photo sharing: HDR

[bostran1]

Here is another one from the top of the Contemporary at the California Grille. This is NOT an HDR, just a long exposure night shot. Its best viewed large so click on the picture to get to it. Or just click here.

 

[Disneynut322]

Beautiful pictures Ben! Keep them coming!

 

[DVC Jen]

Ok I have to learn how to do that. That is SOOO cool.

Great shots - fantastic job.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Holy cow those are good!!!

 

[LMarge]

The photo from the top floor at the Cali Grill is stunning! Great work and thanks for the inspiration!

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Here is another one from the top of the Contemporary at the California Grille. This is NOT an HDR, just a long exposure night shot. Its best viewed large so click on the picture to get to it. Or just click here.

Gorgeous photo, bostran1!

 

[bostran1]

Thank you very much, everyone. I will hopefully put a lot more online very shortly but it is a time-consuming process!

 

[bostran1]

Here are a few more...
The rest can be seen here on my Flickr page

Taken from out balcony at All-Star Sports


Lights, Motors, Action


I also got engaged while down there, here is a picture of it happening

 

[bostran1]

Just a quick top for the update.

 

[disneyaggie]

Anyone know anything about this camcorder? I am sniffing out some camcorders and this one seems to pop up. I saw the quality of a Sony HVR-Z1u and it was AWESOME! However, I don't think they make that model anymore.

I would love to hear some advice and comments regarding the Sony HDR-UX7. Thanks!

 

[bostran1]

I finally found some free time this weekend to walk along the Charles River and take some photos of the Boston skyline. Below is a 3-exposure HDR I made. What does everyone think? Do you think I overdid it a little? Anyway, I'm looking for any input or critiques you have for it.

Here you go. But you might want to view it large. Thanks!

 

[crazydadguy]

I like it! I just started messing with HDR, and I don't have a graphics program to do it for me. Good Job!

 

[SharonLowe]

It is a nice view of Back Bay but I have to say I am not a fan of these HDRs that don't reflect reality. I'm not picking on you as many seem to be doing them. But, to me they seem overly saturated - the blues in particular seem too blue and artificial. There is an almost cartoony feel to them when the process is designed to bring out more reality in the image - what our eyes saw without limit to what our cameras can capture in one image.

But, if you like the look, this is a very nice one. I might have liked a closer view near the Citgo sign to get more of the downtown buildings.

 

[bostran1]

It is a nice view of Back Bay but I have to say I am not a fan of these HDRs that don't reflect reality. I'm not picking on you as many seem to be doing them. But, to me they seem overly saturated - the blues in particular seem too blue and artificial. There is an almost cartoony feel to them when the process is designed to bring out more reality in the image - what our eyes saw without limit to what our cameras can capture in one image.

But, if you like the look, this is a very nice one. I might have liked a closer view near the Citgo sign to get more of the downtown buildings.

Sharon,
I agree that many HDRs (including the one above) distort reality. To an extent, they can make for some interesting shots. But they can also be over the top. I had originally set up closer to the Citgo sign on the Harvard Bridge but there was a building blocking part of the sign so I decided to cross the river.

Here is another one I tried to make more realistic. From what I remember, it is just about spot on. The trees on the Esplanade might be slightly darker in the picture than they were that day. Other than that, I tried to edit it to show the clouds and sky as well as the buildings and Esplanade. Think it worked?



I brightened up the trees on the Esplanade on this one.


Here is the link to the rest of the set.

 

[mikamah]

I love your pictures. I know nothing about making HDRs, but I do like the look of them. They inspire me to get my butt into boston and use my camera. I don't have much free time without my impatient 5 year old, but I need to plan a day in the near future to get out there on my own. Thanks.

 

[DVC Jen]

Nice job.

I really need to work on this - there just seems to be so many things that I want to work on.

I understand what Sharon is saying - but I personally like the look and feel of them. Very 3-D.

 

[bostran1]

Thanks everyone. I think there are times when a fake-looking HDR can be pretty impressive too. I just love what it can do with clouds. Especially on the day like the one I shot above.

If you guys are interested in experimenting with HDRs and not having to pay, Photomatix is great software. That's what I always use. They have a free trial that will put a watermark on whatever you make but it is fun to play around with.

 

[DVC Jen]

Thanks everyone. I think there are times when a fake-looking HDR can be pretty impressive too. I just love what it can do with clouds. Especially on the day like the one I shot above.

If you guys are interested in experimenting with HDRs and not having to pay, Photomatix is great software. That's what I always use. They have a free trial that will put a watermark on whatever you make but it is fun to play around with.

how much is it? do you remember? I have really wanted to start playing around with this. It would be so cool if I could get it all figured out before storm season next spring.

 

[DVC Jen]

guess I could just go to the site and look myself huh.

 

[bostran1]

guess I could just go to the site and look myself huh.

Haha, I suppose you could just follow the link. But its $99 and is for Apple and Windows machines.