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My computer spontaineously rebooted itself once again today so I may not have much EPZ time today. I am getting a new computer. I'm getting shaky already...
This memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. in San Francisco features text from some of his speeches along with roaring falls and misty spray. You can go to the right behind the falls to read text in several different languages. My ears were ringing after standing here for about 15 minutes. There was a dramatic red sunset behind the camera, which helped warm up the light in this scene. And warm spotlights added good tones to the falls.
Martin Luther King Jr. made a major contribution to race relations in the US that can not be understated. Before his time, racial segregation was common in schools, transportation, drinking fountians, etc. This is no longer the case, though much work needs to be done before everyone is truly colour-blind.
I am now convinced that HDR is the way to go when it comes to indoor and city photography. Grads are useless here with the jagged 'horizon', and the contrast is extreme. Any single exposure viewed alone is quite unattractive.
You still need to wait for those few minutes at dusk where the natural light and artificial light are even for the best results. It is amazing how close this is to what I saw with my eyes. The sun set behind me and there was a walkway overhead, making the foreground granite darker than the brighter buildings and sky.
Make sure that the brightest areas of the shortest exposure look good, and that the darkest areas of the longest exposure look good.
5 exposures ranging from 20-210 seconds HDR tone mapped
| Title: | MLK Falls HDR |
| Username: | 
PatrickSmith |
| Uploaded: | 5 Feb 2007 - 3:16 PM |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D |
| Lens: | Canon 17-40 @18 |
| Recording media: | RAW ISO 50 |
| Tags: | Architecture, Francisco, General, Hdr, King, Luther, Martin, San |
| Votes: | 169 |
Comments
Haa! FIRST ; )
Way much better, than your first HDR, Patrick, if I dare to say so...???
....though I know nothing about HDR thingy!
Jouko
LOL Jouko, the bridge one or the reflection one?? Definitely try more HDR's. But you will have to choose high contrast situations where you want more detail in the darker areas. With all that snow, I'm not sure how HDR's will turn out.
Patrick
A spectacular scene with the master's touch!
Well done, Jennnnnnnnn
Hmmmm.....Has the masters touch written all over it as Jenn says.....Excellent stuff as always Patrick!
Ade
much prefer this composition to the previous San Francisco HDR picture. Although I think I prefer the sky colour in the other one (there's no pleasing some people
Mike
Excellent image with great warm colors and the feel of the falling water. It's one of the rare situations were movement works in HDR.
Antonio
Quote: You still need to wait for those few minutes at duck
... this is where I am probably going wrong, I keep waiting for DUSK ... LOL
Another fine piece of HDR Patrick, definitely comes into its own in this type of environment.
Paul
I'll be the fly in the ointment and say that although the HRD works...although it's a bit flat...compositionally it's a bit of a scrambled egg...at this size. I've no doubt that you can read the text at some size but not at 1000 pixels which leaves the image with no focal point.
Now I know the clan will pounce on me - but it's the truth as I see it.
This is just soooo bloody good, The HDR works superbly well here, that's because it has been done in the proper manner. The timing of the shot is perfect to get the wonderful balance in the natural and artificial light. A cracking shot Patrick with a very informative script too.
CLIX
Better??? The whole HDR thingy! It´s better! LOL.....HDR-Avanto would be a great success! LOL...
I have this one HDR thingy on my machine...It´s a shot of world´s BIGGEST WOODEN CHURCH, BUT for my eyes only! LOL......
Jouko
love the spray, and effect with the lights
superb work !!
beautiful
Nikki
Thanks for your comments!
Jennnn and Ade, I don't know if I can live up to that one.....
Mike I know what you mean. This was a little earlier than the last one so the sky was a brighter blue here. As it got darker, the contrast was going up because the lights were starting to overpower the scene. So a darker sky could not be had here.
Yes, Tony. And it does work well with longer exposures. Sometimes the water is not quite as smooth as in one exposure though.
LOL - Paul. Oops, I let out one of my little secrets of long expoasure shooting. But I've made the correction so that nobody else will know!
Yes Keith, the text is supposed to be the focal point. You can see it it the full sized version but not here. And the text is totally blown out in all but the shorest exposure. So HDR really did the job. 'the clan?' Oh, the irony!
Thanks Tony.
Patrick
I'm almost too jealous to comment.
Fantastic tonal range that totally justifies the use of HDR. I'm trying to achieve a similar effect manually in PS with multiple exposures but this image really makes you realise what can be achieved.
Love it.
Mark
"I am now convinced that HDR is the way to go when it comes to indoor and city photography. Grads are useless here with the jagged 'horizon', and the contrast is extreme. Any single exposure viewed alone is quite unattractive."
Valid point,like the quality of the image---if not the composition.
