St Mary's churchyard

[Martyn]

My first attempt at HDR. I downloaded Luminance and loaded three shots I took a while ago. The software wasn't happy with the alignment, the pics were taken handheld because I had never even heard of HDR at the time, but I did take lots at different exposures. I ended up only using two photos to create the image, I suppose that's why the sky is left uninteresting. I adjusted contrast and colours in Gimp. For a first try I'm well chuffed but I still welcome your comments!

 

[colinb]

sorry to be negative Martyn but it looks dirty, flat and if you will excuse the pun rather lifeless. The focus is also out but I will put that down to being hand held.

Please don't give up on HDR but I think maybe forget these shots and start again using some 'fresh' material.

 

can I offer up some inspiration...

 

converted from 3 bracket shots 2 stops apart, camera mounted on a tripod

 

 

[Phil]

While I agree with Colin's comments I understand completely your enthusiasm at creating your first HDR. So congratulations 

 

HDR can be a fantastic tool for creating some very impressive images, either realistic or OTT. So stick at it and keep 'em coming!

[NannyFerret]

Martyn, I have been trying with Luminace but just can't get the pics to come out full size after processing, so you've got further than I have with that program.

I have tried altering the size but they are still quite small and I can't for the life of me see what I am doing wrong..

Trying another program now as I am beaten.
Keep going as your first attempt is far better than mine was.

[Martyn]

Thank you all for the encouragement! When I find time I want to go back and re take that shot with a tripod and half decent camera, my picture really doesn't do justice to what I saw with my eyes that day. The three original images on their own are terrible, I had to set the exposure by half pressing the shutter whilst viewing the grass then recompose the shot, then snap it. I did the same with the sky, trees and distance to try and get bracketed shots; that's why I was so excited to get something even visible out of it all. I'm learning new stuff every day thanks to you guys and the wonders of the interweb! 

[Martyn]

Martyn, I have been trying with Luminace but just can't get the pics to come out full size after processing, so you've got further than I have with that program.

I have tried altering the size but they are still quite small and I can't for the life of me see what I am doing wrong..

Trying another program now as I am beaten.

Keep going as your first attempt is far better than mine was.

 

The size had me baffled for a while too. IIRC, there is a box half way down the screen on the left where you can select size from a drop down menu, the default setting is the smallest so you have to set it manually every time.

[NannyFerret]

What size did you use, Martin?  If I put a custom size in the program just closed down, unless I don't have enough memory on the net-book that I was using.

[Martyn]

I just went for the biggest size 'coz I'm greedy!

[NannyFerret]

I will have a another go when I have loaded it back on to the PC, as I had to do a restore and haven't put it back on yet.

[Kobione]

Never even had a go at HDR, Martyn, so well done you, anyway.

[Guest]

HDR can be tricky as you have to take the shots with HDR in mind and then merge them, you also have to choose your subjects carefully, as you can see from Colin's picture the second one works well but the first one has ghost people in it which is a common problem with hdr shots

[colinb]

HDR can be tricky as you have to take the shots with HDR in mind and then merge them, you also have to choose your subjects carefully, as you can see from Colin's picture the second one works well but the first one has ghost people in it which is a common problem with hdr shots

 

 not sure its really a problem, I find in areas such as these where there are many tourists and members of the public the 'ghosting' makes them less defined so you can see the building or subject matter better. Unless of course you are photographing the members of the public