Comments on: More playing with HDR http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/ Nature photography, art, environment Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:49:40 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Mark http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19861 Mark Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:42:13 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19861 Petra, I have pretty much come to similar conclusions with this image. I appreciate the honest and candid feedback. Of course, I am still new at HDR - and want it to simply come closer to my vision, which may take more practice with the controls available. Definitely say no to technical schnickshnack! :-) Petra,
I have pretty much come to similar conclusions with this image. I appreciate the honest and candid feedback. Of course, I am still new at HDR – and want it to simply come closer to my vision, which may take more practice with the controls available. Definitely say no to technical schnickshnack! :-)

]]> By: Petra Voegtle http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19854 Petra Voegtle Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:14:33 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19854 Hi Mark, while you asked for it: my personal take on this is that I do not like the HDR version at all - I rarely do - especially not for nature and wildlife photography. It is something completely different for abstracts and other art photography. The reason is that HDR in most cases looks completely unrealistic, even garish in my opinion and I feel if you want to catch a certain mood and emotion, a view that lasts only for a second HDR changes too much of it. Photography is all about catching the moment - at least regarding nature photography. In this very example when the light recedes, so do the colours of objects and especially plants. You would never see such green in a light such as this - remember the colours receding while diving. No-one would expect the grass and leaves to be that green. Also somehow the HDR flattens the whole image, structures become more detailed but strangely lose their depth. In this HDR photo exactly the opposite happens what painters try to achieve: depth. Unless the image is meant to be flat and 2-dimensional. I don't think that wildlife and landscape photography should take this path - this would be paradox. Doesn't landscape photography try to re-create the feeling you have when standing within a scenery that seems to go beyond horizon and the universe? The second photo is sadly reduced to its plane - that of 2 dimensions. I think HDR is well overestimated as it often happens with technical evolution. It should be used as a tool to play with but not taken as a recipe for good photos. We rely already too much on technical schnickschnack and should rather return to the essence. But that's only my humble opinion of an photographic amateur. Warmest regards, Petra Hi Mark,
while you asked for it: my personal take on this is that I do not like the HDR version at all – I rarely do – especially not for nature and wildlife photography. It is something completely different for abstracts and other art photography. The reason is that HDR in most cases looks completely unrealistic, even garish in my opinion and I feel if you want to catch a certain mood and emotion, a view that lasts only for a second HDR changes too much of it. Photography is all about catching the moment – at least regarding nature photography.
In this very example when the light recedes, so do the colours of objects and especially plants. You would never see such green in a light such as this – remember the colours receding while diving. No-one would expect the grass and leaves to be that green. Also somehow the HDR flattens the whole image, structures become more detailed but strangely lose their depth. In this HDR photo exactly the opposite happens what painters try to achieve: depth. Unless the image is meant to be flat and 2-dimensional. I don’t think that wildlife and landscape photography should take this path – this would be paradox. Doesn’t landscape photography try to re-create the feeling you have when standing within a scenery that seems to go beyond horizon and the universe?
The second photo is sadly reduced to its plane – that of 2 dimensions.
I think HDR is well overestimated as it often happens with technical evolution. It should be used as a tool to play with but not taken as a recipe for good photos. We rely already too much on technical schnickschnack and should rather return to the essence. But that’s only my humble opinion of an photographic amateur.

Warmest regards,
Petra

]]> By: Richard Wong http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19795 Richard Wong Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:30:59 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19795 One of the better examples of HDR that I have seen, Mark. The really sick type of HDR is when it looks like HDR. One of the better examples of HDR that I have seen, Mark. The really sick type of HDR is when it looks like HDR.

]]> By: Mark http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19735 Mark Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:25:03 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19735 Good points Royce. I will be the first to admit whenever someone mentions "HDR" - a certain type of imagery pops up in my head. Perhaps it is because of the learning curve that is going on with a relatively new technique - similar to the first use of color saturated films like Velvia. Many people simply thought they looked garish and "unnatural." (Though I personally hate the term 'unnatural' - what the heck does that mean? :-) ) I see many of the same comments about HDR. I will say that your imagery is some of the first I have seen that creates a better balance and breaks that stereotype. This is what prompted me to take some closer looks at its capabilities. Good points Royce. I will be the first to admit whenever someone mentions “HDR” – a certain type of imagery pops up in my head. Perhaps it is because of the learning curve that is going on with a relatively new technique – similar to the first use of color saturated films like Velvia. Many people simply thought they looked garish and “unnatural.” (Though I personally hate the term ‘unnatural’ – what the heck does that mean? :-) ) I see many of the same comments about HDR. I will say that your imagery is some of the first I have seen that creates a better balance and breaks that stereotype. This is what prompted me to take some closer looks at its capabilities.

]]> By: Royce Howland http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19726 Royce Howland Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:00:22 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19726 Mark, I like different things about both versions. To the extent that either one represents your own vision for how you want to show the scene, I'd have to respect that. Of course any one of us might portray things in a different way... it's part of the fun in talking with other photographers, as long as we don't get prescriptive on each other. :) I don't view either version as "realistic" as such, though the PS blend does look more like people expect traditional photographs to look. (At least, since the advent of GND's and two-exposure PS blends, that is.) Rather, each version creatively emphasizes certain qualities of the available light -- tonality, contrast (global, local or micro), hue, saturation, etc. Depending on what kind of presentation one wants to realize, different combinations of work may be suitable. As a known advocate of HDR ;) I will say that my personal approach would indeed be something like a blend of the two treatments, as Diane wondered about above. Also, as an aside on the term "HDR look", there are lots of folks using HDR technique without making the results look like what many others associate with the technique based on Flickr pools or what have you. I use HDR in many images, and few of them have the "Flickr look". That's because HDR technique is just a component of my workflow, and I use it in combination with a variety of other things to get the visual result and image qualities I'm after. Part of my style is to maintain a more traditional "photorealistic" appearance. HDR workflow is much more encompassing of different visual styles than I think is often realized. The key is for the photographer to maintain control over the image, rather than give up control to the set of sliders or buttons made available in any given software tool. Christian Bloch's site has a new entry talking a bit about the situation of HDR workflow vs. what people often call the "HDR look", including a reference to some recent comments by Erik Reinhard. http://www.hdrlabs.com/news/index.php?id=2398485298318604220 Mark, I like different things about both versions. To the extent that either one represents your own vision for how you want to show the scene, I’d have to respect that. Of course any one of us might portray things in a different way… it’s part of the fun in talking with other photographers, as long as we don’t get prescriptive on each other. :)

