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This is a combination of 3 shots all taken at F8 of the 9,260 foot long west span of the San Francisco - Oakland Bay bridge. (The Humber bridge has a total length of 7,283 feet.) Exposure times were 10, 50 and 120 seconds each. I tried one with 5 exposures but the results looked identical but with more movement in the tug-boat on the left. I can see now that I should brighten it up a bit.
I created a 32 bit image using Photomatix and then I used tone mapping to make a few small adjustments. But in this case I hardly had to move any sliders, as it looked almost perfect from the start. Then I saved to a 16 bit TIFF.
And even in the TIFF file in PS CS, I hardly had to do much to this besides sharpen a few areas, but not the sky or water. So out of all images that I've uploaded to EPZ, this one was the easiest to process!
But that is not always the case with HDR and long exposures.
With PhotoMatix, HDR seems most suited for short exposure times during periods with plenty of strong light. When evening comes, strange things happen to the results. Especially in the sky. While this one turned out to be almost exactly what I saw with my own eyes (minus the long exposure effect on the water), several attempts to combine long-exposure images I took 10-30 minutes earlier under last-light failed completely!
More just below.....
3 shots at F8. 10, 50 and 120 second exposures. No filters seem to be necessary on any HDR I've tried so far.
| Title: | Bay Bridge - HDR |
| Username: | 
PatrickSmith |
| Uploaded: | 22 Jan 2007 - 3:27 PM |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D |
| Lens: | Canon 17-40L @19 |
| Recording media: | RAW ISO 50 |
| Tags: | Architecture, General, Hdr san francisco bay bridge, Landscape / travel |
| Votes: | 173 |
Comments
It seems as though when the light is changing quickly at dawn and dusk, 3 or more shots exposed over a 10 minute period have such highly differing light characteristics that the software can not handle it. I have tried every concievable combination and the results are, well just awful! But maybe I'm doing something wrong.
But on this one, it was nearly dark with just a hint of blue sky in all three images, so it worked out well.
I also processed the middle exposure in this set as a comparison. This one does have a slight edge, as some bright areas are not blown out and the darker areas do have more detail.
I have had some other nice results with PhotoMatix so I am convinced that this will be the only way to go when doing interior, archtectural, urban or high-contrast landscape photography. At least until cameras can directly capture more dynamic range in 1 shot!
It looks darker on EPZ, so how does it look to you?
Patrick
An inevitably impressive image, Patrick, although I'm still struggling to come to a view on this HDR business. Has it taken less time for you to create this using 3 exposures than it would have done if you'd used filters? (Although would you have used filters in this case anyway?)
I can't help thinking that there's a great deal of satisfaction to feel when you're out in the field, assessing the exposure differences, selecting the right filters and producing the image you had hoped to achieve. I wonder if that's all lost when you select three difference shutter speeds and merge them on your PC.
I've seen a number of HDR images where an almost graphic quality is introduced. Some of them are a real pleasure to look at, but I'm not sure how different they are from any other image on which an "effect" is applied.
Looks fine to me too Patrick. You seem to have captured the range of tones, and kept it natural looking.
HDR is something I keep meaning to have a go at. Have downloaded the beta version of the Photomatix software. Would have tried it yesterday morning, but the conditions were such, that actually taking one decent shot was a challenge, never mind 3 (or more) in succession!! Would have had rain spots on filters, movement on tripod, the works!!
Martin
Thanks for looking!
Ian, it did not take much extra time to do extra exposures. Actually, I did 5 sets of them to see how HDR handles long exposures at sunset. Only this one 'came out.' In this case, filters would cause reflection spots from the lights on the bridge so I never use filters on a shot like this once the lights turn on. And you still have to calculate the proper exposure time in order to get 2 stops above and below it. so that doesn't change. Yes, I've seen the funny looking 'HDR's' Some do look like special effects and others look so natural that you forget it is a photograph!
Martin, I would not use filters with HDR, since you want the most dynamic range possible. Then you can use the lens hood.... If you can find it - LOL. (I say that because I had to look around for mine since I've never used it!