Hi Patrick,
I love the tones,reflections,motion,timing and the hdr thingy.I like how you can see what must be the MLK information behind the waterfall,ok i can't make it out,but it lets me see what you are telling us about in your description,i'll never be over to see it,so thankyou.Excellent image.
Take care.Ann
Like this Patrick, nice look to the water, also with HDR and long exposures you tend to get more than normal noise, you have managed to avoid this.
Simon.
Thanks for your comments!
Mark, sometimes the 'multiple exposures from one original' technique works. Especially on shots where there is just a little too much contrast. I'll show a perfect example of that next time.
Glad you agree Kim.
C'mon out Ann. You must see this place!
Yes Simon. I have noticed extra noise on some of my attempts. It usually goes away when I desaturate the original RAW files and create TIFF's from them before I bring them into PhotoMatix.
Patrick
Too technical for me too,excellent work here Patrick a wonderful image love it.
Mo.
I love the gold lighting, especially the way it hits in the f/g. This is so pleasing to look at, and for me that's all that really matters.
Lisa
As you say, HDR for this type of environment will be the exact tool for the job. This does show off what HDR can do so very well. It would be interesting for you have posted your "best" single shot for comparison.
Compositionally, perhaps this is not your best (I would still be over the moon if it was mine!), but you have set such high standards. Not sure about the waterfall just coming in from space.
But as a vehicle for HDR - perfect.
Martin
Most of the above comments are way outside my sphere (not difficult some might say )I just think its a great shot.
Ron
Have to agree with the comments about the composition, but the execution is flawless IMO as usual.
Martin
Thanks for looking!
One day soon I think Maddie at the rate you're going!
It is not too difficult Mo, though it does take practise.
Thanks Lisa. I like the lighting too.
Martinl, there really was not a 'best single shot' They ranged from 'almost all parts black' to 'almost all parts blown out.' The middle one shows blown out buildings, falls and sky and very dark rock in front. Even that one has only small bits properly exposed.
(both Martins - lol) I will be searching for city compositions with more open space if I can find them. It is very dense in there.
Patrick
Great lovely colours.
P.S. HDR and snow is tricky on the other side is snow always tricky
Peter
..............perfecton in everyway..getting to be the Master of the HDR images.....bravo my friend...
alex
As Keith says it lacks a focal point but the HDR has worked well for the exposure.
Still, at least you're having a crack at HDR, I'm still plugging away with grads...
...for the moment anyway.
Technically a good example of what HDR can do but I have to agree with a few of the comments on composition, Patrick.
You're lucky to have such a great city to practice on though
Cheers, Paul
Pity you didn't get a few clouds in the sky, loads of detail though and a pretty overall light.
Thanks for looking!
Kris and Paul, too bad you could not see the full sized version. Then the text would jump out at you.
Paul, it is a great 3D city with lots of angles, but packed with people. And no 700 year old Cathedrals either!
LOL Terry, show me some decent clouds and I'll shoot them! We may get a little rain later this week though. I'm hoping for the best.
Patrick
Hope it isn´t new Lovsan worm!??
I remember, when that d¤%¤ worm settled to my computer! Rebooted many times a day...
Jouko
Great composition Patrick! Hope the computer doesn't get too temperamental!
Awesome capture Patrick wonderful use of shutter speed with excellent colours and light.
Mark.
Still haven't got around to trying this HDR process, but like you said it's the way to go for this type of shot. Superb image btw.
Mark.
Fabulous lighting Patrick - looks like you've cracked this system.
This looks really good!
You are obviously getting the hang of this technique.
Excellent image.
Simon
I agree with Angela and Simon...definately got the hang of this!
gill
Thanks for looking!
I hope you are right Jouko!
Sandy (cameragirl), It has been good for the past 2 hours. So far so good...
Try it out Mark. You won't go back, in these sorts of circumstances.
Slowly but surely Angela, Gill and Simon...
Patrick
I like the detail throughout this shot Patrick. As to HRT, with a few exceptions (and I regard this shot as one of the exceptions), I still feel many are tonally flat. I think I will wait a while before dipping my toe.
Nigel
Always amazed at the quality and crispness of your pics..hdr has taken them to another level
Chris
Stunning light and exposure Patrick.Quality again.
Tom.
technique aside this is a very fitting image to a great man both in mood and overall colour.
Another outstanding image Patrick, excellent quality, colours and light
This is jaw dropping, Patrick. It looks like youre perfecting the art/process of HDR. My hat goes off to you.
I often read your comments in regards to the lifeless skies you have in California. I feel your pain with living here in Pennsylvania. What I wouldnt give for the skies they get on the other side of the pond.
Eric
You have certianly got to grips with this HDR! Qualiy stuff.
Ted
Hey Patrick. The HDR work make this image appear as if I am there, looking at it with my own eyes.
