The Whipping Post

bike21

bike21

9-5 Ruins Lives
Had an idea for a new thread since we apparently have so many photogs running around here! Feel free to post pictures here for critique & comment so we can all learn & share. A few ground rules...

- Please post pics that are yours [duh!]
- Post one pic at a time or original + post edit if necessary
- Critique from any angle, composition, framing, lighting, focus, DOF, editing, etc
- Any subject material is game as long as it is PG-13
- Make EXIF data available if you can so we can help you out...if not...
- Give exposure settings, ISO, EV +/-, etc.
- Try to offer constructive technique only and provide helpful tips where applicable
- Remember to have some thick skin when receiving critique, it isn't personal :)

So all that said...here we go!

Title: Prague HDR
Camera: Nikon D40x
Aperture: f/9.0
Exposure: 1/320s
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 18mm

This one was from the fall of 2008 in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of my first HDR attempts, admittedly I am not the biggest fan of HDR but it is growing on me. I like HDRs that are not overcooked and have a purpose. By 'have a purpose' I mean the technique adds something to the composition that was not brought to film/screen when you snapped the shutter. In this instance the sky in the original did not turn out nearly as dramatic is it was at that moment. HDR helped out I think :)

764662379_vnKr6-L.jpg


C&C most welcome!
 
Might also help to add what editing software you used (if any)...

.... with that said:

I like the sky but I would have tried to take some of the noise out of it... keep it dramatic but not so grainy , the city is too dark and a little over saturated (almost like the black slider on photomatix or adobe raw went way too far right).... brightening up the cathedral might help the dark look as well.
 
FlyingSig said:
Might also help to add what editing software you used (if any)...
Click to expand...

Good idea!

.... with that said:

I like the sky but I would have tried to take some of the noise out of it... keep it dramatic but not so grainy , the city is too dark and a little over saturated (almost like the black slider on photomatix or adobe raw went way too far right).... brightening up the cathedral might help the dark look as well.
Click to expand...

Excellent critique! I couldn't agree more actually. I will get back to the drawing board and see what I can come up with.
 
3972483165_18d858a9b5_b.jpg


Title: Cinque Terra
Camera: Canon Xsi
Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure: 1/160s
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 32mm
Software: Adobe CS4
 
FlyingSig said:
photo

Title: Cinque Terra
Camera: Canon Xsi
Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure: 1/160s
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 32mm
Software: Adobe CS4
Click to expand...

First off a gorgeous setting and idea. I would like to see the horizon line evened out along with some more saturation. It seems a little 'flat' and doesn't pop much for me. Maybe a bit of contrast as well?
 
FlyingSig said:
3972483165_18d858a9b5_b.jpg


Title: Cinque Terra
Camera: Canon Xsi
Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure: 1/160s
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 32mm
Software: Adobe CS4
Click to expand...

^i'm with bike. i like the composition, but would prefer to see the horizon leveled out. subtle contrast and saturation manipulation and you have a winner.

bike21 said:
2.0 :)

766132462_PcWCk-L.jpg
Click to expand...

noise is gone in the sky, but i liked it a bit darker. buildings look a little over saturated, particularly the reds.

is that the original crop? i think a bit less sky on top and more city on the bottom would help the balance. the city scape being so dramatic there it seems the focus should be more on the skyline, less on the sky.

i haven't taken any shots worth mentioning in awhile, i'll have to dig up something to post.

good job on the thread, we've needed a thread like this for some time.
 
gne in prog said:
noise is gone in the sky, but i liked it a bit darker. buildings look a little over saturated, particularly the reds.

is that the original crop? i think a bit less sky on top and more city on the bottom would help the balance. the city scape being so dramatic there it seems the focus should be more on the skyline, less on the sky.
Click to expand...

Cool, I will have another go at it as I am not fully pleased either. It is the orginal crop and I wanted to try to salvage it for practice and this has been a good lesson :)

i haven't taken any shots worth mentioning in awhile, i'll have to dig up something to post.

good job on the thread, we've needed a thread like this for some time.
Click to expand...

Look forward to seeing more from you, I need to get out shooting as well soon!
 
This is a great thread idea! This one was taken locally in Huntsville and it's a sepia HDR.

Camera: Nikon D5000
Focal Length: 55mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure: 1/250s
ISO: 400
Software: Photomatix + GIMP

4270943766_82a3023eae_b.jpg
 
FlyingSig said:
I got nothing for you Ohio.... that's a stunning shot, don't change a thing
Click to expand...

Thanks!! I definitely wasn't expecting that response!

I really like your V2.0. The horizon line being level really helps a lot and the added contrast makes the colors pop out more. In the first version, I actually didn't notice the village at the edge of the water!
 
OhioStatePilot said:
This is a great thread idea! This one was taken locally in Huntsville and it's a sepia HDR.

Camera: Nikon D5000
Focal Length: 55mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure: 1/250s
ISO: 400
Software: Photomatix + GIMP

4270943766_82a3023eae_b.jpg
Click to expand...

Yep, love it. I tried to find something to nit pick, but couldn't really. Very well done. :clap:
 
4285716813_d1812ffcdb_b.jpg


exif-
f/6.3
1/400
iso 250
50mm

post-
photoshop cs (who's old school?)
auto levels, contrast, color. that's the limit of my competency.
 
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