2016 Project 52, second quarter by Lindsay (CormacD)

[IzzieK]

I will admit it, Lindsay...I have only been learning about tonal range for about 5 minutes, how to compare it to dynamic vs tonal. So if I make a mistake in my assessment, please forgive me people...I will move on slowly here and see if I get my definition right.

I like #1 as the distribution of light here can lend itself to also being converted to black and white and you won't lose much by way of colouring.

#2 is the same scene as the first one but this one has got more brightness in the foreground which makes it really appealing to the eyes. The clouds are more pronounced too which creates the scene very dramatic.

#3 and #4 is a good study of tonal mapping...intensifying the colours of the original image via HDR...if that is what this means between the two photograph.

Very nice study and experimentation, Lindsay. Thank you for this post. It enables me to search what tonal mapping means and tonal range -- with examples too.

[Geoff F]

Yes, these images do work well and I'm surprised by the lack of any substantial noise from those dark areas.

[CormacD]

Thank you for your assessment and interest, Izzie. I was rather amazed at the results. I too do not know much, if anything of the theory of HDR and Tonal Mapping and certainly have not got a clue how the algorithms are worked out in the software. I have used the software previously to combine several different exposures for an HDR image but in this case I just converted one rather dark RAW image and it only took a few minutes for each one.

[CormacD]

Yes, these images do work well and I'm surprised by the lack of any substantial noise from those dark areas.

Yes Geoff, as I said it was your comment from last week that prompted me to try this out and I too am surprised at the result. Thank you for your interest.

[CormacD]

It has been a difficult week for me photography wise, wind, rain and the car in for repairs. Just two pics to give you a better feel for my home location. The first is when we had a strong cold front come through with gale force winds and heavy rain. The water in the canal at the back of our house came up about a meter. The second was taken this afternoon to show how everything has settled down. Slightly different aspect, but you will get the picture, so to speak.

#1 Cold Front on the canal 21/5/16, 10.19 am, ISO 180, 33.9 mm, f/8, 1/160 s.



#2 Today, all clear 29/5/16, 2.57 pm, ISO 100, 10 mm, f/13, 1/320 s

[Shadowman]

It has been a difficult week for me photography wise, wind, rain and the car in for repairs. Just two pics to give you a better feel for my home location. The first is when we had a strong cold front come through with gale force winds and heavy rain. The water in the canal at the back of our house came up about a meter. The second was taken this afternoon to show how everything has settled down. Slightly different aspect, but you will get the picture, so to speak.

#1 Cold Front on the canal 21/5/16, 10.19 am, ISO 180, 33.9 mm, f/8, 1/160 s.



#2 Today, all clear 29/5/16, 2.57 pm, ISO 100, 10 mm, f/13, 1/320 s

Nice captures, tough break. Really like the scenery of the aftermath.

[Geoff F]

The first shot is clearly taken under testing conditions but it has worked reasonably well and clearly shows the water height. But perhaps something to lose if you ever want to sell the house.

The second version looks good and that flag fluttering gently is a nice extra touch.

[IzzieK]

When I really retire Lindsay, I will want a backyard like yours so I do not have to have a back garden...Wow! Is your backyard part of the Swan River? Or is that the water they used to make Swan Lager? (I still remember Alan Bond...)Anyway, I like the ducks in #1 and the image itself tells a good story. #2 is better because the weather turned out beautiful. Love that flag there...

[CormacD]

Hi and thanks Izzie, we live on one of the man made canals near where the Murray River meets the Peel Inlet, about 80 km south from Perth centre in between Mandurah and Pinjarra. Nice quiet place.

[CormacD]

Geoff, yes the water I have shown is covering the boat landings and the bottom of the boat slipways in some of our neighbour's places. Although our boat landing/mooring does get covered a few times by the winter rain our back yard and house is higher and accessed by steps from the landing level. Although one can never know with global warming in the next 50 years or so.

[joebranko]

The canak looks like a raging river! Well captured!

[CormacD]

The canak looks like a raging river! Well captured!

Thanks Joe, yes it did look wild.

[CormacD]

John, Thanks for your ongoing support

[CormacD]

This week I attempted a 'tree' photo, I checked pot a nearby farm one morning and the light was great, but I was on my bike with no camera. Went back a couple of days later and got a few but the light was not as good and the composition not as good as I'd like. Anyway the week is up and here are two of the best for the week. The second shot is the same day and obviously sunset from our back yard. Did quite a few exposure bracketed shots and merged them, but this one is straight from the RAW with a little tweaking of the tones, looks realistic. Appreciate any suggestions for next time.

#1 Tree, 4 June 16, 9.08 am, ISO 280, 23.6mm, f/11, 1/160 s.



#2 Backyard sunset, 4 June 16, 5.45 pm, ISO 100, 10 mm, f/16, 0.6 s

[IzzieK]

I rather like the sunset...the colour blend is very nice and the sillouette is just right. Is that your ride on the river?

[CormacD]

I rather like the sunset...the colour blend is very nice and the sillouette is just right. Is that your ride on the river?

Thanks, Izzie, no that's our next door neighbor's put put. Ours is over to the right out of the water, out of the pic.

[joebranko]

I like both shots. The lighting in the Treee shot is great and the sunset is beautiful . Could /should the shadows be lights ed a bit? I guess that's personal preference. Mine would be to lighten it if possible.

[bnnrcn]

Both of them look lovely Lindsay

[Geoff F]

The first image looks a lot better in the lightbox mode where the detail shows up better. Is it a fraction on the yellow side or would going a little more to the blue side spoil the leaves? I'm thinking about getting a little more impact to the sky?

The second one is on the dark side but it still works for me. I wonder about a very small crop from the top and right side but I don't suppose it would make that much difference because you still need to see all the trees.

[CormacD]

I like both shots. The lighting in the Treee shot is great and the sunset is beautiful . Could /should the shadows be lights ed a bit? I guess that's personal preference. Mine would be to lighten it if possible.

Thanks Joe, tried to lighten shadows and think this merging of two exposures turned out OK. A light and a dark.