stu-truman.. are my pics getting better??

[exdos]

Tom,

I don't understand why HDR, as a processing technique, should get a bad reputation: it's a bit like saying that most acrylic paintings are bad because they've been painted with acrylic paint, when the real problem is that most art is just badly executed due to lack of talent/skill. Surely, it doesn't matter how an image has been produced, it should be judged on the final result on how the subject matter has been portrayed? Is it worth looking at?

I took both these photos as single shots with my little £80 Dimage Xg. I didn't have a lot of time to set either of them up and composed them in the viewfinder in the ambient lighting conditions. I simply positioned myself to frame the photos in the way that I thought would produce an interesting picture.

I've devised my own way of producing multiple images from a single shot and then I process them as HDR images in Photomatix Pro. I always adjust each photo individually and never use "batch" settings. Personally, I think they are "believable", although a bit stylised (which I want) rather than over-processed. I like to put a small black "frame" around a photo. Please feel free to criticise


Monument Valley




Bulldog on a bench in Stockholm

 

[inkey$]

Here you go Beedub. This is a pretty good site to see some great car photography.

http://www.petrolicious.com

This example from that site is quite 'graphic' and shows you how the position of the camera, car, light, appropriate range and complimentary environment all work together.

This is what I mean when I say look what's out there, copy and just have fun. After all, that's what it's all about

Looking forward to seeing more of your results

By the way, have you looked at a Flickr account. Resolution options better there I think.

 

[sp3ctre]

This is what I mean when I say look what's out there, copy and just have fun. After all, that's what it's all about

Sorry, I have to disagree on that photo, I think it works for a magazine cover like your previous example but other than that the composition is horrible. This is a better one IMO:

 

[Stuart Truman]

Composition is definitely a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing.

I like both the example pics Inkey$ showed, but would have the car entering the frame, not exiting. I guess it's that use of space thing, as a standalone pic I think the cars are on the wrong side, with the text they are spot on.

 

[exdos]

Byron,

IMO, these days, now that we have digital photography, the best photographers are also the best at photo manipulation. I certainly don't claim to be an expert or even good at photography but I do realise that rarely do the photos that you download from your camera look their best without some help from software.

I've singled out one of your photos which I thought would lend itself to a bit of help, so I've downloaded it to my Mac and spent about 5 minutes manipulating it, and to me it considerably enhances the result. What do you think? Is what I've produced the sort of result you were hoping for when you took the photo?

 

[exdos]

Composition is definitely a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing.

You will never see a painting composed like either of those Inkey$ has posted hanging in any serious art gallery.

 

[exdos]

Byron,

Here's another for you.

 

[Beedub]

i really love HDR images, i think they look fantastic......

 

[inkey$]

Composition is definitely a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing.

You will never see a painting composed like either of those Inkey$ has posted hanging in any serious art gallery.

Not sure about that (as an art history graduate!), but I guess you could say mine are more graphic, non- standard compositions.

 

[shawna]

Great thread guys.

Would love to know how to take better images of my cars.

I really like the industrial look setting if you know what I mean.

Any hints and tips appreciated.

Have a cannon 450 dslr.

S