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
It seems this HDR stuff really took off during my absence - I'm finding the whole thing quite interesting and enjoyable to read. Your description certainly helps those of us still struggling to make sense of it all.
Whatever you've done you've obviously done well! I'm back to reading.....
Debbie
It looks like the HDR virus hit the bay area..lol..great image Patrick, I been waiting for you to apply the HDR technique on your work and about your exposure times, and i do agree about the use of filters on HDR..Excellento my friend...
alex
i havn't yet got to grips with HDR but the exposure here is spot on as far as i can tell, any extra exposure might well start to blow the highlights in the tug boat, i didn't notice the shadows of the railings at the bottom of the image till i looked at the large version, more to this image than at first meets the eye,facinating stuff.
brilliant range of tones - works well
- my attempts so far have produced very flat results - guess I'm using the wrong images to try it
Thanks for your comments!
Sorry Jouko, it had to be done! Maybe not the ideal subject for HDR but I'm experimenting.
Thanks Debbie, If you ahve questions, don't hesitate to ask, though I'm just learning right now.
Yes, Alex. I was surprized that many local camera club users here have been using HDR for quite some time. I'm going to try it on those row houses that your friend likes. So I may have a new version of those in a couple of weeks.
Terry, it does seem to help by avoiding overexposed areas. I'll be trying this on more contrasty scenes soon.
Sandra (northernlight), You have to make sure you get a wide range of shots. Make sure you significantly over and underexpose at least two of them.
Patrick
This is the best HDR I have seen on here not that I know much about the technical aspect/all I can go on is what I see and this is perfect.
Tom.
MUST be viewed large. There are so many details that vanish in the smaller version.
Patrick, this is an awesome shot. Thanks for showing us what HDR can do for digital photography and especially a big thank you for all the wonderful technical detail you posted in your comments regarding this shot. -=Walter
Great as usual Patrick! I think I need to upgrade my software. I am still only using Photoshop 7. I think HDR is great since it allows us to bring the exposure closer to what the human eye saw, bringing out more detail throughout the entire image.
Thanks Pricey.
Tom, not quite perfect as I should have lightened it a bit. I worked on it at night. Easy fix though. there are better subjects for HDR, but I was curious about this sort of shot.
Thanks Walter The small version definitely lost some detail and looks a little dark too. I'll be experimenting more with HDR from now on.
Dennis, PS 7 is fine. Actually even elements is fine for what I do. Just some brightness adjustments, a few layers from time to time and sharpening. And PhotoMatix does the heavy lifting.
Patrick
Thanks for looking! I can't wait to do more of this HDR work and really produce some images that could not have been done before.
Oops Jouko, did I say 'process?'... I mean 'produce!' ...lol... I'm not sure what the word 'process means considering that I really shoot 1000 pixel jpgs and upload straight to EPZ! LOL! The sky today is so clear that it's almost black... once again!
Thanks Mark, if I could only live up to that high complement. I still have a LOT to learn.
Yes Keith, if that tug was not there it would help. I have a 4 minute exposure that helps the foreground and structure but makes the boat look like a mess. But it is good to see the potential that HDR has on a scene like this. And there are some interesting old rusty 'things' right in front. I can't wait to get some of that stuff that was relegated to the dark corners or older photos into their rightful place, well exposed and right in front!
Patrick
Thanks for your comments!
Yep Keith. HDR did not help this much and actually can hurt scenes with even light where the old way works fine. But I'm starting to see what is possible. It is a wide open frontier out there now. Full of rattlesnakes and gold. Hopefully I can avoid the former and find the latter....
But now I have to retrain myself because I have always looked for the shots that were 'possible' and avoided the rest. Now I'm not sure what is possible, but I do know that the universe has just expanded exponentially.
It is not really too complex Jennn, just start by taking a properly exposed shot then bracket for +1, +2, -1, -2 stop for 5 shots total. Load them into Photomatix (create HDR), do tone mapping and off you go.
Patrick
Patrick, this treatment is so effective, I have been following others HDR images with awe, thanks for all the advice here, shall be having a go soon! The image is delightful, love the reflection and the copper tones, great angle on the bridge too. Well done indeed!
