Monday, January 12, 2009

High Dynamic Range (guest post)

I am part of the reason Lisa chose the name "CHAOS" for her blog!

I just recently started trying my hand at HDR images. High dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic of luminances  between light and dark areas of a scene than normal digital imaging techniques. The intention of HDRI is to accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes ranging from direct sunlight to shadows.

It takes a bit of trial and error (mostly errors on my part) to get an image I consider acceptable. The merging of multiple images, usually from 5-7 of them, taken with varying f-stops and some final adjustments in Photoshop, is what gives me the final photos shown below.

Hope you enjoy!

HDR1
This image is probably most typical for me on HDR. Very vivid color and high contrast.

HDR2
I took this one a bit far but decided to leave it alone. It is a bit too surreal for my taste.

HDR3
HDR allows the details in the shadows to show

HDR4
Moving images are difficult but not impossible with HDR. You have to be able to capture all of the frames in quick succession.

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Jenners mentioned that Tuesday (today) there was a “guest post by your loved one” day being hosted by Tattooed Minivan Mom and I quickly threw the keys to my blog at my husband.  After he had control of my world I left the room and went outside to play in the snow while he worked his magic.  Hope you enjoyed!

28 comments:

  1. Not sure what I think of any of them, they are definitely different.

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun
    Photography By Leedra

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  2. Well...hello Lisa's husband! You have done a terrific job with your guest hosting responsibilities and I am sure that Lisa will be very proud! Your photography is exceptional....stunning in fact! Yet another thing you have in common with your wife. Well done!!

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  3. HDR seems a bit stark for my taste...though I do like that last one of the cow. Everyone seems to be talking about it though, so I guess I'm the odd man out. Perhaps it'll grow on me!

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  4. I'mnot often a fan of HDRs but these are way cool :)
    Love the first one and the cow(s) :D

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  5. Pretty! I don't care too much for most HDR photos, but these are well done!

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  6. Great job, Lisa's hubby! I am a total nincompoop as far as photography is concerned, so I come here for my daily dose of "photos taken by people who 1. have talent and 2. actually know what they are doing". And I am never disappointed! I see what you mean about the "surrealness" (is that a word?) but it is interesting to see what cameras can do beyond the point-and-click.

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  7. I really like doing the HDR also and like the effects. You did a lovely job and makes me want to practice some more.

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  8. Hubby and I have tried to dabble in this a bit, but not enough to have success. I think the first and last photos look fantastic! Great guest posting!

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  9. Hey there! Those are some great photos. I think photography is my favorite form of art. Thanks for participating today!

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  10. Stephanie C ReinicheJanuary 13, 2009 at 3:43 AM

    I like the sureal photo! That one is my favorite.

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  11. I love these. I am finding that lately, perhaps because the world outside my window is so grey and flat looking in the January snows that I like a photo that has been processed a lot.

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  12. Cool. I love these images. I've secretly wanted to be a professional photographer all my life but I lacked the tools, drive, and talent. Hmmm.... anywho, I blogged about a guy who does night photography, which is sort of similar in results to what you do. Check him out at http://lostamerica.com/.

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  13. OH MY GOSH....these photos are AMAZING!!!! Truly AMAZING!!!!! Love them Lisa!!!!!!!

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  14. So unique!!! I love them!!! They are really stand out and vivid!!

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  15. Speaking as a non photographer...I think they are really cool!

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  16. Very impressive! He does a good job at the wheel.

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  17. What interesting photos. I am amazed by what is posssible.

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  18. Those are absolutely beautiful pictures. I would love to take pictures like that.

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  19. Very interesting, wonderful photos and imaging work.

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  20. Simply Stunning. The amazing details, colors, contrast and depth in the images is just incredible. Very well done

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  21. these are great works of art, lisa's "chaotic" hubby:)! ... i like taking photos but i'm not that "technical" so i could not say much about HDR... however i love vivid colors... and i love the horizon on the photo with the cow!

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  22. I've seen the results before, but never any advice on how to do it. Getting the layers interleaved would take more patience than I've got -- even if I knew how to do it (and had the software for the job.. which I really don't).

    I'd recommend autobracketing 2 stops either way for a moving target. But you'd better be shooting a pretty fast shutter.

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  23. Wow, those are just fabulous photos!!! I'm not a fan of photoshopped photos, but I do like the ones that you can tell without a shadow of doubt are photoshopped. I know, I don't make any sense!! I love the contrast of the blue sky and the red church, the steeple is a bit too much but kinda eery cool, in the 3rd one I love how the tree has a green glow to it, I just love the cow shot. Maybe because my Grandpa raised cattle, but I really like it. Thanks for sharing!!

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  24. Those pics were totally awesome! And good job on the post. It wasn't your typical post, but I actually enjoyed that. And I even learned a little something about photography...I need a new camera. Like a real one. Not the little Canon from Costco. I am assuming that isn't going to help me get this level of picture. Cool!

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