I love HDR photography. Let me rephrase that. I love to look at HDR photography. Have you ever browsed through Trey Ratcliff’s work? Um, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I am on Google+ and there are tons of photographers on there and they share their work. A lot are HDR photographers. Their work is gorgeous. The locations they shoot at (like Iceland) are breathtaking and they capture them so well.
So I decided I was going to research HDR photography. I have been learning everything my tiny brain can squeeze in the past couple of months. I finally got a tripod, which is pretty much a requirement for HDR, and decided to try my hand at this new genre in photography.
Um, I suck at it.
I don’t know if I just don’t have the right eye for it, if I didn’t choose the right images to convert, or a slew of other possibilities. I keep telling myself not to give up on it. It looks cool and it is kind of fun. Maybe I am used to only seeing the best of the best’s work (Trey has his work in the Smithsonian!) and then comparing myself to that. I have to understand that I am just starting, and I am not at their level.
No matter what it is, I hate sucking at things! I haven’t decided if I am going to drop the idea of trying more HDR or not, but I wanted to share my experience.
If you are not familiar with HDR (high dynamic range), let me tell you about it. It pretty much is when you take multiple images and varying exposure levels and merge them. There are software programs that do this for you, and of course you tweak the levels to your liking. The software picks the best pixels of each of the images and converts them to one image.
So you have the best pixels of the highlights, midtones, and lowlights all in one image. I have a Canon and without help from an outside device I can only take 3 shots in an exposure bracket. There are other ways of getting around it, but I have discovered it creates camera shake and excessive ghosting so I am not recommending them. Nikon users have many options. You can do 5-9 shots depending on your camera model.
So here is a shot at 0 exposure. All of these are obviously SOOC (straight out of the camera).
Here is the shot at -2 exposure.
And here is the shot at +2 exposure.
Now here is the merged HDR image.
See what I mean? Neat concept, I just haven’t gotten the execution down. I don’t know if it is my choice of what to shoot, my composition, or what.
I just may can the whole HDR idea. It may not be my “thing”. But now you know more about it and it might be your thing. After a couple of months, this is the best shot I have taken (and it isn’t really good), so I think I may leave it to others. The jury is still out, though. I don’t like to give up.
And I am linking up with some of my favorite gals for their memes, not because I find this shot worth competing but just to join and have fun. I am unfortunately not inline with any of the prompts, but I want to participate and show them some love. 
So I am sorry, gals.
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli
I think the result looks pretty good! Perhaps your a little bit hard on yourself.
ReplyDeleteI also like the result! I say keep on trying, it does take time to really get the hang of some things! This is something you already have a lot of skill in so I bet if you keep it up, you will create amazing images.:)
ReplyDeleteDon't give up! I actually like the results! I've never heard of this type of photography, but I don't think I'd have the skill to do it. Thanks for sharing it though, because it's pretty neat!
ReplyDeleteLooks really good!! I tried HDR once...and oi...I need to really practice. It's tough!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow perfectionist, I hate to suck! So I completely empathize with your feelings. And yet, I am here to encourage you NOT to give up. If you have an interest in this type of photography, you should stick with it. It does take a lot of practice and skill with post-processing to get a good image.
ReplyDeleteAnd it takes courage to stick with it.
I've tried it before myself and keep coming up short but when I see it done...I'm always in awe. I have an HDR preset in LR (can you tell I'm trying to swing you to the dark side....lol) and it works pretty well.
ReplyDeleteWe've done quite a bit of HDR before there was software to help merge the images. It's a PIA and takes alot of playing around but in the end it's totally worth it. You get a better representation of what your eye actually saw!
ReplyDeleteSo, don't give up. Keep playing around and you'll find something that works for you!
I've been wanting to try HDR lately and have been reading a lot of tutorials on how to do it. How did you edit this? Did you use the "merge to HDR" function in Photoshop, or did you try that photomatix program?
ReplyDeleteI say don't give up. It looks like it'd be fun to experiment, even if the photos don't turn out like you want them. I like the church picture.
ReplyDeleteI went to his site and looked around. MAN is that an amazing photographer. Don't judge yourself after looking at his photos....he's a professional who's done this for how many years?? You're awesome, and your photos inspire others, don't you doubt that :)
Hey what's with the I suck attitude. As much encouragement you've given me and others. I know nothing about this. But I was told never judge your work by others, because you will get frustrated. I know I have to remember that. I just told someone else that.
ReplyDeleteI say like everyone else, keep at it.
I'm not giving up either. I tried RAW. LOL, joke for now.
Thanks for sharing today,
Lori
I always wondered what the whole HDR thing was about--thanks for breaking it down in a way that even my sleep-deprived brain can understand. I think you're being too hard on yourself; like everything, it's going to require practice and I know you're dedicated to giving everything 110% (remember the time you crawled through the mud for a shot? Yeah, that's dedication). Keep up the hard work and you'll be kicking butt and taking names before you know it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I appreciate the explanation. I think it looks really cool; I can't wait to see your images once *you* feel you've mastered it!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job! I just can't learn something new right now. I already have way too much on my photography to do list.
ReplyDeleteI love the shot - I think once you put them all together it is a really great picture!!
ReplyDeleteWM
My nephew does this and his work is amazing too. I've yet to try my hand at it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks for the tips. I'm your newest GFC follower.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great concept and I think a little more practice and you'll have it down. Maybe try a different subject and see how it turns out. The HDR image seems too sharpened for my taste, it's probably just the HDR though. Good try and you're heading in the right direction. Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteDisclaimer: I've never tried HDR.
That looks pretty darn good to me! Keep at it. You're much further along than I am! I'm STILL trying to figure out my camera.
ReplyDeleteI have heard over and over how much practice this technique takes! Don't give up, girl!! You will get there :)
ReplyDeleteThis is new to me. Sounds interesting and I can see how it would be very challenging. I think you are too hard on yourself. I love the soft colors in the sky.
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep at it. May be take a break and revisit it later? That often works for me ;)
Hope you are having a lovely holiday!
I love how this looks! I'm inspired to give it a try myself. I have chosen HDR as one of the filters on my camera360 app, but I didn't know what went into making it that way manually.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you wanna see some insane HDR photography? Check out Steve (http://steverichcollectible.blogspot.com/) I just stumbled upon him recently. Breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE HDR! It's so awesome! This turned out great!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is amazing! I hadn't heard of hdr yet, but I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the way HDR looks also! I could look at HDR pictures and never get tired of them! I think you did a great job! I have to try it myself!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of it but never tried it- your picture looks good- almost glowing.
ReplyDeleteI have seen HDR photos that I really like, but I have yet to explore it. After reading your post I think I'll just wait.
ReplyDeleteI am learning so much about digital photography (composition, exposure, lighting, product, portraiture, process of elimination and the list could go on and on and on) that I just keep working on it vs. throwing something else on my plate.