Old Truck HDR

whatt · #1 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 03:37 AM

Photographers Comments
I used a jpeg .. opened it in RAW (I have CS3 and you can do this so I have learned, command r on a mac when u have the jpeg highlighted in Bridge) and moved the sliders in exposure ... saved three photos in TIFF ... Took them into Photomatix and created an HDR .... I noticed that I do have a bit of ghosting ... but guess that practice makes perfect ...
Cheers
Else

Serious Critique Required: The photographer has requested he/she would like a more serious level of critique for this image to obtain more constructive critiscism from other members. Please make sure the comments you leave are indeed constructive and aim to help the photographer see the image from a different perspective and/or provide help and guidance to how the image can be improved.

Joseph Carmichael · #2 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 06:10 AM

Don't ask me to critique it for you Else, as I've never done this before. but it's looking good to me. My compliments to you.

I guess this is something I'll have to learn very soon tho, as it seams that a lot of our other members are into it.

You lead young lady and I'll just follower along.

cyclone · #3 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 11:26 AM

Hi Else,
I don't see a ghosting problem here, I much prefer this "less done" approach with sensible colours and contrast.
Now you just need to turn the truck around, to get rid of the barns and make it look really lonely.

whatt · #4 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Hi Joseph .. Thank you .. it gets a little easier each time .. but really think I need to download the program and won't have that watermark .. plastered all over it ..lol .. Hi Merv .. wish that I could take it from another angle, but with it being on someone's private property .. would be leery about going onto it. Never know how people will react. I just might have to take a drive down this road again .. and see if there is any way .. that I could take a photo of it .. from a different angel from the roadway .. might have to even climb into the ditch that is running along side of the road .. lol .. Anything for a good photo .. hahahah .. The little bit of ghosting is on the LHS of the truck over the fender .. Thank you Joseph and Merv for stopping by and having a look at this old truck ..
Cheers
Else

fayswon · #5 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 10:23 PM

be very careful about 'ditch laying'...I've nearly killed more than one man this way. They think they have come across a corpse..and I thought women are jumpy.

I think this lends very well to HDR...and again, I like how you don't overcook it. Agree about the background; there is already alot of busyness on the truck. I'm finding the lighting flat. by that, I mean that the light is such that the different parts of the vehicle don't stand out from each other, to give a more dimensional look. Others more experienced with that can probably help you better but I think I would tinker more in levels and curves. There is one place that isn't so flat and that is in the upper right, where the evergreen is imposed over the red barn. There you can see some variance of light and it really caught my eye..it brings a sense of liveliness...

cyclone · #6 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 12:26 AM

Yes I see it now you point it out and also a little more underneath the other fender too. I guess I was looking in the sky for them as it's were they usually seem to appear. Still, they are much less noticeable than expected, again I prefer it this way, well done.

whatt · #7 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 03:12 AM

Hi Fay .. Thanks for stopping by .. and I will make sure I put on a pair of boots ..not telling what is in the ditch ..it's farms all around in that area. I will have a bit of a play with it in curves and levels ... Right now one of our grandson is in a hockey tournament .. so you know what is more important .. lol. . Hi Merv .. Thanks for checking it out more .. and find it is easier with other eyes looking at a photo. I find that at times it is easy to miss things. Thank you to you and Fay .. for your comments .. it all helps ...
Cheers
Else

Sylmac · #8 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 04:07 AM

Hi Else;

I like the HDR effect on truck, but I agree that it is a little flat, and dosen't pop out at you. I think that the background is too busy, and should have been blurred, which would have given more isolation to the truck. You might have tried to clone out the tree on the right, which would have allowed you to crop a little off the sky. With a little selective tinkering in Photoshop, etc. you could have made the grill, and headlight stand out more. I see you use Photomatix. I personally like Dynamic-Photo HDR from "Mediachance", because it comes with some preset filter effects, Curves, Hue & Saturation, and Color Equalization adjustments, which can be seen in real time. The program costs $39.00 US. If your interested, go to their website. Note: Photomatix is a good program, and I think that they will make some upgrades to it, but for now I will take a pass.

Sylamc

whatt · #9 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 09:38 PM

Hi Sylmac, Thank you for stopping by to help me along with this. I did take a look at that program Dynamic_Photo .. but I use a Mac and the program is only for windows. It is far less expensive then the Photomatix. I have worked on the HDR of the truck a bit more .. and will post it another day. I am going to keep that information handy ... All your help is appreciated ..
Cheers
Else

#10 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 11:36 PM

the truck is superb. I think i would seriously consider taking a while to clone all that background out and extend the sky in there, but thats just me. Appeal-wise( which is most imaportant for me) i would love that truck to be bigger to appreciate the textures more. nice shot