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This is a three frame bracket set HDR image processed in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 with 60% anti-ghosting applied. It was very breezy when I shot the bracket set but the anti-ghosting did a respectable job of merging the three exposures. As is my usual work flow I finished the image in Aperture 3.
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Another example of realistic HDR processing using NIK HDR Efex Pro 2. This image is from a three exposure bracket set shot at -2, 0, and +2 EV. I merged it and applied the Balanced preset before adjusting the tone mapping and tonality. I then returned it to Aperture 3 for final adjustment.
The link below will take you to the registration page for this session.
http://outdoorphotogear.ticketleap.com/using-hdr-photography/
I will be conducting a workshop “Using HDR Photography to Create Your Own Personal Style” at Outdoor Photo Gear’s classroom facility May 17 and 18 here in Louisville, KY.
In this workshop, I will cover the techniques and tools that are needed to enter the fantastic world of High Dynamic Range photographs, and how to give those images your own personal style.
Workshop times are Friday May 17 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM and Saturday May 18 from 9:00am – 5:30 pm.
I will be teaching workshop attendees how to use the powerful NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 software as well as other NIK plugins for Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture 3 to create HDR images that range from Hyper Realistic and Super Saturated to pleasing realistic photos. This small group workshop will be extremely hands on, and each attendee will leave understanding the key elements of processing HDR images to create their own style.
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Sometimes simple is better….
I like using NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 for preparing black and white images. Using the bracketed exposures really helps intensify the textures and contrasts within an image. After merging the three exposures -2, 0, and +2 EV I returned the image to Aperture 3 where I applied a B&W setting with a blue filter. Some sharpening and contrast adjustments were applied and a slight vignette was used to finish the image.
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Louisville is experiencing a revival of it’s East Market Street area now known as the NuLu District. NuLu is attracting tech startup ventures, galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, lofts and other uses that repurpose what had been vacant or poorly maintained buildings into vibrant new spaces. NuLu is close to the Louisville Waterfront Park, Main Street night spots, the new Yum Arena and Louisville Slugger Field. It is also attracting a diverse group of enthusiastic young professionals, artists and entrepreneurs who are brimming with ideas and ambition.
There is a lot of activity in this area such as the building on the left in this photo. The early morning sun really lit up the facade and that’s what drew my eye to the scene. I know some folks would pass by a scene such as this because the construction isn’t completed but for me that is an important element. I see the overall scene as one of renewal and reuse. Instead of continuing to expand the city’s footprint by developing outside the city core; projects such as this bring new vitality to what was once a rundown and under utilized section of Louisville. I like documenting these sorts of projects and attempting to create a piece of art that will tell future generations what our wonderful city was doing at the turn of the century.
From a technical point of view this is a three exposure bracket set using -2, 0, and +2 Exposure Values. It has been merged in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2. I used the Deep #1 preset where I made some adjustments to the tonality settings and dropped a control point in the street to darken it slightly. (There was a minor snowstorm through here a couple of weeks ago and the street still has a salt residue on it which left it very grey.) I then returned the merged files to Aperture 3 where I completed my adjustments and sharpening.
