[bain]

i'm just experimenting with this trying out hdr and putting my name on the photo i normally don't do this, as i said just messing but i would like some feedback on the overall look i would like to learn from this so be as hard as you like

[silkstone]

Just a first impression..

Overall, you've managed to avoid most of the "oil painting" and oversaturated look that can plague HDR photos, although you're on the cusp in some places.

The sky looks a little odd - HDR can do strange things at boundaries between light and dark, especially tree branches.

Your name would perhaps have been better at the bottom right where there is less going on in the photo.

Just my 2p.

[Markulous]

Think Silky's nailed it!

[Rob Barron]

Yup[, the sky is the only real weakness here Bain, you've done a good job here

The sky's biggest problem is the fact it suddenly becomes white on the left, it could do with being made consistent right across to the building on the left.

Other than that this works nicely because most of it is man-made structures and so the painterly effect works well. Landscapes often struggle because of the variation in tones but this is fine.

Good going matey

Rob

[Charlotte]

Would definitely crop out that top bit of sky.

The colour saturation could come down a tad. The small splashes of purple on the LHS draw the eye, but when I get there, there's not much detail to enjoy (pic so small).

Aside from those niggles, a good effort

Re: Plastering your name on it ... try reducing the opacity, as well as finding the least invasive place - in this case (as Silky said) on the bottom RH corner.

[bain]

thanks silky, rob and charlotte for your feedback
i really don't like the oil painting look, silky and tried to avoid it as much as possible, and agree with the plastering of the name tag it should be at the other side,or not at all.......
Rob i have really noticed how hdr effects the sky, i don't like it maybe i'll invest in a N/G filter, if i have the time and cash but i do like how HDR can really effect buildings it seem to bring out that extra light that you don't see or the camera fails to see....
charlotte i have the larger version, and the purple flowers look worse so there is no point in adding it and your right, it is down to the Saturation i should tone it down a bit.

thanks again guys

[M1ke]

Nice hdr photo bain. Leave it as it is, there is no evidence of the halo effect as suggested above. You have processed it just about perfectly under the circumstances. In my opinion the lighting conditions in your photo is perfect for the best hdr effect and the subject matter ie bricks and buildings, is the perfect media.I have experimented recently with a programme which is a Photoshop plugin called Topaz Adjust by Topaz Labs. A quick tweak with it would have your sky looking fabulous. By the way, you have made a great job of the lighting on the front of the building and the bricks look excellent. HDR is the way to go!!!

[Nancy1340]

I've got to say the first time I saw it I was reminded of paintings by Thomas Kinkade. Sorry.

[j sotelo]

I think you did a good job all you have to fix is that brownish sky, but that can easily be changed,
it shouldn't take you but 3 to 5 min.
just add a different sky to it and mask the house out, leave the trees alone, then set the sky layer to Darken Blending Mode this mode will look for the darker colors in both layers and leave them unchanged (in this case the branches), it will only replace the lighter colors,
this trick will avoid the hassle of trying to mask out branch by branch and save hours of time !

here's what I explained, you might or might not like the sky but it was for explaining purposes

[M1ke]

Great sky j sotelo! I don't suppose you could run me through the procedure step by step could you?

[j sotelo]

here you go

First upload bot images in Photoshop,
drag the sky to the main image,
align the sky image where ever you think will work best,
you can reduce the opacity of the sky if you think it will help you align easier,
add a layer mask.



Now, set the sky Layer to Darken Blending Mode,
you can try any of the Dark modes, depending on the image.



Mask out the area that is not supposed to be there.


And you are done !! in about 5 Min.

Hope it's useful !

[M1ke]

excellent. Thanks.

[tjay82]

Bain, this is amazingly gorgeous! ive been wanting to take a picture with the sort of "soft" but sharp look you have here....im assuming it is the HDR giving it this look? I have no idea what this is but would love to learn it so my shots can look this way too. J sotelo , beautiful job on the sky, the picture it perfect now. (can someone please explain HDR to me???)

[j sotelo]

here's a quick explanation by GainfulShrimp
http://www.pixalo.com/community/tuto...ing-18219.html

[tjay82]

thanks

[ijv22]

Full marks to j-sotelo for his sky replacement tutorial
Maybe this could be added to the "Tutorials and Guides" forum.

As for the HDR ... I must admit that I am not a fan of this technique...
However, when I do see them I prefer the more subtle usage, so to my eyes you have just about controlled the effect without going to the extremes we so often see.

As for the name adding, I agree with the others, you know the technique but perhaps find a more suitable spot ..

[brian wright22]

Great explanation Joe

[stepheno]

I think it would be better if Bain had spelled Photography correctly

[brian wright22]

Quote Stephano; I think it would be better if Bain had spelled Photography correctly .

Its amazing what HDR does to a picture.
Brian

[bain]

good lord so i hve..........

[brian-iow]

I am also impressed with this HDR image. It is something I know nothing about
but I am interested enough to give it a try.
I like the buildings in the first image and with the addition of a different sky I can see how
it brings it all to life.
Thanks everyone for an interesting thread.
Brian.

[j sotelo]

[bain]

thanks J