December 2009 Winner - Let There Be Light

[mark.carline]

Let there be light on a Sunday Christmas Morning

Note: Click on image above to see full size image on FlickR.

Original Image: 3 x AEB pictures taken at:
Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Lense: Tamron 17-50mm LD Di on cheap jessops tripod
AEB Exposures: 1 sec / 2 secs and 4 secs.
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 17 mm
ISO Speed: 100

PP:
HDR processed in Photomatix
Some artifacts cloaned out in CS4 along with:
- any modern business signs
- pillar post on top left hand side
- modern council bin on right hand path

 

[shotokan101]

Stunning shot Mark - very Xmas Card look to it.

Any particular reason you cropped off the top of that building ? - only thing that takes away from the beauty IMO.

I see from the Flickr info that it's in Chester Mark but where precisely ?

JIm

 

[mark.carline]

Any particular reason you cropped off the top of that building ? - only thing that takes away from the beauty IMO.

The original image wasnt cropped at all. This was at 17mm and i could have done with a slightly wider angle to get it all in.

I see from the Flickr info that it's in Chester Mark but where precisely ?

Top of Bridge Street, also known as "the cross".

 

[shotokan101]

Thanks Mark - your just trying to justify that 14MM now - behave

I guess that it was a choice between fitting it all in and losing that viewpoint - pity

Still a great shot though and a strong entry

JIm

 

[nikonuser11]

well done Marc another inspiring shot

How many exposures did you use in photomatix? ie 3x 1sec, 3x 2secs etc? or was it 9 exposures in total in one pic?

 

[mark.carline]

well done Marc another inspiring shot

How many exposures did you use in photomatix? ie 3x 1sec, 3x 2secs etc? or was it 9 exposures in total in one pic?

three shots at 1 sec, 2 secs and 4 secs - if only my 450d could do more

 

[nikonuser11]

three shots at 1 sec, 2 secs and 4 secs - if only my 450d could do more

thanks, so the exposure was the same at each or different?
P.S what lens as I use a 450d also

 

[mark.carline]

thanks, so the exposure was the same at each or different?
P.S what lens as I use a 450d also

lense was a "Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II"

I used aperture priority mode "Av" (as i do normally anyway 99% of the time) and set it to f8 which is the sharpest F stop for this lense with the highest depth of feild.Then used AEB on the 450 with a -2,0,+2 to give me three exposures, one two stops under (dark), one perfect (looked ok) and one two stops over. You need to use Av when using AEB as this ensures that the detail of the image doesnt change between the bracketing. The resultant 3 exposures (all raw CR2 files) where combined in Photomatix.

The original normal exposure shot looked rubbish, alot of the dark areas under the rows (the raised shopping area) where all black - thats where the HDR process comes into its own as this area of the picture was taken from the (two stops) over exposed image.

 

[existent]

it's a bit too much HDR for my taste, but I still like it a lot

It really does feel like a Christmas card

 

[weetsie]

nuked

why would you use photomatrix when you have CS4?

 

[mark.carline]

nuked

why would you use photomatrix when you have CS4?

because each HDR package tends to give a completely different final result.

 

[weetsie]

i see

 

[tryingtimes]

I'm not normally a fan of Photomatix HDRs done to this degree. But I have to say this works really well within the boundaries of Christmas
Very nice job!

 

[mark.carline]

.....this works really well within the boundaries of Christmas

great! an excuse for more HDR

 

[shotokan101]

great! an excuse for more HDR

At least for a couple of weeks a year

Jim

 

[mark.carline]

At least for a couple of weeks a year

Jim

better make the most of it then !

 

[shotokan101]

better make the most of it then !

...and of course there's always Halloween

Jim

 

[Steve N]

Great picture, I love it, well done

 

[existent]

nuked

why would you use photomatrix when you have CS4?

Photomatrix produces better results than CS4's built-in HDR I think.

 

[mark.carline]

Photomatrix produces better results than CS4's built-in HDR I think.

Agreed!

 

[SprocketRocket]

Its interesting, cause I don't really like HDR on the whole, but this definatley has that magical christmas feeling to it so it works. well done sir.

 

[jumpt_upmunky]

reminds me of a coke advert (holidays are coming one)
I like the composition, you're eye gets a workout!

 

[johnaalex]

Great shot - and I am not a great HDR fan, but this does work well .

 

[mark.carline]

Great shot - and I am not a great HDR fan, but this does work well .

wow John! - you said something positive about HDR ! - mark the calendar! lol

 

[nikonuser11]

Marc, you are opening the eyes of the unbelievers, well done