Sarah 
Simply brilliant however complex the technology!
Mike
Thanks for looking!
Sarah, HDR suits what you do perfectly. Time to give it a shot!
Patrick
Excellent Patrick. I must get out and try some sunset-related HDR... Addictive isn't it!!
Patrick,
Thanks for all the info - I havent tried HDR yet - not sure I entirely understand the process (your info helps).
In terms of your image - it looks stunning! - you should be well pleased!
Pete
Thank you for your comments!
Yes Mike. It is. Sometimes the sunset ones do not come out very well, but when they do they look great. This shot isn't the ideal use for HDR, but I just had to experiment.
Martin, it might be the limited range of colours on an rgb monitor. It looks fine in PS CS but here on EPZ I can see a little of it. I'm not really sure.
Try it out Pete. Many things are now possible that were not before.
Patrick
Lovely image Patrick, high quality work, wonderful exposure.
Joe
I like the image disregarding any technical stuff.
How does an ordinary exposure look in comparison?
Simon
Absolutely amazing, a beauty to behold.
Can't wait Patrick shall be seeing this wonderful bridge with our own eyes in May! can't wait....
Anne
Thanks for your comments!
Yes Greg, this was a relatively easy one, though I took shots for over an hour during fading light, but they did not turn out well using HDR. Only this one and the first set (while it was light out) turned out.
I know what you mean Nigel, there were very bright patterns in the water in a few spots despite the long exposures. Even on one 30 second raw file I see them.
Simon, When I processed the middle range image in this set, it came out nearly the same as this, but I did have to brighten up the darker areas. But the single file version had more blue in the sky and more colour in general than this one. I guess I could have saturated this one but I didn't. On this one I learned that when lighting is as even as it is here, HDR helps only a little.
Anne, if you need any pointers on where to go, let me know.
Patrick
Excellent image with brilliant detail and colours.
Christine
Think most of us are learning about Hdr and it uses with different times of the day or night time shots Patrick.
I can see its uses for different scenes and light conditions where normal shooting would not work at all.
I have seen many shots on here where you have mentioned above about the effect it gives in making images really stand out as in Paul stephans work!
And thats a nice effect.
From a personal point of view i have not tried Hdr at night or twighlight but i am glad that you are trying it and we can view the results..
This one today im not sure about, more so the two blobs in the foreground are a tad obvious and are distracting me from the rest of the image..
But its about experimenting Patrick and thats what has to be done..
Cheers
Dave
Thanks for your comments!
Yes Dave, I'm going to be experimenting a lot. I actually reprocessed this one using different raw files and placed it here. It looks better there. The blobs are better!
But still this is not the best use of HDR, and with one RAW file taken earlier with more even light, I nearly get the same results. I have a new one that I'll upload on Monday where I made several tiffs from 1 raw file, then HDR'd it and tone mapped it. My most favourite one yet.
Thanks Suzee, Keep trying. It will be worth it. Especially when you start to see when it helps and when it is easier to use grads or no filter at all. Today is extremely busy and complicated. I'm comparing the results of different linkages using different variables to describe the same group of people. Lots of problems! I just had to do a quick EPZ look.
Patrick
Interesting for the HDR Patrick.Bottom of pic could be cropped I reckon.Nearly there.
Bad HDRs on site seem to produce some attractive coloured sketch type pics so its possible to get a good pic without being good at it LOL.
Brian.
Edit. Just looked at your link- thats a beauty of a shot.
Patrick, this image looks so much lighter on your website. Did you rework it or is this just the difference between websites?
Thanks for looking!
Yes Brian. It is easy to get bad results with HDR. I did get a few nice ones last night that I might upload on Monday.
Dennis (Chamberlain), I used a different set of exposures for the one on my websitre after reading the comments on this image. That is the great thing about EPZ, they see things that you don't see and you can make improvements afterwards.
Patrick
Haven't tried this HDR business myself yet, but I shall have to have a go at some point as it's fascinating!
I think you could have made more of the immediate foreground through the HDR, but I appreciate that wouldn't have worked for the boat. However, it has worked for the bridge, so maybe this is a shot to crop the foreground off?
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