I like the shots. The last two are the best IMO. Very nice! Thanks for posting.

Beautiful! Congratulations! These creatures are magnificent. You did a great job getting these shots. I would say it was worth the wait.

Happy New Year! Wonderful shots. Thanks for sharing.

Happy New Year!

Nikon 18-300mm

Hi everyone. I think I may have messed up on some of my responses to individual replies. Thank you all for your input. I do agree that, in the majority of cases, HDR has been over used and most HDR photos look over cooked. I can see where it might be fun to push the extreme, but only for experimentation or to show what not to do.

Your software suggestions are all awesome and I will download trials and have some fun. I did download the NIK suite and I got up early to give it a go on some recently taken bracketed raw files. All pretty new to me. It's progress and not perfection. It's great learning about the things I like and don't like as I find my "photographic voice", as it were.

This forum is amazing! It's great to have access to so many experienced, talented, open and friendly professionals. Thank you all.

Thanks very much. I just downloaded the NIK suite and will give it a try. Free is a wonderful thing when experimenting.

Thank you!

Extra RAW-Accessible Dynamic Range? I have read about extra range, but never tested any of the Nikons. Thanks.

Extra RAW-Accessible Dynamic Range? I have heard of it, but never tested the D7200. Thanks.

Hi and Happy Holidays to all.

I am looking at trying my hand at HDR. I currently use a Nikon d7200 and Nikor lenses. I post process in PSE 15 & LR6. I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer who is still learning to do most of the work in the camera. I like LR6 and PSE 15 and I'm still learning the in's and out's of LR and using with external drives, etc. LR baffles more times than not. ;o)

For HDR , I had been considering Topaz Adjust, until someone mentioned Topaz Clarify. Then someone showed me some shots processed in Photomatix pro. What I thought might be a fun and interesting experiment turned into a confusing and time consuming effort leading me to this post. I have heard great things about Topaz and Photomatix. Topaz has some decent specials running. They have lots of plug in options which seem to overlap.

I currently make no money with my photography, and as you know, this is one of the most expensive hobbies I could get enthusiastic about. Lucky me. lol

What are your thoughts on the post processing software, Topaz (and their confusing array of plug ins and standalone packages) and Photomatix?

Should I forget about HDR and just stick with LR6 and the PSE editor?

I just took to Advil, so if there is something else you care to share about, my headache should be under control in 30 minutes. lol!!!

Thanks for understanding my humor and for any input you care to share. I'm here to learn and connect until I can contribute.

Hi, everyone! I just got a chance to catch up on the posts. These responses are great! I appreciate you sharing what you do, how and why. You have given me plenty to think about. I live about 45 miles outside of New York city. I hate the commute and avoid it unless it is for entertainment reasons. It's just not worth the time and frustration unless you are going into the city to have some fun. I love the idea of volunteering at the animal shelters and will look into that with our local shelter. I'm still getting comfortable with the D7200 and I really do enjoy taking photos. I need to find some time before the snow hits and get out there to capture some Christmas lights and decorations. When I was carrying a Panasonic Lumix p&s camera during the day, I was taking several hundred photos a week. Now that I dusted off the DSLR I am choosing when to carry the extra load and where I shoot with more planning and care. If I could afford it, I would photograph every lighthouse I could get to. I would also like to get some shots at all the major league ball parks. Lofty goals, indeed.

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to share with me. This forum seems like a friendly and knowledgeable place to hang out, share, ask questions and learn.

Hi all, I'm relatively new here. I have been reading posts and learning. I enjoy getting out and photographing people, pets, sports, architecture, anything around water or the shore. I am currently using a Nikon D7200 and Nikon lenses. I started taking photos back in 1969 and had a small darkroom, contact printer and enlarger for B&W. My first digital camera was a Sony, which used a 1.44mb floppy. I spent some time and money on Canon bridge cameras before buying a Nikon D60, then a D3300, and now the D7200. I never treated photography as a business, although, I have been paid to do shoots for local drum corp and school marching band and one gig as a photographer of a local senator. I mostly enjoy learning and shooting and post processing in LR and PSE.

I have a question for all. How many of you are professional (earn your living) photographers as compared to taking photos as an expensive hobby?

I have noticed many professional photographers spend a lot of time writing books, doing seminars and webinars, and other forms of teaching. This makes me think photography doesn't pay the bills on its own. I have also noticed some teach 4 or 5 days and only spend one day a week or trip shooting for themselves.

Thanks. I would love you learn what drives you to take photos. Is it money, fun, a desire to create, to communicate? Please share your thoughts.

Hi Roadrunner, I was born and raised in Fairfield. After I got married, we bought a home and have lived in Stratford these last 33 years. Just reaching out to say hi. Lordship is one of my favorite places to shoot. Although Lordship has changed through the years, the beaches eroded, the lighthouse surrounded by condos, yet, it's still home. Happy Holidays to you and yours and to everyone on UHH. I have done any posts, but I'm enjoying learning.