This is a sort of continuation of my previous post. Please refer back to it for proper cred to Lee at Tarheel Ramblings for the idea. I was unaware HDR photo editing even existed until he opened my eyes to it. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It is a method of digitally combining several shots of the same image, taken at different exposure settings, to capture as much exposure information as possible out of your camera, and get an image that is more true to life, or even an artsy “truer than life!” (I just made that up. Ha!)
I just downloaded a free HDR program for the Mac called HDRtist. So here is my first effort. This first effort is actually a “fake” HDR because I am only using one image for the tone mapping, instead of several. But at least it is an image taken in RAW format, which captures way Way WAY more digital information than a simple jpeg.
Here is a simple jpeg version of a shot I took this past fall. I actually like it:
And here is an HDR version:
I think I like it more. What do you think?
cool!
Thanks, Mike!
YOU'RE cool! 😎
Your image brings out what I like most about HDR/tone mapping: the ability to create artistic interpretations of images. Sometimes, a life-like version of a scene works best, and you can get that with HDR. But at other times, the ability to create something truly artistic is more appropriate.
I just watched a video of Rick Sammon (Canon Explorer of Light photographer) demonstrating a Photoshop plug-in for creating HDR images. In it he talked about using HDR to move out of the real world into the creative world.
Great first effort, Ferd.
Hey, Lee!
Glad you stopped by, since it's almost all about you! 😉
I'm going to have a lot of fun with this! Thanks to you!
Is it cheating to say that I love both of them?
No! Not cheating! Loving both is good!! 🙂
i wasn't sure if i liked it until i kept comparing. it is alot better. more color. you are always teaching me things and i appreciate you sharing it. thanks cause now i want to try it.
Thanks, Jo Ellen!
It has more color and you can see more detail, like on the rocks, and even pebbles in the water pond.
I'll probably be shooting all my outdoor pics in either RAW format or as a series of auto exposures, so I can use HDR later.
It's lovely!
I've been practicing too… But I haven't got the hang of it yet.
OMGosh, I absolutely LOVE this! It could be a cool album cover, or a poster suitable for framing, or a logo for an eco conscious company.
I will not ruin the thrill or the magic by trying to understand it. Can't wait to see more! 😀