DSLR Shots and Discussions

FromG2Z · 08-08-2011, 09:40 AM

hi guys... some awesome pics in here... don't know why I waited this long to check this thread out. I took a few shots yesterday after getting her all cleaned up. Then I learned HDR!!! not that hard to do... I still have a lot of editing to do to clean her up, but the initial result was great already, and I was too tired at 2 am last night

What you guys think??? Any suggestions for improvement composition-wise or shot-wise?

NON-HDR

HDR's

onzedge · 08-08-2011, 10:12 AM

G2Z -- those are excellent photos.

FromG2Z · 08-08-2011, 10:25 AM

Thank you onzedge! Yeah I was SO excited to learn HDR yesterday. It's pretty neat. I'm stoked to take more scenic/landscaping shots now too... I'm not as good as you guys on this thread though, but I am slowly learning.

FromG2Z · 08-08-2011, 10:26 AM

BTW, is that you in your avatar???

Cmike2780 · 08-08-2011, 10:54 AM

^^^What HDR software are you using & how many exposures/shots did you use. The 1st one is good, but the last one is really "noisy". I find that HDR shots look best with night shots or low light shots at dusk/dawn. Too much overexposure when you shoot during hard mid-day sunlight.

Here's a an HDR shot I took a week ago while at my brother in law's lake house in MA. It was kind of an on the spot shot and I didn't have my tripod with me. It came out okay though, but it could def have been better if I were prepared.

FromG2Z · 08-08-2011, 11:04 AM

^ hi Mike... yes, I agree, the first one was best. I believe I had 5 exposures for each of them. The 1st pic was good because I really had good lighting, plus my values were around -2, -1, 0, 1, and 2... which is perfect. The other ones were more closely spaced, and not even

There was definitely too much noice there. I need to get a remote trigger, because even though securely locked on tripod, pushing the button still initiates a slight shudder.

BTW, I use EASYHDR. It rocks. Photomatix was just ok... and picturenaut was only TIFF....

Cmike2780 · 08-08-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

^ hi Mike... yes, I agree, the first one was best. I believe I had 5 exposures for each of them. The 1st pic was good because I really had good lighting, plus my values were around -2, -1, 0, 1, and 2... which is perfect. The other ones were more closely spaced, and not even

There was definitely too much noice there. I need to get a remote trigger, because even though securely locked on tripod, pushing the button still initiates a slight shudder.

BTW, I use EASYHDR. It rocks. Photomatix was just ok... and picturenaut was only TIFF....

Use the timer if you don't have a trigger. Skip the wireless remote and go for the wired trigger. Its more responsive and easier to control.

I have been using Photomatix and it does get a little tricky sometimes. It seems like I always need to tweek it in Photoshop afterwards. I tried EasyHDR and found it was easier to get more natural looking HDR images with that program.

FromG2Z · 08-08-2011, 11:29 AM

^ thanks for pointers man! Yes, I will try to use timer next time, then wired too. Where to buy those? hmmmm

Yeah I love EasyHDR. I think it's easiest to use and for beginner's gives great results. I'm sure Photomatix does it better and has features that Easy can't do... but until I get much better, I will play with EasyHDR first.

btw, your HDR shot above, with NO tripod? Damn dude... you are a GOD. That looks fantastic for no tripod.

kenchan · 08-08-2011, 12:09 PM

mike- awesome shot!

looks mystical.

G2Z- looking good. im a little confused on your last shot (and the shot that you're using in your avatar) because the reflection or shadow on your car looks like someone spray painted your car gray.

i first thought it was my screen but then it looks like that on 3 other screens including my droidx and MBP... is it suppose to be like that?

onzedge · 08-08-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

BTW, is that you in your avatar???

Ummm, yeah. It has that "I just got paroled" look about it.

Cmike2780 · 08-08-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

^ thanks for pointers man! Yes, I will try to use timer next time, then wired too. Where to buy those? hmmmm

Yeah I love EasyHDR. I think it's easiest to use and for beginner's gives great results. I'm sure Photomatix does it better and has features that Easy can't do... but until I get much better, I will play with EasyHDR first.

btw, your HDR shot above, with NO tripod? Damn dude... you are a GOD. That looks fantastic for no tripod.

Lol, thanks...but I'm far from a pro. I bought my trigger from a local shop, but I also buy most of my gear from B&H. That shot was taken with the sun just about to set and got lucky. I left my tripod at home, so it was either get an okay shot or nothing. I used camera bracketing, set the shutter button to "burst" and had to set the ISO to 800. Even then, with the aperture at f/11 it was tricky to get a consistent shot that would line up in HDR. Also, absolutely nothing wrong with using EasyHDR. I just find Photomatix takes a lot less time to render.

