GolfGTIforum.co.uk

General => General discussion => Topic started by: TheRaven on 19 August 2013, 12:08

Title: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: TheRaven on 19 August 2013, 12:08: There has been much discussion about HDR lately and the use of multiple exposures and keeping it realistic. So here is my first attempt, 3 exposures, +/-2 then layer masks to keep the parts I wanted.

Thoughts and crit? Please click the image to view on a black background!

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9546477896_661fcd7d80_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenphotography2012/9546477896/)
St James Church, Longton (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenphotography2012/9546477896/) by Raven Photography by Jenna Goodwin (http://www.flickr.com/people/ravenphotography2012/), on Flickr
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: Diamond Hell on 20 August 2013, 20:12: I don't know how it's possible to say it without offending you, but somehow (and I can't put my finger on it) it looks cobbled together.

Sorry. :sad:
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: T_J_G on 20 August 2013, 21:52: I agree, something's wierd around the church tower. It's got a really orange WB too.
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: Diamond Hell on 21 August 2013, 12:39: Thank heavens it's not just me.

Like many HDR shots, unfortunately it has a 'fake' look to it, but it's very difficult to put one's finger on it - it just makes me uneasy looking at it. Really hard to explain!!
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: TheRaven on 21 August 2013, 15:43: I know what you mean, the light there is actually that yellow though!
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: mcgee9t2 on 21 August 2013, 17:12: On a positive note I like the sky :)

Good attempt. Proberbly better than what id end up with
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: Ridg on 21 August 2013, 18:45: personally I would have balanced for the street light, given you've got multiple layers you could have easily balanced the different lights (the street lights and the twilight) Assuming you're using camera raw, simple save a version of the image / exposure with the correct white balance and then blend them into each other.

The over blue sky does nothing for me as it simple looks like it's day light but the lights are on, I've have darkened the sky and probably gone for a darker blue, so that the church stands out more against a black(er) night sky.

Also I think the composition could have been improved if the shot was from the second tree in the middle distance. I can see what you're trying to do with the street light, the path and the church however the massive orange bush in the foreground ruins the view.
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: T_J_G on 21 August 2013, 19:25: Good to see you still around Ridg!
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: Diamond Hell on 21 August 2013, 22:45: Nothing worse than an enormous orange bush ruining a view....
Title: Re: HDR manual blending with layer masks - First attempt
Post by: TheRaven on 22 August 2013, 10:55: Cheers guys! All learning! :) Plenty to practice with, I may re-edit it and give it a different crop, see what I can come up with!