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This is another three exposure bracket set merged in HDR Efex Pro 2 using the Deep #1 preset. After merging the images I returned the image to Aperture 3 where I adjusted the Contrast, Exposure, Vibrance and finally Sharpened the image.
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I shot this last night on the Big Four Bridge Ramp as the sun was setting. The evening was balmy and people were out enjoying the sunset and strolling along the bridge.
Processing was done on NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 and Aperture 3. There are three frames here that were merged at 100% anti-ghosting setting which eliminated the problem of shooting people moving during the three exposures. I also had to use the underexposed image as the reference image before I managed to get the people de-ghosted. I learned that when applying anti-ghosting it may take several tries before I can get the results I’m looking for. In this case I first used the 0 ev exposure at 20% anti-ghosting but it didn’t stop the ghosting. I then ran through the rest of the settings 40%,60%, 80% and finally 100% but there were still ghosted figures I then switched my reference image and that eliminated the problem.
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This was a three frame bracket set -2, 0, +2 EV merged and tone mapped in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 starting with the Deep 1 Preset. I made some minor changes to the amount and method strength. I also dropped a control point on the sky in the background where I adjusted the exposure and contrast. I then returned the image to Aperture 3 and adjusted the overall exposure, cleaned up some dust spots, and enhanced the vibrance slightly.
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This image is from the Waterfront Park Amphitheater looking west. This is a magical place that affords a view of the Big Four Bridge and the Ohio River that many people aren’t aware exists. There are speaker and a sound system there that plays WFPK public radio music which is really a nice way to enjoy the view listening to music.
This image is from a three EV bracket set merged in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 and tone mapped there before returning it to Aperture 3 for some adjusting and slight straightening of the horizon. After that I used some OnOne Perfect Effects presets dialed down to low strength to enhance the final image. One filter I used was the Polarization filter; it is very good and really mimics the characteristics of a real polarizer by virtue of being able to “rotate” it when applying it to the image.
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This is another image from that same shoot with similar post processing. The next time you are down in Waterfront Park take a stroll to the Amphitheater and discover another facet of our wonderful Waterfront Park.
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I have been doing more experimenting with combining various software in my processing. For this image I used NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 to merge my three shot bracket set. I did some initial tone mapping there and then returned it to Aperture 3 for more refinement. After that I took it into OnOne Perfect Effects and applied some of the filters there at very low strength to bring out more detail in the sky. I’m pleased with this image because it doesn’t exhibit a lot of haloing even after using multiple filters.
