JACK LARSON PHOTOGRAPHY
HDR Play
Posted by john4jack (Corvallis, Oregon, United States) on 13 April 2009 in Plant & Nature and Portfolio.
This is sheer play. I took Saturday's photograph; opened it into Nik's Color Efex; clicked Tonal Contrast, and moved the sliders all the way to the right. Voila! HDR. It took less than 5 minutes. If I was serious, I would try to be a little more subtle, etc., etc. To give credit, I learned this on Moose Peterson's blog. And just think, Silly Tuesday isn't until tomorrow. (For what it's worth, I prefer the original version. Part of what I value in the Aminus3 community is the wide diversity of what people like. And as a photographer once said, "There are always going to be people who don't like what you create; so you might as well try to please yourself.")
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Young Photographers. On Saturday, I was one of the judges at a state wide high school photography competition. Some of them were incredible photographers, even at their young age. (Here is a video on the program http://www.schooltube.com/video/10520/SkillsUSA-Photography-Competition)
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We are off to the Coast for another overnight. It is supposed to rain both days; oh well. No Internet; thus no Aminus3 communication.
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Since when do you have to agree with people to defend them from injustice?
- Lillian Hellman
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
The post processing brings out all those details really great! I like to play with all the buttons in Lightroom and Photoshop to see what they do to a photo ... no better way to learn about all the possibilities, so keep playing! ;)
13 Apr 2009 5:10am
khadi from New Delhi, India
Interesting post-processing. The photo looks a lot more like a painting now.
13 Apr 2009 5:24am
Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States
This is such a powerful composition that I like this also! I would love to see this with one of the CS4 paintbrush filters also! Still beautiful work!
13 Apr 2009 5:47am
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
Ooo you see I like both of them for different reasons!!!! I love the quote , it is so true!!!!
Wonderful images over the last few days Jack! I'm back in time for Silly Tuesday!!! Thank you for all your support and encouragement with ST, looking forward to tomorrow!!!
13 Apr 2009 6:29am
Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica
Neat processing! I did on pseudo HDR processing on the shot i posted today.
13 Apr 2009 6:53am
Peggy M. from somewhere in, France
wow ! Great. This image of flowers it's a fantastic vision and the colors are beautiful. Have a nice day Jack. Kisses
13 Apr 2009 6:54am
Sof from Neuchâtel, Switzerland
c'est comme un tableau... vraiment de toute beauté
13 Apr 2009 7:43am
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
It looks very cool but I too prefer the softnes of the original
13 Apr 2009 8:28am
Lydie et Roland from BESANCON, France
What a nice light.. As sas Sof : it looks like a paint !
13 Apr 2009 8:36am
@KhOrshid: Thank you; coming from you, that is high praise indeed.
"Marie" :-) from perth, Australia
Hi Jack, it looks 3d. Nicely worked. (for 5 mins anyway). I love the quote about pleasing yourself too. Thanks for sharing Jack.
13 Apr 2009 10:24am
Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States
I like this as a painting also, but do prefer the original.
The video, Jack, is wonderful information on the contest you helped judge; what an experience for all of you.
13 Apr 2009 11:08am
@Judy: Three of the kids were incredible photographers; they turned out some breathtaking work.
Mirza Ahmad from Thames Ditton, United Kingdom
Not normally a huge fan of HDR though I do dabble myself. I quite like the effect on this conversion as it brings out the details and gives it an antique feel. Nicely handled.
13 Apr 2009 11:19am
P J W Miller from Chase Terrace, United Kingdom
I actually do like this, the flowers have a lot more definition than they otherwise would
13 Apr 2009 11:21am
@P J W Miller: To be honest, it turned out considerably better than I expected.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
While it steps outside the "completely natural looking" box, I really like this photo. It reminds me of a form of impressionistic art; I like the intense colors.
13 Apr 2009 11:40am
Mathilde Collot from Fontainebleau, France
I recognized your picture! and I like the original. this one is different! I do not retouch my photos, but I like watching the effects and treatments from other photographers! I watched the video unfortunately I do not understand everything! My English is not very good!
13 Apr 2009 11:47am
@Mathilde Collot: Thank you for watching the video, Mathilde. It is not important to understand everything. The purpose is to help us realize how much young photographers are expected to know and understand about all phases of photography.
Lee from Fort Frances Ontario, Canada
I say hear hear. Very well said Jack. Pleasing ourselves is what makes us continue. A great exercise I'll have to store for future use.
