HDR Landscapes

Richard G. · #1 (**permalink**) 18-08-2009, 03:46 PM

I'm generally a lazy sort of person, sadly, and often take landscape shots handheld. Even in high contrast situations, I can usually get away with HDR'ing a single frame processed with different exposures or at worst a basic 2-shot HDR, one metered and one -2EV.

However, recently been reading about the D300's 9-shot bracketing capability and so thought I would manually recreate this on my D80, with tripod for a change, and HDR the series to see what sort of effect I got.

Just processing a few shots from last night. First shot is 8 images -5EV to +2EV in 1 stop steps. Second shot just 6 images -5EV to metered, again in 1 stop steps.

My feelings are that the first one looks relatively natural, though it's still clear the sky has been held back. The second one though really shows the HDR treatment, but I can't really decide if there's any merit in it, or if it's just too artificial.

Any views welcome?

charlieb · #2 (**permalink**) 18-08-2009, 03:54 PM

Love the sky on the first!

I know what you mean about artificial, but then it's art isn't it? You either like it or not, it doesn't matter whether it looks real or not

Richard G. · #3 (**permalink**) 18-08-2009, 04:10 PM

Point taken charlie.
So do you like it, or not?

charlieb · #4 (**permalink**) 18-08-2009, 04:13 PM

Heh, yeah, though I prefer the first - the second looks a bit dark and cold

Richard G. · #5 (**permalink**) 18-08-2009, 04:32 PM

Noted, thank you.
Any more takers... ?
Maybe I should have made this thread a poll...

wrogers · #6 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 03:55 PM

great pictures there richard.

I personally hated HDR, but then found some more natural looking results and I can now see the appeal..

and I love both of your photos, however I'm not sure if it is my monitor, but the area to the left in Pic 1 seems incredibly dark and not like an HDR..

my mind just screams for that area to be a little brighter.

I would say 85% (a little brighter on pic 1, and I would say 90%)

well done..

Now I wish where I live wasn't flat and boring!!

Will

Richard G. · #7 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 05:37 PM

Yeah, I think that's due to the strength of the light smoothing settings I've used in Photomatix to be honest. Transition points, like sky to land, seem to get over exaggerated and in fact I had already used the dodge brush to lighten this area up a bit.

I think it looks more natural this way though, the hills are probably almost silhouette to the naked eye, but perhaps I'm missing the point of HDR really in trying to make these pictures appear natural instead of just accepting that's maybe not what HDR is about.

I'm comfortable with the first image though really, it's the second one where the HDR is really evident. Decided it just doesn't do it for me, but maybe I'll experiment some more. I can definitely see the value in being able to take more than the 3-frame bracket that my D80 is capable of though, just don't know if I'd use it that much.

Red Squirrel · #8 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 11:22 PM

Richard I think HDR is really very subjective, same as most things. You either love it or hate it.
I must admit to not liking HDR but I do like your first picture, it has a dark,brooding feel to it which I find attractive. I like the sun which, I think, brings the picture to life.
As you say, perhaps the second picture is not as natural as the first.

Kayleigh · #9 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 11:27 PM

I have no idea what your on about but whatever you have done the first pic has WOW factor the second is pretty good too..

Richard G. · #10 (**permalink**) 20-08-2009, 08:57 AM

LOL Kayleigh, non-tog opinions just as welcome, thanks

Seems like the consensus is that the 2nd shot doesn't work so well. Whether that's the range of tone or the composition, lack of sun etc, or a combination of things. I tend to agree, but a worthwhile experiment. Hoping to get back to the same area some more over the next couple of weeks, so will keep at it.