So I went for a walk around Liverpool hoping to get some different shots in different places. I had HDR in mind for these and it was a lovely day for it. All these shots were generated from 1 single RAW photo outputted to 16bit TIFF's. I've found that a TIFF, 16bit or 8bit produces far better detail. The colour reproduction is better and there is more detail in the sky. It is very close to using 3 shots. The only real benefit of using 3 shots with a tripod is that it probably helps to reduce noise. I'm glad I worked this out as I didn't want to lug a tripod around Toronto all day.
I'm spending all my time practicing with HDR as I feel that since its so new people are easily able to use it badly. I've seen shots on Flickr that have all the classic signs of HDR gone wrong. Plastic looking landscapes is the major one. I prefer to use the tool subtly to bring the sky in line with the ground.
#1
This building is Beetham Tower. Its something like 45 stories high. I've always known it would be a great location for some photos due to the giant bit of abstract architecture outside it. Thankfully it was a lovely sunny day with some clouds in the sky. Perfect weather.
#2
Another shot from Beetham Tower in Liverpool. I prefer this to the previous shot. The colours are better, the sky has more presence and it just feels more powerful.
#3
I ended up at this car park at Princess Docks. There were no signs to say it was private. No signs to say that photography was prohibited. I checked. Yet when I was up there a guard came running up and escorted me out saying it was owned by the Police and that due to this whole Anti-Terrorism thing I couldn't take photos. I explained that I wouldn't have if they had a warning informing me of this. It just looked like any other car park. There was no-one guarding the entrance or anything. I just walked in. Still got the shots and left.
#4
A slightly different angle. I prefer this shot and I think the horizon needs sorting. Didn't spot it till now.
#5
"Highs and Lows". From the grander of the Liverbuilding to the muddy wasteland of an old abandoned dock.
I'm spending all my time practicing with HDR as I feel that since its so new people are easily able to use it badly. I've seen shots on Flickr that have all the classic signs of HDR gone wrong. Plastic looking landscapes is the major one. I prefer to use the tool subtly to bring the sky in line with the ground.
#1
This building is Beetham Tower. Its something like 45 stories high. I've always known it would be a great location for some photos due to the giant bit of abstract architecture outside it. Thankfully it was a lovely sunny day with some clouds in the sky. Perfect weather.
#2
Another shot from Beetham Tower in Liverpool. I prefer this to the previous shot. The colours are better, the sky has more presence and it just feels more powerful.
#3
I ended up at this car park at Princess Docks. There were no signs to say it was private. No signs to say that photography was prohibited. I checked. Yet when I was up there a guard came running up and escorted me out saying it was owned by the Police and that due to this whole Anti-Terrorism thing I couldn't take photos. I explained that I wouldn't have if they had a warning informing me of this. It just looked like any other car park. There was no-one guarding the entrance or anything. I just walked in. Still got the shots and left.
#4
A slightly different angle. I prefer this shot and I think the horizon needs sorting. Didn't spot it till now.
#5
"Highs and Lows". From the grander of the Liverbuilding to the muddy wasteland of an old abandoned dock.