13 Apr 2009 11:55am
@Lee: As you well know, Lee, pleasing ourselves is not going off on an ego trip. Rather it is functioning out of a very personal interior integrity.
willow from Chelsea, United States
I also like the original more, but this one is great in it's own way. The background, especially, came out very interesting with this processing. It's kind of fun to just mess around with processing once in awhile, isn't it? You never know what might happen!
13 Apr 2009 12:21pm
@willow: Sometimes what we learn while playing, Willow, makes a major contribution to our ongoing work. Unlike the engineers who work with this stuff, I often don't have a clue as to what the outcome will be. And I trash way, way more than I keep.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Art is art, and it's my opinion that the camera is a tool of expression, as is the darkroom, as is photoshop, lightroom and the works. I really like this. To compare it to the original is like comparing apples and oranges, if that makes any sense. It's your photograph, Jack, anyway you slice it, it's beautiful :)
13 Apr 2009 1:17pm
@bluechameleon: Thank you, Sharon. Part of my journey is to from time to time get out of my comfort zone. Integral to that is being open to move in new directions. The last thing that I want is to be enslaved to my past. For me to move in new directions, I have to try it out, experience it, see how it feels; discover whether or not it reflects what is inside of me. I am finding that a "subdued HDR" is quite appealing.
JJ from Jersey City, United States
A very cool affect I too prefer the original, but your last line is what you finish with, you can never please everyone so at least please yourself
13 Apr 2009 1:25pm
oncho from granada, Spain
Muy original,te a quedado de lujo las zonas que parecen de dibujo animado.
13 Apr 2009 1:46pm
Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States
I really agree with Sharon here- I looked at both images side by side, and I like both of them for different reasons. This one for the textures & interesting details that the HDR treatment helps to bring out--and the other for the subtle beauty and softness, and the way the lighting frames the branch.
You do good work in so many ways-Thank you for your service to the next generation of photographers!
13 Apr 2009 2:05pm
@Tracy: Thank you, Tracy. My goal is to encourage young people to as Joseph Campbell said, "Follow your bliss!" All of my going on 74 years, I have followed my passion, whatever it happened to be at the time; it is the one aspect of my life that I would not change one iota. When it comes to serving the next generation, as a teenager, I had 4 or 5 incredible mentors who invested themselves in me. I owe them way, way more than they will ever realize (they are all dead now).
Ajay from Pune, India
I am please too, to see a complete different result from your processing. Although I like the earlier one better but effect wise it is really a treat to the eyes.
13 Apr 2009 2:08pm
@K.B.R: Thank you. I wish that you were part of the aminus3 community; you do some great work.
Cricket from Alabama, United States
While I have power I wanted to come by to say Hi. Explanation given on my site.
I like this creative side. Very nice.
13 Apr 2009 2:26pm
Don from spokane, United States
A fine manipulation of the original image. I like how this turned out. I like the quote which is a worthwhile suggestion to every photographer.
13 Apr 2009 2:32pm
Denise from Perry, United States
Well, your sheer play turned out delightful, I love it!
13 Apr 2009 2:48pm
EYES WIDE SHUT from The library of my soul, United Kingdom
Absolutely right Jack. Expression is everything, freedom of expression in photography is paramount in my opinion. We are all individuals and pleasing ourselves is the most important thing. Neat work
13 Apr 2009 2:55pm
Marie-Hélène Ammor from Casablanca/Paris, Morocco
It gives a so clear and beautiful image !! Superb !!
13 Apr 2009 3:18pm
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
Some pretty cool play if you ask me. I like it.
13 Apr 2009 3:46pm
Michael Rawluk from Williams Lake, BC, Canada
Very cool. There are so many crappy HDR shots that it is wonderful to see a beautiful shot like this.
13 Apr 2009 3:55pm
@k@: Mystery is definitely in!!!
zahai from Berlin, Germany
powerful colors...the hdr treatment gives a surreal feel to the image, but it works great with this one. like some weird plant in a dream or something...
13 Apr 2009 4:34pm
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
Interesting result. It reminds me of a Victorian Era Greeting Card or seed packet.
13 Apr 2009 5:03pm
mo.langel from Courtelary, Switzerland
Très belle lumière, un traitement qui fait ressortir tous les détails des fleurs!
13 Apr 2009 5:05pm
Pradeep from Chennai, India
Awesome processing...love the intense and gritty feel to it. Very nice :)
13 Apr 2009 5:13pm
@Pradeep: Thank you.
