The image above is a full, five-frame HDR image, processed via PhotomatixPro. My goal was to capture subtle detail from inside the room. It is important to only grab as much tonal depth as you need when creating an HDR. The non HDR version of the above photograph was not able to show any detail inside the room. But a full, 4stop blast around the meter setting will provide too much data on the light end making the texture on the foreground wall look very unnatural. I prefer that the photo not look like an HDR, but more like a natural expression of the subtleties of a scene. It is very easy to over do it with an HDR (take it from me), I have discovered that a light touch yields much better results.
So, set your bracket carefully, don’t get more detail than you need.
There were days this summer where a 12 hour day of driving would yield zero great locations. Yesterday was a different story. The section of Hwy 59 between US 36 and HWY 34 in eastern Colorado was rich with photographic opportunities. The first location was one of the best I have ever seen, a large crumbling home separated from the road by large trees. It was colorful and cluttered. There were textures and contrasts everywhere, and lots of old, funky objects were strewn about. It is as dangerous as it was fascinating, barbed wire is hiding in the grass, and large sinkholes are just waiting to gobble up a careless person. I spent 30 minutes shooting and trying not to fall in the holes.
The next location was only a few miles north on HWY 59, a small house in a dense stand of trees. This location is of the type that needs a dramatic sky to get a good wide shot. The cloudless sky meant no pop from far away. The true beauty was discovered when I moved close in. The cows that roam this ranch clearly use this house for shelter (or maybe parties, Gary Larson comes to mind). Anyway, the floor of the home was covered in manure, making the human touches of the room strangely out of place. The coat hooks were at child height, and the colorful walls give the sense of cheeriness that simply felt creepy in the late afternoon light. I would like to visit this location again during the storm season.
There is a third location that I arrived at a little bit too late to get any good shots. The shots I did get from there will be part of a later post on creating HDR photos. The opportunities for me to get out on the Colorado plains before the move to Seattle will be few, but I hope to make the most of them. Jen and I are planning to hit the road on Saturday, to cover the area north of Ft. Collins to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
All photos captured as HDR, five shots over two stops. Processed by PhotomatixPro. Nikon D300, 12-18mm and 18-70mm lenses.
It’s the time of year again where the question I get asked the most is “What type of (insert gadget name here) should I get for my (insert loved one here)? “
Here is a quick guide to products that I recommend this holiday season.
Camera: Nikon D90
I have used Nikon camera bodies exclusively for my entire career. This camera provides unmatched image quality at a very reasonable price. The camera body I use is the D300, probably costs more than a advanced amateur is looking to spend. I recommend the D90 for advanced amateur or semipro users.
Camera Bag: Tamarac Explorer
I have tried many camera bags over the years, Tamarac is easily my favorite. I have used my Tamarac bags all over the world without any problems.
Lenses: Sigma AF 18-200mm
This is a terrific all purpose lens. It has a useful focal range, wide enough for landscapes and enough zoom to get close to the action at sporting events. Sigma is a high quality product usually priced lower than many similar lenses.
Hand Held GPS: Garmin eTrex Vista
Having a dependable hand held GPS is not only a good for geotagging images with your new camera, it’s also a great way to explore new areas safely without the worry of getting lost. My Garmin eTrex GPS unit is an indispensable part of my rig.
Data Management Software: Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture
Managing the huge amount of data generated by your new DSLR is a very important. These two programs are great for keeping track of all your images. Both programs use a library based management system, keeping track of your original RAW files as well as your edits.
If you have any questions or would like recommendations on products not listed here, please feel free to comment. I will respond in a timely manner. Happy shopping!
The process used to give this scene the tilt shift look is a series of Photoshop filter and masking functions. The overall effect is to give the illusion of ‘miniaturization’ of the objects in the scene.
Ask anyone that has been to Santa Fe, and they will tell you it is wonderful. Ask them to define what is ‘wonderful’ about it, and they cannot. It is that intangible feeling that makes Santa Fe a special place.
This image was created as an HDR. FIve shots over two stops. The HDR process shows details in the highlights and shadows that do not exist in traditional digital photography. Shooting HDR without a tripod in low light conditions can be tricky, controlled breathing is key.
Enforcement of the rules by the caretakers of the Robben Island prison was pretty lax. I was able to roam around the old prison completely unsupervised. The sounds of a tour group echoed through the empty halls as I explored.