Cmike2780 · 08-08-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

mike- awesome shot!

looks mystical.

G2Z- looking good. im a little confused on your last shot (and the shot that you're using in your avatar) because the reflection or shadow on your car looks like someone spray painted your car gray.

i first thought it was my screen but then it looks like that on 3 other screens including my droidx and MBP... is it suppose to be like that?

That's the ground reflection. HDR punches out the dark tones, which can sometimes cause unwanted results. Fixable in Photoshop though.

kenchan · 08-08-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

That's the ground reflection. HDR punches out the dark tones, which can sometimes cause unwanted results. Fixable in Photoshop though.

ahh i see. thanks for the explanation.

i wish i had more photoshop drawing/painting skills cause when i want to remove reflections in the door sometimes dont know how to paint it out.

small things i can spot brush and remove but not an entire door....

onzedge · 08-08-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

ahh i see. thanks for the explanation.

i wish i had more photoshop drawing/painting skills cause when i want to remove reflections in the door sometimes dont know how to paint it out.

small things i can spot brush and remove but not an entire door....

HDR now has me intrigues. I must check it out.

FromG2Z · 08-08-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

mike- awesome shot!

looks mystical.

G2Z- looking good. im a little confused on your last shot (and the shot that you're using in your avatar) because the reflection or shadow on your car looks like someone spray painted your car gray.

i first thought it was my screen but then it looks like that on 3 other screens including my droidx and MBP... is it suppose to be like that?

Thanks Ken... yeah... it's the result of the HDR "render". I didn't get a chance to photoshop it yet. Come to think of it, I don't even HAVE photoshop... LOL. I need to use NX2 or something... Yeah, in that first one, like my avatar, if you notice, the door handles are grayish too. It's good learning, so I know how to fix it for next time. But the HDR concept themselves are very interesting. I like it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Ummm, yeah. It has that "I just got paroled" look about it.

HAHA... I like the smug look man. You look like someone just messed with your Z

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

HDR now has me intrigues. I must check it out.

Go for it! I was reading about it all this time too and I finally tried it out... loved it... and bought the software... lol.... It's something different, if anything.

08-08-2011, 09:40 AM	#121 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 18	hi guys... some awesome pics in here... don't know why I waited this long to check this thread out. I took a few shots yesterday after getting her all cleaned up. Then I learned HDR!!! not that hard to do... I still have a lot of editing to do to clean her up, but the initial result was great already, and I was too tired at 2 am last night What you guys think??? Any suggestions for improvement composition-wise or shot-wise? NON-HDR HDR's __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra Last edited by FromG2Z; 08-08-2011 at 09:53 AM.

08-08-2011, 10:12 AM	#122 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 64 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684736	G2Z -- those are excellent photos. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

08-08-2011, 10:25 AM	#123 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 18	Thank you onzedge! Yeah I was SO excited to learn HDR yesterday. It's pretty neat. I'm stoked to take more scenic/landscaping shots now too... I'm not as good as you guys on this thread though, but I am slowly learning. __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

08-08-2011, 10:26 AM	#124 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 18	BTW, is that you in your avatar??? __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

08-08-2011, 11:04 AM	#126 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 18	^ hi Mike... yes, I agree, the first one was best. I believe I had 5 exposures for each of them. The 1st pic was good because I really had good lighting, plus my values were around -2, -1, 0, 1, and 2... which is perfect. The other ones were more closely spaced, and not even There was definitely too much noice there. I need to get a remote trigger, because even though securely locked on tripod, pushing the button still initiates a slight shudder. BTW, I use EASYHDR. It rocks. Photomatix was just ok... and picturenaut was only TIFF.... __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

08-08-2011, 11:29 AM	#128 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 18	^ thanks for pointers man! Yes, I will try to use timer next time, then wired too. Where to buy those? hmmmm Yeah I love EasyHDR. I think it's easiest to use and for beginner's gives great results. I'm sure Photomatix does it better and has features that Easy can't do... but until I get much better, I will play with EasyHDR first. btw, your HDR shot above, with NO tripod? Damn dude... you are a GOD. That looks fantastic for no tripod. __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

08-08-2011, 12:09 PM	#129 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	mike- awesome shot! looks mystical. G2Z- looking good. im a little confused on your last shot (and the shot that you're using in your avatar) because the reflection or shadow on your car looks like someone spray painted your car gray. i first thought it was my screen but then it looks like that on 3 other screens including my droidx and MBP... is it suppose to be like that?

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