HDR Liverpool

Soldato
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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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#4

A slightly different angle. I prefer this shot and I think the horizon needs sorting. Didn't spot it till now.

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#5

"Highs and Lows". From the grander of the Liverbuilding to the muddy wasteland of an old abandoned dock.
 
Soldato
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#6

"Sunken" The Mersey Ferry Terminal that sank due to heavy snow this year. They still haven't fixed it.

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#7

The Liverbuilding. I know theres a spot thats over-exposed. Couldn't seem to fix it.

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#8

I went for tea while the sunset and came back out at just the right time. I headed down to the Paradise Street bus stop. Great location for evening sunsets. Great shadows, colours and light.

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#9

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#10
 
Soldato
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All very very good. HDR done well just has so much impact. Have got to get around to giving this a go.

What lense were you using for most of those too, looks like a pretty wide angle?
 
Associate
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More great photos cyKey :)

The compo and processing really stand out on 1 and 2. The vapor trails on 3 are great :) I also really like No. 7. The blown cloud bothers me a bit but I recon with a bit of creative cloning you could get rid of that ;)
 
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wunkley said:
All very very good. HDR done well just has so much impact. Have got to get around to giving this a go.

What lense were you using for most of those too, looks like a pretty wide angle?

Sigma 10-20. My most used lens :)

yak.h'cir said:
Excellent shots! Whenever I see your pictures it always motivates me to go out and try something new!

Thanks seems so little a reply when someone says that :)

Mohain said:
More great photos cyKey :)

The compo and processing really stand out on 1 and 2. The vapor trails on 3 are great :) I also really like No. 7. The blown cloud bothers me a bit but I recon with a bit of creative cloning you could get rid of that ;)

Hehe so odd that I never thought to clone it out :)
 
Soldato
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Utterly, utterly brilliant, I've never seen shots with colours like it, words can't express how fab I think those pics are!

How did you learn the HDR technique? I know the theory of what it is and it's application in games but it's all new to me in photography!
 
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TheBigCheese said:
Utterly, utterly brilliant, I've never seen shots with colours like it, words can't express how fab I think those pics are!

How did you learn the HDR technique? I know the theory of what it is and it's application in games but it's all new to me in photography!

Just came across it on here or somewhere. Looked into it and decided to play. HDR in games isn't like HDR in photography. In games its more like over-exposed parts. In photography its a blend of 3 differently exposed photos. http://petemc.net/hdrguide.pdf
 
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Yeah great shots cyKey, the skies really add impact to the photos.
There isn't much that be done to improve them. I guess some of the leaning buildings could be straightened up but then you could argue it's the wide effect and part of the photo.
 
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