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Elan Valley HDR Experiment 2


Elan Valley HDR Experiment 2
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Haynes (PaulH) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-09
Categories: River
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20mm / F 4-5,6 DC EX HSM, CP + ND grad
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-08-29 4:06
Viewed: 3629
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi Everyone,

Thanks alot for the great feedback i recieved on yesterdays HDR experiment, much appreciated. It was interesting to see the divided opinions of you all on this method...personally the jury's still out on it for me.
Today i'm posting another HDR processed image, but this time i think it's a bit better than my previous offering. I've had a bit more of a play around with the software and think i understand it a little more now.
The trouble i find with it is, is that it is tempting to adjust the image too much, because i like the effect it creates. This inadvertantly leads to an unnatural looking scene. I think here, although you can obviously tell it's been manipulated, the result is quite nice anyway, with the texture and tone in the rocks looking quite good.
This was taken on the egdes of what is sometimes called the 'Green Desert of Wales'. It's an area of rolling & relentless open grass and moorland, with very little else to punctuate it. We spotted this little stream winding it's way deep in a cleft in the hillside, so scrambled down to explore it.

Thanks for looking and any more thoughts or comments. I shall be reverting back to orthodox methods after this!
gondox, mohaiminawang, eqshannon, pankajbajpai, Jamesp, vanderschelden, haraprasan, Argus has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Heaven: originalPaulH 1 08-29 04:51
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Paul!

I prefer this one, too. But tell me, what's the advantage of this technique? Could you post the same non-manipulated picture as a WS, in order to be able to compare?

Your picture is fabulous, the rock formations are a dream for a photographer like me! I would love to stand in front of them!

Kind regards

Markus

Another beautiful shot, I just love the colours they are so rich and vibrant. The sharpness is perfect. It really is nature as art. Great work and keep experimenting.

Happy Snapping
Nicki

Hi Paul!

I think this one is an improvement to the other, to me it seems a bit oversaturated, while the previous one was paler. But this one has way more feel of depth and details. It's very 3 dimensional! Was it your intention or not this turned out to be a wonderful painting like image, one that you must be proud of. TFS!

Best regards,
Andor

Hi Paul,
Wow! This is very interesting! Even if I don't quite understand your technique, I must say that I like the result very much! This is original and very well done! Movement, perspective, composition and colors are stunning! Greetings,
Claudine

Hi Paul,

Technology and method to explore in photography is a great idea and for me nothing wrong on it, keep experiment.But your natural touch from your eye and feeling is a big asset. This post is great example on combination the both.Congratulation!many thanks for sharing.

regards
mohaimin

I think it words just fine Paul...Call it a Law of Paul's Photos...no more empirical evidence needed!
Bob

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2008-08-29 6:57]

hi paul,
technology and artistic, both are good in this image. a surrealstic image, will be good for abstract images of nature. tfs.
nagraj.v

hello,paul,
whatever be the hdr or its resembalnce with the natural look of the shot i dont mind looking beautiful shots like this. excellent work, i loved the details , the lighting and the colors,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-08-29 8:30]

Hello Paul,
Another beautiful effect, but I prefer the photo of yesterday. This one looks a bit oversaturated. But the DOF, sharpness and composition are excellent.
Have a great weekend,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-08-29 14:17]

Hi Paul

Great composition - - the cirrus cloud and algae really help draw the viewer into the shot.

TFS

JAmes

Now THIS is a really cool looking HDR shot! You've done an awesome job here, I'm heading out camping up in the bush for the weekend so hopefully I can get some shots to work with, maybe I will post one of them when I'm done, but great job!
TFS

TK

Hello Paul,
Beautiful light. Never tried HDR. Unfortunately. The risk is of course things get a bit unnatural. However I prefer such images to dull images that never went through an editor.
Very good compo through your wide angle lens and you got a nicely done blue sky through HDR and probably also the polarizer and the grad. You are the ewpert:-).
Once again I do like the light!
Well done!
Thanks
Annick

Hi Paul,
Well here is my two cents worth... I prefer the sky in this version but I like the rest of the workshop version better. As Ansel used to say, "I make a picture... not just take a picture"... it is more true now than ever I suppose.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Hi Paul,
Another stunning HDR scenery. Very well captured with lovely composition and colors. Thanks a lot for sharing.

merhaba paul,
renkleri çok güzel bir fotoğraf

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-08-30 14:39]

Hi Paul,
another fab HDR shot!
I really like the effect it makes.
Excellent composition.
Great exposure.
Superb clarity.

Very well done!

Joe

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-09-01 8:18]

Hello Paul,
I had a look at both the images under this theme and of the two I prefer this one, though the first has its merits. Here you made good use of the better lighting and produced a wonderful composition of colours and the trickling stream among the sandstone rocks. The feathery blue sky is an added delicacy.
TFS this delight,
Ivan

Ciao Paul, I don't like HDR on nature photo, your landscape is wonderful as usual, but I prefer original version with fantastic natural colors:), ciao Silvio

Hi Paul,
As I also mentioned in my e-mail. The FG in the HDR version is beautiful. The sky in the untouched version is better. You see that somehow you need to compromise. I like the composition and find the rocks most fascinating. I see that wonderful little singel tree standing on top of the ridge. Did you take any shots of that tree?
TFS,
Niek

Paul,

Superb shot especially for an experiment. The light & detail here are exquisite. The transition from sky to land to rock to water is fluid. Well done!

My wife and I are visiting Wales in September and hope to see scenes like this one. Can you recommend any similar locations of beauty that are not tourist traps?

TFS,
MP

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