Hdr

[Digifrog]

Hello there

I have a Nikon D80 (plus a few lenses) and also Photoshop CS2 (PC). Both the camera, digital technique & editing software are new to me. Still a complete novice.

With all this, I want to experiment, and get good results with HDR.

Has anyone here taken any wildlife images using HDR? If so can you post a few thumbs? I've recently discovered the beauty of HDR and would love to get similar results. Any advice will be welcomed.

Thank you.

Scott

[Chris_Johnstone]

I've never taken any wildlife shots in HDR mainly because you need to have your subject still for a short time (at least 3 shutter actuations) otherwise you have to make the under- and over- exposed shots in photoshop. Landscapes - fair enough - that's the main HDR realm.

I personally think that a HDR fox or dragonfly would look horrible but then again, I've never tried it and I would like to see the results.

Seasides and sunsets or both combined are the bomb!

Good luck

Chris

[The Black Rabbit]

I toy occasionally with HDR for static wildlife subjects just to keep experimenting in my new hobby!

HDR has the reputation for being all about skies and clouds - I don't think it is useful for just that....
It also has the reputation (deserved probably) for being all about dramatic light strength and radius, with massive contrast - but when you tone map an HDR image, you don't HAVE to go overboard with all that stuff...

For all images below, please click thumbnail and then the image to sharpen and enlarge them to full size.



An HDR weevil (stayed still JUST long enough)!


An HDR Cimbicid Sawfly larva (ditto)


An HDR shot of bluebells taken in a local wood ( has the effect or illusion anyhoo, of incresaing the DOF and light)...


Now I'm more than happy to admit HDR divides the photography world, and many images produced with the technique don't appeal to some / most.

I'm ALL for trying new things though, and adapting new techniques just to see what will happen....

TBR

[richardkm]

I've tried HDR on high contrast images, where I can't get the histogram to balance, e.g. when taking an object against a very bright sky, and had variable success.

Your picture of the bluebells is very sharp and beatifully exposed, but the lack of variability of the light makes it look unreal. To me, highlights and shadows are what give depth and drama to a photo.

[pressld2]

Never thought of using it for wildlife but your Cimbicid Sawfly larva has worked really well.

I've seen a few stunning hdr images of landscapes and building interiors (e.g. the York Minster interior at Vanilla Days : HDR Tutorial: How to create ‘High Dynamic Range’ images using Photomatix) but my meagre half-hearted attempts have been uniformly disastrous. Embarrassingly bad! In spite of the wealth of tutorials out there I've a feeling I haven't understood the process and am doing something fundamentally wrong.

Dave P.

[mh68]

Nice shots Doug

Dave, which program did you use when trying HDR?

I had a brief dabble using a program called "Dynamic Photo HDR" and the results came out ok....free program too (google it and you`ll find it easily).Might be worth a try....

Mark H

[The Black Rabbit]

Thanks Dave and Mark and Richard.

Richard - want to know what I honestly think about HDR shots for wildlife?
In my opinion, in many circumstances, HDR doesn't add that much, and as you say, does produce some "unreal" images.
But...
All a bit of fun though - I do like comparing results from different techniques, and some HDR shots of animals and plants do work out ok...


Likwise - I can be quite satisfied with my salty porage every morning for breakfast, but just occasionally I might throw a blueberry or banana into the bowl - just to see what happens.
I might get it wrong, or I might get it right. No way of knowing unless I have a pop...?

Doug

[zan]

It's just another style to use as far as I'm concerned. You can get some really excellent HDR images, and some that are just cr*p (like most of my attempts!). 9 times out of 10 you'll know you're looking at an HDR image, and whether that's ok or not depends on your views on post processing and where to draw the line.

But that's a *whole* other topic and I don't want to start it up again.

I haven't used HDR for wildlife myself as I usually shoot action shots. However, I think if I'd thought about it in advance it might have been useful on a few trips to e.g. the Farne islands where there are roosting black and white birds (especially on sunny, high contrasty days!). I might give it a shot next time i'm out.

Zan

PS the Cimbicid larvae is excellent

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by mh68

Dave, which program did you use when trying HDR?

I used Photomatix but only dipped my toe in with the free trial version. Thanks for the link - when I next get a bit of spare time I will give Dynamic Photo HDR a try.

Dave P.

[Chris_Johnstone]

I have taken (made) several HDR compositions most of the good ones are up on my site but that's the fruit of about 500+ shots to make them. It's very hit and miss but I really like the results you get in landscapes.

My new flash arrives today... time to play about.

Chris