Extempore from Bombay, India
That's just beautiful - the "psychedelic" colours on the stamens above notwithstanding - really gorgeous.
13 Apr 2009 5:23pm
Alivia from Saint-Etienne, France
The treatment process is a special rendering these buds. Everything seems supernatural, flowers of another world, embellished or transformed .. Bravo, John.
13 Apr 2009 5:36pm
Chris from South Jersey, United States
I think I like Saturday's version better as well, but this is fun and different - sometimes it is nice to get out of "your box" and try new things.....
13 Apr 2009 6:02pm
Leena from Joensuu, Finland
Thank you for a link of your lichen photo! It is marvellous, yellow - grey like mine, but so much more lichens
and yellow fungi !
And this HDR is good one too, not too much colours, just nice.
I have tried HDR, but nothing success at all - it demands time to learn!
13 Apr 2009 6:12pm
@Leena: Leena - this is by no means real HDR. It is an HDR look created through software.
Diane Schuller from Hythe, Canada
makes for a really unique and almost artful like image with this processing. Good to see you like to experiment too!
13 Apr 2009 8:44pm
@Diane Schuller: Oh yes, I do all sorts of crazy stuff. Helps to keep my "Trash" full.
kerfendal from Paris, France
gorgeous colors John, great pic very strongly contrasted
13 Apr 2009 9:04pm
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Très joli rendu (rendering) entre réalité et création artistique. Différent mais très intéressant. J'aime beaucoup le bokeh.
13 Apr 2009 9:23pm
Anna.C from LA ROCHELLE, France
of course I prefer the original, not a surprise for you ;-) but this one looks like a painting ! good work Jack !
13 Apr 2009 9:37pm
wickedful from Vancouver, Canada
very nice work on the HDR. It looks very very very very wicked!!
13 Apr 2009 9:49pm
@wickedful: Oh, it is; it is!!!
@Liz: Thank you, Liz.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
I'm also of the mind that I don't like one more than the other, they're both wonderful in their own way. Sometimes it's fun to try this type of thing for a change, and for a 5 minute job, you basically got a great result....only thing I'd want to change is the ghosting at the tops of the flowers....maybe another 5 minutes to clean that up!!! But a thoroughly enjoyable image anyway!!!!
13 Apr 2009 10:46pm
@Susan: What! You expect me to do some work!!!!
jeff (aka dogilicious) from Millerstown, PA, United States
This is really great! Love to play!
13 Apr 2009 10:47pm
@jeff (aka dogilicious): You and me both, Jeff!!
@Vachel: Thank you; it certainly was fun. I have a long way to go with real HDR.
MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States
Nice!
I love Nik products. I use define for noise reduction, what a gem. I may invest in this color thingie too!
14 Apr 2009 2:39am
Barbara from Florida, United States
Stunning. I like both versions. Although I like HDR in some situations, it works very well here adding great contrast and depth to the colors. Well done, Jack.
Enjoy your get away, rain or shine.
14 Apr 2009 2:42am
amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
I do very much LOVE the effect you acheived, Jack!! The tones are so rich and deep. The only "ick" is the halo on the upper blossoms. It definitely has potential. Keep playing my friend... ;-)
14 Apr 2009 3:56am
shallowregret from Kongsberg, Norway
i really prefer the original, not too keen on the hdr look.
14 Apr 2009 10:56am
Momo from Montpellier, France
I like 'em both...the original has amazing subtle color and texture...the cep version this great in your face bold color and presence...just another interpretation...isn't that what's great about photography?!...
14 Apr 2009 2:45pm
marcel lemieux/star_cosmos_bleu from Bedford.Quebec, Canada
The whole idea behind photography is to be creative,play,learn,have fun,try things,compose,and share your vision...beauty has no frontier...lovely shot and play of effect here...like the tones...
15 Apr 2009 4:00am
@marcel lemieux/star_cosmos_bleu: Thank you.
Toni from Eastern Washington, United States
I definitely prefer the original, but it is so fun to play, isn't it?
15 Apr 2009 6:13am
Mariana from waterloo, Canada
Brilliant. I never thought that HDr can give such a pretty results for the flower ! Need to try it :))
17 Apr 2009 10:20pm
Mike from Viols le fort, France
rès beau traitement et belle harmonie des couleurs
21 Apr 2009 7:30pm
Nikon D700
1/400 second
F/7.1
ISO 200
70 mm (35mm equiv.)