I tried to indicate my HDR bread was much less than amazing. I simply thought it might be a good opportunity to try out HDR while taking the bread shots because bread holds so much detail and texture. I was curious to see what would happen.

It turned out that I totally over did the effect. I posted a couple of the bread shots which I know won’t be used in the magazine in an HDR gallery on the phanfare site: http://dps.phanfare.com/album/585435/827032

I also posted one example of a somewhat urban landscape at sunset with the original 5 exposures and the resulting HDR to give you an idea of what can done. Also not an amazing photo, but I like the effect, as unreal and unlike the original that it is.

–Michael

SS, on our next show, we talk with an expert about what makes some HDR images look so surreal, and how to control that effect if you’d like to keep them looking more realistic.

I don’t think, though, that just because an image looks hyper-real that it can’t be good - there’s a lot of great impressionistic and abstract art that succeeds. It’d be boring if everything looked like we see it with our eyes. Do you like B&W photography? I have to confess, I think some HDR is AMAZING!

Are we seeing too much HDR right now? Well, it is a hot ticket these days. But something else will come along to capture our imaginations soon enough…(3D photography?). In the meantime, I look forward to playing with HDR myself…it’s one of the few things that might get me to shlep around a tripod!

Larry, I see you’re an HDR fan - I think your shots are brilliant. Really great work. They are works of art in my eyes.

Landya - ARRGGH - my bad! I totally forgot that we talked about a prize from XRite. I’ll think of something. Now you have ANOTHER reason to listen to show 87!

Thanks again for taking the time to write.

Not sure you mentioned how we go about entering the contest for XRite’s Eye One Display 2 monitor calibrator? That is an awesome prize you scooped for your listeners! And, of course, I am eager to enter ANY and ALL DPS contests! ILFL! (”I love free loot.”)

So, once again, thanks a lot for all the feedback!

Very interesting that you had some comments on HDR. I have been doing some occasional experimenting with HDR since last fall. As you said, Michael, the tonemapping is the major challenge ´and it takes quite some practice to get it right. Also, the post-processing (in Photoshop/elements) is the CRITICAL BIT. I usually set my D200 to do 5 exposures (preferably on tripod, but handheld sometimes works) at -2,-1, 0, +1, +2: this is where exposure bracketing on aperture priority works a treat on the D200. Some folks prefer the artsy shots, some prefer to enhance the clarity of a shot through extended dynamic range. There is a lot of discussion on the forums as to ‘what is real HDR?’. My take: HDR is whatever works for YOU. And never forget that HDR will not make a good shot out of a bad shot! I can recommend a couple of links on how to do it: Stuck in Customs has the best HDR tutorial and also includes a link for a photomatix discount coupon. http://stuckincustoms.com/2006/06/06/548/. Flickr also has a lot of HDR ideas in its HDR group (Joerg Dickmann, James Neeley, are among the best contributors. Pete Carr does some amazing stuff and has a good tutorial in http://www.vanilladays.com/hdr-guide/. Finally, take a look at some of mine - to see what a novice like me can get up to: it’s a lot of fun and has added a brand new dimension to my enjoyment and appreciation of photography - so that has to be a good thing - right? Most, but not all, are HDR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eldubyer/. That said, I cannot profess to be a good photographer, so don’t dismiss the ‘HDR Craze’ based only on my efforts.

Very much looking forward to hearing your comments and insights as you get into this cool field of digital photography.

Best,

Larry

SS