dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

TIME LIMIT EXPIRED PRIOR TO UPLOAD OF ALL IMAGES

1ST SET HERE [ http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-20063-1.html#265967]

For the past few years I have marketed "true" HDR processed imaging with bracketed captures. I have also marketed some very nice creative images from a single RAW capture that has been tonemapped (I shoot in RAW format 99% of the time).

There has been a progression (and learning curve) related to this type of image processing for me. When I first started doing HDR or single tone mapping - I did so to the extreme in many images (ultimately over post-processing those captures - in my opinion). When using my former D40 and D5000 cameras, as well as my current D3100, or D5100 cameras (DX formats), I was experimenting with HDR and tonemapping software.

My most recent images taken are with a D700 FX recently purchased, and have been 'minimally' HDR or Tonemapped post processed - using Windows based Paintshop Pro X3/X4 and Photomatix 4 software - or - Apple Aperture 3 and Macintosh versions of Lightroom 3 and Photomatix.

With the recent purchase of a Macbook Pro and iMac I have begun to rely upon the Mac version of Lightroom3, utilzing Apple Aperture 3 application not just for for post-processing work flow, but image storage cataloging. My preference is to present a “true toned” image capture now - without "over processing". That being said, the Macbook Pro 13.3-inch and iMac 27-inch are dedicated to imaging, communications and entertainment use.

Have attached samples of my HDR and Tonemapping images from the past few years.

Comments are gladly accepted.

Cheers!
Greg

MissStephie Loc: West Virginia

Very nice!

dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

Images data...

Image 1: Lake Erie Sunset (Ohio)
Camera: Nikon D5100
Lens: Tamron 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5G
Exposure (1): 2 sec. 0EV
Exposure (2): 3 sec. +1EV
Aperture: f/14.0
Focal Length: 10mm
ISO Speed: 100
2 image 14-bit RAW merge
Corel Paintshop Pro HDR
-------------------------------

Image 2: Lake near our home - Cary, North Carolina
14-bit RAW image merge (hand held)
Device: Nikon D700
Lens: Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8G
Focal Length: 24mm
Aperture: F/11
ISO Sensitivity: 100

Exposure 1
Shutter Speed:1/60s
Exposure Comp.:+0.3EV

Exposure 2
Shutter Speed:1/125s
Exposure Comp.:-0.7EV

Exposure 3
Shutter Speed:1/250s
Exposure Comp.:-1.7EV

Exposure 4
Shutter Speed:1/500s
Exposure Comp.:-2.7EV

Exposure 5
Shutter Speed:1/1000s
Exposure Comp.:-3.7EV

Photomatix 4; Paintshop Photo Pro X3 HDR
Photomatix 4 Black & White conversion
--------------------------

Image 3: Cleveland, Ohio (Niteline - from The Flats)
Camera Nikon D700
Sigma 24-70mm
Exposure 6 seconds
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 52mm
ISO 100
Single 14-bit RAW image - Tonemapped / Cropped
------------------------

Image 4: Marblehead, Ohio
Camera Nikon D5100
Lens Tamron 10-24mm
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture f/13.0
Focal Length 10 mm
ISO Speed 200
Single 14-bit RAW image - Tonemapped
----------------------------

Image 5: Falls Lake, North Carolina
Hand held, Three 14-bit RAW image merge
Camera Nikon D700
Lens Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8
Exposures 1/90th, 1/180th, and 1/350th of a second
Aperture f/9.5
Focal Length 24mm
ISO Speed 100
Paintshop Pro X4 HDR
------------------

Image 6: Lake Erie Sunset (Ohio)
Five 14-bit RAW image merge (tripod)
Device: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 28-300mm F/3.5-5.6G VR
Focal Length: 28mm
ISO: 100
Aperture: F/8
Shutter Speeds:
1/15s : +1.5EV
1/30s : +0.5EV
1/45s : 0EV
1/60s : -0.5EV
1/125s : -1.5EV
Post-processing: Paintshop Pro 4 & Photomatix 4 HDR

TIME LIMIT EXPIRED PRIOR TO UPLOAD OF ALL IMAGES

1ST SET HERE [ http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-20063-1.html#265967]

betsout06 Loc: Pound Ridge, NY

these are beautiful. The don't hit me with the typical HDR effect. I love them. Lighthouse is my personal favorite. Thanks for sharing all the info.

dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

Thanks - One is glad to share...

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Wow! All Great Shots, especially the B & W and the Lighthouse.

drbarrymary Loc: No. Carolina, Florida

Great shots.

SunnyB Loc: Stilwell, Ks

These are really nice. I've said it before and I'll say it again. These are not overcooked. You do not have the overdone factor, happy to say. Your photos are pleasing and believeable. These are what I really enjoy looking at, even though I am not a pro, I know what I like.

:-D

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Greg:
How do you handle the wind moving clouds with respect to aligning them in the final image?

dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

In reference to alignment related with the cameras I own…

I captured the HDR image you identified on a tripod with my Nikon D700 set with an 8 fps bracketed exposure burst. There was minimal cloud movement between frames in the approximate 6/10ths of a second it took to capture these 5 frames. I have also captured multiple images handheld with the D700 (for instance Image 2). Regardless whether hand held or tripod captured, I do an 'alignment' process for all of the images that are 'true' multiple exposure HDR images using Paintshop Pro or Photomatix software.

There is a higher chance of unaligned bracketed images handheld with the D5100 if not extremely careful and still during the multiple exposures set (@4 fps burst) – if the images are too far out of alignment post-processing alignment tools are not effective. I have no problem using a tripod for multiple bracketed exposure images on the D5100.

The D3100 does not provide automated bracketed exposure, and I don’t waste time doing a full manual bracketed exposure set because of the automated bracketed exposure capabilities in the D5100 and D700

Of course with a single tonemapped image, alignment is not a concern on any camera.

Cheers!
Greg

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Thanks. I like what you've done with "realistic" HDRs. I'm not as practiced. I've used the burst method with my D300 bracketing five and even handheld. Before purchasing Photomatix, I had shot several groups with the thought of later combining using HDR. Unfortunately, I used the single shot approach, and some otherwise fine images had too much cloud movement. A lesson learned.... I haven't experimented much with tone mapping a single RAW file.
Love to see more....
Allen

dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

Thanks for the compliment, I am humbled.

Here is a link to a gallery I compiled of favorites I have captured...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/sets/72157627278222562/show/