[acbc]

Took 3 bracketed shots F13 ISO 100 @18mm.
Merged to HDR using Photomatix Essentials and Processed in Lightroom 5. Made my best effort not to overcook .

On the way back during the bus ride the old lady stopped the bus at a road on the hill top to give us this grand view of the bay. It appeared as if the whole bay almost stood still for a moment to give me enough time to capture these shots. Please download to see the details of the street, the pier , all the boats and the casino.

Even if you dont want to nominate this - please feel free to leave a comment on where I can improve. That will help me a lot - since I am only making my first steps in this field and am self learning .

Sincerely
ACBC

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Last edited by acbc; 05-30-2014 at 12:24 PM. Reason: Edited description and heading

[acbc]

Dear Friends,
As mentioned in the posting above- even if you dont want to nominate please let me know your comments - so that I can understand and improve.

Sincerely
ACBC

[ausmoose]

Sorry to see no one else has nominated yet!
I really love this shot, so I will nominate and comment.
I have never succeeded with HDR and think you've done a really great job. The colours captured here are absolutely spectacular and although I haven't zoomed in this photo looks pretty sharp throughout as well.
I also really like your choice of composition with the powerful sky making a great appearance over the hills/mountain areas and town. What are those objects on the hills in the top left? I probably would have slightly lowered the view to make the sky about 1/3 instead of just over and to use the rule of thirds.
As I said earlier - these colours really grab my attention - very wonderful work. Looks like a very interesting area - so many things to look at in the photo with the boats, buildings, etc. etc.
You've done really well and I love this shot.
PS - how much do Photomatix and Lightroom cost? (not that I could afford them unless they were ~$5 which of course they're not) Photoshop HDR just isn't working for me.

[acbc]

Thank you ausmoose. Your comments have made my day :
The composition of sky and land was created using gradient filters in lifghtroom by further reducing exposure of sky and increasing temperature of the bay area.
Thanks for the comments on 1/3 - I was wondering whether I need to crop the image to present something like that but later decided to stick to the original.
There are some trees and an electirc power or transmission tower on the top left.

Photomatix cost me $33 after a 15% dis that they had.

[ausmoose]

Thank you ausmoose. Your comments have made my day :
The composition of sky and land was created using gradient filters in lifghtroom by further reducing exposure of sky and increasing temperature of the bay area.
Thanks for the comments on 1/3 - I was wondering whether I need to crop the image to present something like that but later decided to stick to the original.
There are some trees and an electirc power or transmission tower on the top left.

Photomatix cost me $33 after a 15% dis that they had.

Sounds interesting, by the rule of thirds I was meaning if you went back you could just point the camera at a slightly more downward facing angle. But great work!
Maybe one day I'll get Lightroom and Photomatix.. but first on my camera wish-list are a lot more lenses
Good luck with future HDR/photography