How is this for HDR (Challenge Yourself Added)

[Iwan Bogels]

Hi all,

Just tonight I sorted some old photos and started fiddling about with HDR. This I hadn't done for a long time. My goal was to make the shots a bit more lively, vivid or sparkling without going over the top. But when I started playing I got so many different results that it's hard to determine if I made the right combination in the end.

Can you guys give me some feed-back, as I seem to be blinded by looking at it so long. For your info: I used Photomatix Pro 3.0.

Curious regards,
Iwan

[Kees van der Velden]

Iwan, please stop teasing us with shots that are beyond the reach of us, mere mortals.
On a more serious note I think it's a wonderful picture and indeed not over the top, because in my opinion HDR is a trick which was very fashionable for a time but seems to be on the way out. It may be nice for some pictures (i.e. nature, old abandoned cottages, etc.) but it doesn't add any value at all to technical subjects like planes, cars or ships.
It might be a good idea to post two shots, the original "normal" picture and your HDR version, so people can compare the two and give a more thorough evaluation. I'm curious

[CONDOR]

I agree with Crizz, it says it all for that very moment.

[wild weasel]

The picture its self is a beautifull one, to begin with. Now for the HDR, i think the result is great. not too much, but in a very chique way....personally i think i would have putted a slightly bit more exposure, but that of course is a matter of taste....all in all a joy to watch, especially due to the movement in the picture...

I have to disagree with Kees by the way......HDR can actually add a whole lot of value to mechanical things like cars or planes, but doing that i prefer them static and not in motion. Kees his suggestion to post the original besides the HDR, is a good one, so we can all see the difference.

I do HDR very rarely, but when i do, I use NIK software HDR pro. Maybe it's good to check photomatix pro 3.0 and do a tryal version, cause it looks pretty natural

Thanks for sharing

[Iwan Bogels]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your comments. And of course “my sincere apologies” to Kees for teasing him.

I realize that by not showing the original I trigger you to give me your unprejudiced opinion about this particular shot. And that’s exactly what I was after. When I give you the original and HDR together, people will start comparing instead of giving their unbiased opinion.

So far the critiques were pretty positive. I will post another HDR-trial to see if the first one was just a lucky shot, or if I did manage to find the right way to use HDR without overly exaggerated effects. Can I ask for some more opinions ?

In a couple of days I will post the originals too, so people will be able to see what changed, and which they like better. For now I’m just curious about your opinions regarding the use of HDR-technique in these photos.

Kees, this is probably going to hurt again. But one day I will make it up to you….

Cheers,
Iwan

[Spooky]

Hi Iwan,

The last photo is a bit over the top to my liking. The plane is now very "spotted" and the afterburner is sticking out too much.

Just my unbiased 2 cents
Anno

[wild weasel]

Hhhmmm Iwan, this is starting to tease me too now The picture anyhow is again very nice! It seems like a tigermeet special paint with this HDR more contrasty like picture, but i still think the image can have it. True what spooky says, but to my opinion it makes this one really strong....

Cheers

Menno

[dinovandoorn]

Hi Iwan,

Well some nice HDR results ! the first one is the winner for me because it still looks very natrual, the second one i see some highlight effects behind
the main gear witch tell me it is a HDR picture. That is the most difficult part not to have these highlights with HDR. The weathered effect looks superb !!
Keep them coming

[phkza]

I think both pictures are awesome. Especially the 'grey aircraft on grey carrier' turns into an almost 3D-like experience. Great job!

[dinovandoorn]

Could not resist to drop one as well just show what HDR can do ( wait for 5 seconds )

[evhest]

In my opinion, a lot of folks use HDR as a way to improve pictures while it should be used to add a certain vibe or feel to a picture, as a way of expression. I for one, like the non-HDR pic of the Viper a lot more. A lot of distraction in the HDR-version.

[RogierV]

@Iwan: getting curious to see the normal versions of the shots now.

@Dino: I think the GIF shows the difference in lighting quite well, but the difference in quality (especially noise) is not clear as the GIF version of the normal shot is also low quality.


I tried making HDR shots a while ago too, but decided to go the extreme way (instead of above 'natural' style). Very noisy pics as result.

[Iwan Bogels]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your comments. And a special thanks to Dino's "remarks for improvement". Dino's HDR-work has been the main inspiration for me to try this technique again. Now I'm curious as to how to get rid of the halo around the main gear in the second shot, possibly without loosing the desired overall HDR-effect. I have saved the Photomatix settings for the two shots above, so I can share, if necessary.

@ Rogier, I will upload the requested comparing shots before the weekend. I just need to prepare the animated GIF's like in Dino's shot. As said, my goal was to "pimp" the original shots in a way which wouldn't make it an abvious HDR.

@ Anno, you will be surprised by the color of the "spots" and burner in the original version of the second shot.

@ Elmer, your remark was the exact reason for me to post the HDR-shot only. If you don't see the original, you will have to decide about the presented shot only.

Below you will find three more shots of the Truman trip. As you can see the weather was horrible, with pooring rain and extremely low light. I wonder if people can tell me if any of the three shots below are HDR (if so, which one). Comments are also very welcome. Sorry Kees.....

[dinovandoorn]

haha tricky question Iwan... because they are looking real natrual to me !
But my gues is picture 2 and 3 ?!
But the funny thing on HDR is that not all pictures are suitable for HDR... and what i noticed is you have the best results on grey planes...
most of the time i create a HDR and afterward i will do some little levels and shadowhiglights to get the my results. So you can do less HDR on the original
with less "Highlights" effect.

[evhest]

I would say pic 1& 3 are HDR.

@Dino: you mention 'best' results, but isn't HDR very subjective? Maybe it just has the most effect on grey subjects?