaipa, CA

Very nice work. I also like #1 best. Better composition I think, foreground objects closer. I might have had the foreground objects even closer, but that's just personal preference - I'm a bit of a foreground junkie. :-)

Highlake Loc: Yucaipa, CA

Beautiful RVDigitalBoy. Great light you have there.