Good grief...this is sublime, Patrick. You've not just captured the scene but the 'feel' too. Very transportey...
A
As usual Patrick, superb clarity of detail front to back and I very much like the way that the waterfall has been rendered. Yes, a classy shot.
John
Hi Patrick, my mum was telling me about this HDR thing the other day...as I haven't been on here for what seems like months! Looks amazing and the lighting on the misty water gives it a wonderful atmosphere!
Charlotte
Thanks for looking!
I know what you mean Nigel. Give it a try though.
Thanks Eric, but at least you get rain and clouds year round!
Thanks Dennis. That is the idea I suppose. To make it look like what you see. In a way it is unremarkable because it just looks realistic.
Try it out Charlotte. Don't forget your studies though!
Patrick
What a great exposure Patrick, simply stunning shot, Adrian
As you know I am no expert on this technique at present (!)and I can see a fair bit of work has gone into this but my first impression on seeing this is that it looks a little too 'washed out', even dare I say it, almost a tad 'overexposed'. To my eyes if the lights were on the image as a whole would be a little darker. This is purely my initial reaction and only you were there to see and try and replicate the scene....
Mark
Awesome detail Patrick. I must take a look into this HDR stuff, I did intend to leave it till I needed to but it's probably worth playing now.
Chris
Thanks for your comments!
Mark, the nice thing about this is very little work went into it. The tricky part was getting the full exposure range right. I'll probably add some contrast to part of the scene, since others have noticed what you just did. That should remove the flatness. I deliberately chose a difficult scene to see what HDR could do. The lights and other bright areas were very bright and were blown out on all but the darkest image.
Definitely look into it Chris, you won't go back under certain circumstances.
Patrick
I think most people are used to the limited exposure latitude of an image captured by film or a digital sensor in which less shadow and highlight detail is shown. Since they are used to seeing these limitations in a photo, when HDR is used to create an image closer to what is "real", it is less accepted. I like the idea of HDR, but it's very interesting to see the reactions of people when they actually reject a photo that is closer to what the human eye detects and prefer the limitations of the camera. I guess it's the same as the introduction of color photography. People were probably reluctant to accept color although, it moved us a step closer to reality. It should have more contrast in regards to the way we are used to seeing a photograph, but this image represents something closer to what the human eye would see. Maybe we are not ready for reality?
Patrick.....You did a wonderful job capturing the falls and the aura of this historical monument.
The warm light and glow of the falls you've produced is remarkable, you sure are mastering this HDR....Well Done!
Have a nice Wednesday.......Suze
Thanks for your comments.
Yes Dennis. You could be right. I am used to seeing more contrast in a shot that what I see with my eye. It may take a while to get used to this. I'll keep workign on it. I have moer planned.
Suzeee, still a long way to go I think, but thanks!
Patrick
Man, these are so good...
it's hard to say in a new way how good this is when 100+ people have said it before you. Your photos are always a pleasure to view!!!
Thomas
Hello Patrick!
Very nice info will keep that in mind, thanks. Very nice smoke effect on the water and everything looks so clear and lovelly. Well done again.
denka
this is a truly an amazing scene, so very well accomplished.
Beautiful Patrick, love the milky misty water. An inspirational capture for a truly inspirational man.
Tracy
Thanks for your comments!
LOL Thomas, You said it in a new way!
Tracy? Me? Maybe you got onto the wrong page - LOL!
Patrick
All this HDr stuff is going straight over my head Patrick,although I do like the results I'm seeing.
I like the clarity here,lots to see.
Janet
Water looks very nice and velvety. The comp is also very good, HDR has worked very well for this one
Sean
What ever you are doing you sure are doing it up right, this is yet another brilliant piece of work! Hey I will be out your way on the 19th - 22nd of this month, unfortunately locked away in off-site meetings. Spot on! Click!!!
Greg
Stunning image Patrick, must catch up on your other "inland" images soon. Lovely example of HDR.
MikeA.
Remarkable work Patrick, this HDR is catching on I will try it soon.
All the very best
Dougie
Beautifully taken shot..the colours and colour tones are spot on...
Don
Just a fab image to my eyes with perfect contrast and colour tones.
Hawk
Wow excellent capture Patrick!
Great work
click
regards
chelseak
Spendid result, sorry to hear about you computer, bet you'r happy, soon the new one is 'online'.
Jan
Lots of echoing shapes and the detail make this a super shot. All things are a balance of Science and Art and you are perfecting that in this medium. Kind regards John
I've got to go with the "great HDR, not sure about the composition" gang here... I suspect that being able to read the text is what makes the difference...
Nice contrast between the towering buildings and the falling waters.
Love the capture of the lights and the composition of this super image.
Annette
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