I don’t view either version as “realistic” as such, though the PS blend does look more like people expect traditional photographs to look. (At least, since the advent of GND’s and two-exposure PS blends, that is.) Rather, each version creatively emphasizes certain qualities of the available light — tonality, contrast (global, local or micro), hue, saturation, etc. Depending on what kind of presentation one wants to realize, different combinations of work may be suitable.

As a known advocate of HDR ;) I will say that my personal approach would indeed be something like a blend of the two treatments, as Diane wondered about above.

Also, as an aside on the term “HDR look”, there are lots of folks using HDR technique without making the results look like what many others associate with the technique based on Flickr pools or what have you. I use HDR in many images, and few of them have the “Flickr look”. That’s because HDR technique is just a component of my workflow, and I use it in combination with a variety of other things to get the visual result and image qualities I’m after. Part of my style is to maintain a more traditional “photorealistic” appearance. HDR workflow is much more encompassing of different visual styles than I think is often realized. The key is for the photographer to maintain control over the image, rather than give up control to the set of sliders or buttons made available in any given software tool.

Christian Bloch’s site has a new entry talking a bit about the situation of HDR workflow vs. what people often call the “HDR look”, including a reference to some recent comments by Erik Reinhard.
http://www.hdrlabs.com/news/index.php?id=2398485298318604220

]]> By: Thomas http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19723 Thomas Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:58:00 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19723 And another vote for the PS-version of the photo. Simply because the shadows are far more exiting in that version. Especially the loss of shadows in the sky and near the driftwood (lower part, where the two lead-in branches meet) makes the HDR-version somewhat artifical and boring (to me). Taking that together with the oversaturated colors in the sands... No, I really would vote for the traditional approach here. Just my two cents of course... And another vote for the PS-version of the photo. Simply because the shadows are far more exiting in that version. Especially the loss of shadows in the sky and near the driftwood (lower part, where the two lead-in branches meet) makes the HDR-version somewhat artifical and boring (to me). Taking that together with the oversaturated colors in the sands… No, I really would vote for the traditional approach here.

Just my two cents of course…

]]> By: Artist Boyd Greene http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19700 Artist Boyd Greene Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:21:09 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19700 Mark I love the first one but I'm a drama lover of deep tones. Perhaps the magic of photography is not being able to capture everything and having to choose what should be documented? Mark I love the first one but I’m a drama lover of deep tones.

Perhaps the magic of photography is not being able to capture everything and having to choose what should be documented?

]]> By: Diane - Daily Walks http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19698 Diane - Daily Walks Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:06:45 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19698 I too prefer the PS version. The HDR version is good in that it shows all the detail and colors and yet it looks ordinary to me. The PS one has a mood and personality that sets off the landscape and enhances the perspective. How about combining the two?? Wonder what that might do... I too prefer the PS version. The HDR version is good in that it shows all the detail and colors and yet it looks ordinary to me. The PS one has a mood and personality that sets off the landscape and enhances the perspective. How about combining the two?? Wonder what that might do…

]]> By: Anita Jesse http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19670 Anita Jesse Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:22:21 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19670 Just back in town and chiming in late, but I have to add to the votes for the PS version. While I deeply admire the techinque in the HDR version and it succeeds in causing me to be even more attracted to investigating the technique, for me the PS version is more successful in pulling my eye through the image and making for a delightful flow. In the HDR version, I feel somewhat bogged down. I wish I could state this in a more articulate manner, but maybe that half cup of coffee isn't doing it. Just back in town and chiming in late, but I have to add to the votes for the PS version. While I deeply admire the techinque in the HDR version and it succeeds in causing me to be even more attracted to investigating the technique, for me the PS version is more successful in pulling my eye through the image and making for a delightful flow. In the HDR version, I feel somewhat bogged down. I wish I could state this in a more articulate manner, but maybe that half cup of coffee isn’t doing it.

]]> By: latoga http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/comment-page-1/#comment-19662 latoga Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:23:51 +0000 http://grafphoto.com/wordpress/2008/07/04/more-playing-with-hdr/#comment-19662 Mark, I have to join the crowd on this one and say that the PS one is the better one. You might have been able to get the plant color to pop more by saturating the green in it. But overall, it has a more natural feel to it for me even if it is darker in color. HDR results are still a bit subjective for the viewer. If I had only seen the HDR one, I would still have like the shot. But maybe felt it needed to be scaled back a bit as it feels to overdone. As my friend Jon always says: "I push the image just to the point of it becoming obvious and then pull it back a little bit." Mark,

I have to join the crowd on this one and say that the PS one is the better one. You might have been able to get the plant color to pop more by saturating the green in it. But overall, it has a more natural feel to it for me even if it is darker in color.

HDR results are still a bit subjective for the viewer. If I had only seen the HDR one, I would still have like the shot. But maybe felt it needed to be scaled back a bit as it feels to overdone. As my friend Jon always says: “I push the image just to the point of it becoming obvious and then pull it back a little bit.”

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