I do like HDR photography. It can be used in a variety of ways to create some really unique images. My photo today though is using HDR to just capture as much detail as possible:
ISO 100 50mm 0ev f/7.1 1/400
This photo was taken at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis. I just thought this was a beautiful marker. What I wanted to capture was as much of its detail as possible. I used a bracketed exposure on my camera. So, I have three photos that are the same except one is lighter, one is darker, and one is in the middle. I put these three exposures together using Photomatix. Photomatix then offers a bunch of options and there is a lot you can tweak in the image. For this image I am using a setting that provides detail while still looking like a standard photo. What do you think? Feel free to comment below.
I am thinking of going back to Bellefontaine to try to get some infrared images. I will be using an IR filter on my camera. Do you do this type of photography? have some tips for me? please leave them in the comments.
Photography Journal Blog 
No tips, just admiration for your beautiful capture. 🙂
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Well thank you very much 🙂 I appreciate you taking the time to say so.
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You have encouraged me to give HDR a try one of these days! You can see so much more detail. Lovely day to you.
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You should, I think a lot of the work you do would lend itself to HDR. If you are using Photoshop CS6, go to File-Automate-Merge to HDR Pro and see what you think. I like the results from Photomatix better, so I use that more often. They have a trial version that you could check out as well. Have a great weekend 🙂
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I too am using HDR more and more for it’s ability to render more detail.
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Yes, sometimes it does make a big difference, even if you are not going for a super dramatic look.
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I like the detail. It looks like celtic knots.
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Thank you, I was also drawn to the design that is on this marker.
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Joesph Gilbert would be rather pleased I imagine with his enhanced image PJB 🙂
Good work there .
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I hope so, or at the very least hope he wouldn’t mind 🙂
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🙂
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That’s a very Scottish design!
The photo is so clear, it’s almost as if you’re actually there, seeing it for real.
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And it is so much clearer than either of the three exposures used to make it 🙂
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You did an amazing job capturing detail, I love the subject you chose. The shadows add an interesting touch.
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Thank you very much, I liked the shadow as well.
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Looks like I need to save some money for Photomatix download! The marker came out just perefect! Thanks for the resource!
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You are welcome. There is a trial download, so you could always try it first. Also, if you are a student, there is a student discount.
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I also use HDR to bring out detail in some photos. Sometimes it’s also fun to play with the settings to get a more dramatic look, but mostly I use it sparingly.
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Yes, I generally going the sparing route, although I will admit to going overboard sometimes.
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I love the depth of this photo, and that you can really see each blade of grass. Can you explain to me what HDR is? Also is photomatrix a software program other than photoshop? I am looking into purchasing an editing software but a little tenative about the cash outlay. I wish I could find one around the $30 mark just to try it out and get my feet wet. But even the more basic editions of photoshop seem to be about $70-80.
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Here is a post where I wrote about HDR: http://wp.me/p2owKx-jV HDR=High Dynamic Range. So say, three of the exact same photo just the exposure is different. Check to see if your Rebel does exposure bracketing, that would be the base of an HDR image. Then in post editing, you merge them. Photomatix, hdrsoft.com, does this type of editing only, so probably not want you are looking for. If you are technically savvy, try gimp.org, it is free editing software. Do you have a Mac? look into the Aperture app. Which Photoshop are you considering? Thanks for liking the photo 🙂
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