Spoiler alert, the spider webs in this post do not have spiders in them. So, if spiders creep you out, don’t worry, you can keep reading. This week’s WordPress photo challenge is about light. I was walking through a Christmas tree farm this weekend and I saw these webs reflecting the sunlight:
This image here has been processed as an HDR image using Photomatix. Usually when I am creating an HDR image I have shot my photos using the exposure bracketing feature on my camera. I did shoot the tree using bracketing, but then I was not happy with my results when I got home. The bracketing I had used was an exposure of -1, 0, +1. The +1 exposure was too bright and did not help bringing detail into the merged images. So, in this case, I took my 0 exposure and created two duplicates of that. One I changed the exposure to -0.96 and the other to -1.57. I did this step using Aperture. From there I put my three versions in Photomatix and used the default settings to create the HDR image. Then I opened the image in Photoshop, made a levels adjustment and sharpened the image.
As you can tell from the exposure settings that I used, it was really bright out when I took this photo. So, I did try to cut the light down by using a low ISO and high shutter speed. I could have cut even more light out by raising the f-stop to a higher number. This however, would have brought more of the webs in focus and really what I was after here was to have the ones in the foreground be clear but the ones in the background visible but not sharp.
So, what do you think? would you have guessed this is an HDR image if I had not told you? one of my goals in using HDR in this case was to bring out detail but not over process it, how do you think I did? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Cheers!
Well spotted!
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Thanks 🙂
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I did not notice this was a HDR until I read your technique. Fortunately I only use LR5 and don’t own PSP, otherwise I ‘d be going crazy with all the extra techniques.
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I could have actually created the other exposures in Photoshop but for whatever reason I prefer to do that step in Aperture. I think you would call that a self-inflicted wound. Also, I know Photoshop does HDR, but I tend to be partial to the results I get from Photomatix. I guess the take way here is that there are easier ways to do this, I just do it the harder way 🙂
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I love your spider webs. So pretty! 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Yes, it looks like it was a very bright day when you took the photo, I love the blue sky. I think you did a good job with the processing, Annie
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Thank you, the HDR did a nice job on the sky I think.
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I would never have guessed Amy. An absolutely stunning shot hon and I love how the light reflects on the spider webs. Great post hon! 😀 *hugs*
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Beautiful capture! Love it!
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Thank you 🙂
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Would never have known it was HDR PJB .
Love the light caught on those cast out spiders webs among the spiky needles.
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Thanks, I also really liked the silky look of the web contrasted with the needles.
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So sharp and such a wonderful light:)
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Thanks!
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Capturing that delicate webbing – just beautiful. I’ve tried that a few times when I was out in the woods. It is a tricky process, but so worth it when the sunlight hits it just right.
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Yes, I just love it when I can actually get the picture. In this case, in really needed the HDR, the original exposures just did show what you could see in person.
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I love the way you captured so much light on such a tiny little thread. You have a very good eye!
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Thank you, they were so beautiful glinting in the sun.
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perfect interpretation for this week’s challenge! I love that you explained the process in addition to sharing the photo. 🙂 Great post!
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Thank you 🙂
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