A few captures in HDR from last week.

1.



2.



3.



4.

[deaning]

They really POP. Nice use of HDR that complements rather than dominates.

[GeoJerry]

Great pictures. Reminiscent of the old Dutch Masters paintings. The second one seems to have a bit of Van Gogh in it.

[slowpez]

I absolutely hate, hate, hate HDR until I see something like these. Absolutely wonderful. I love all of them but the second one is outstanding.

[123jippo]

Wow really nice! Can i request focal lenght and aperture used for these pics pls? and HDR software used also...

[newmikey]

Wow really nice! Can i request focal lenght and aperture used for these pics pls? and HDR software used also...

Of course you can! I keep no secrets...

1.Short trees, tall shadows:
Exposure times : 1/125, 1/400, 1/50, 1/1000 and 1/20 sec (1.3 EV difference between each step)
Aperture : F9
Exposure bias : 0 EV
Focal length : 8.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: Unknown)
ISO speed : 400
Exposure mode : Aperture priority
Metering mode : Center weighted average
White balance : Auto

2. Aladdin's genie
Exposure times : 1/250, 1/800, 1/100, 1/2000, 1/40 (again 1.3EV steps)
Aperture : F8
Exposure bias : 0 EV
Focal length : 16.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 24.0 mm)
ISO speed : 400
Exposure mode : Aperture priority
Metering mode : Center weighted average
White balance : Auto

3. Surhuisterveen sunset
Exposure timeS : 1/500, 1/320, 1/500, 1/125, 1/1250, 1/80 s (1 EV steps)
Aperture : F8
Exposure bias : -1 EV
Flash : No, compulsory
Focal length : 8.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 12mm)
ISO speed : 400
Exposure mode : Aperture priority
Metering mode : Center weighted average
White balance : Auto

4. Horizon highlight
Exposure times : 1/200, 1/500, 1/80, 1/1600, 1/30 (1 EV step)
Aperture : F7.1
Exposure bias : 0 EV
Focal length : 17.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 25.0 mm)
ISO speed : 400
Exposure mode : Aperture priority
Metering mode : Center weighted average
White balance : Auto

Used software and method (all images initially started as PEF raws):

1. LuminanceHDR (About ) open source and cross-platform HDR software capable of handling most any raw format in use.
Load PEF files into LuminanceHDR and let the program figure out how to align the handheld shots precisely.
Generated an OpenEXR 32-bits HDR file which was then tonemapped with two different tonemapping operators: Mantiuk06 and Fattal, each of which was saved as a 16-bit PNG file.

2. GIMP or CinePaint (CinePaint Docs), GIMP's older and slightly aging sibling which I sometimes use for layering as it does handle 16-bits.
a)Fattal file as base layer with the Mantiuk06 file layered on top at 34%-50% transparency.
b)Layer merge
c)Levels & curves
d)Layer duplicate
e)Desaturate top layer and set layer mode to "overlay"
f)Layer merge
g)Save as (GIMP: 8-bit, CinePaint: 16-bit) TIFF

3. NeatImage (Neat Image - best noise reduction for digital cameras and scanners), the only commercial and fully paid software package I use, mainly because of the quality of the results, their staunch linux support and their reasonable price and free update policy.
a)Analyze noise from program-selected image patch
b)Set noise-reduction preset to "Filter and sharpen"
c)Save result as 16-bit TIFF

4.ImageMagick (ImageMagick: Convert, Edit, Or Compose Bitmap Images) through a batched workflow
Resize to 33%, set black outline and add signature
Save as JPEG

[Sailor]

I dig all of these - particularly the third one. All have depth and punch but nicely avoid hitting you over the head with an HDR hammer. Great job, as usual.

Jer

[Fries]

As a actual Frisian (no not the cow) you really did my province justice here. They are surreal in a very beautiful way!

[charliezap]

A very pleasing look with the HDR.Well done.--charliezap

[fotogaffer]

Very nice. I usually find HDR effects too strong and unrealistic, but these are very well done. Thanks for sharing all the information as well as the photos.

[dadipentak]

It's great to see HDR done right.