Tried to do some HDR shots

[Danny46]

You want to lower your aperture if your goal is to increase background bokeh. I'm not sure what camera you're shooting with, but both nikon and Canon offer a cheap 50mm prime lense which is a fantastic lens for exactly this type of photography. You can find them between $50-150.

Sorry should have clarified. Small aperture number i.e. 1.8 is actually a bigger hole than a big aperture number like f22 which is a small hole, which is what I ment by bigger aperture. Backwards and confusing, I know lol. I didnt design it. I have the Canon 50mm 1.8 and you can find it for around 100. Excellent lens! It is a prime lens though (does not twist or "zoom") but you cant beat it for the price/performance.

Nice shot CJ, great example of some Bokeh lol

[Danny46]

I like "mildly" done HDR. Very mildly. In some instances you can get some really great pictures. I am not a fan of the super crazy, whole picture looks like it is glowing, HDR at all. Its more than just a contrast boost though, its actually a fairly intricate process merging multiple photos together.

[Ratt]

eggzachly. it's terrorism.

I tried to tell that to a guy I work with. Here's his website:

https://www.flournoyphotography.com

He WAY over-does it.

[Danny46]

^Yeah that guy does a lot of HDR. Hes got some good stuff but he does over do it on quite a few shots.

There is definitely a niche for HDR, some people like it. And I've seen some HDR prints that came out well and would look nice in a home. I'm not a huge fan and it is a bit past what I would consider formal photography but Photoshop manipulation has become an art form on its own IMO and a lot of HDR falls in that category.

[Hines57]

Here's one I did o my buddies bike for him. I used a 50mm f1.8

[Hines57]

I think alot of people tend to over do it with HDR. If done correctly you can bring out the colors in things nicely

[johnny--2k]

What program are you using to merge the photos? I have had really good luck with photomatix, and if you search, you can find crack codes for the full version. Also, just depends on the coloring. I have done some HDR at night and during the day, here are a few of mine. All depends on the level of reality/fake that you want to get with it.


Click to enlarge!!


My very first attempt:










Second Try... a bit over exposed, but the one of the acura is a combo of 8 shots and a lot of PS work to get the overlay with the motor...








Next try...some of my favorites in B&W

[johnny--2k]

Some more of friends and my cars mixed in.

[Coupe81]

Mine not the best but I ain't no pro

[Hines57]

Mustangfreak you are shooting in RAW format correct?

[jskwarek]

I'm not sure your software actually did any tonemapping. According to your EXIF data I only see one image.

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Image Date: 2011-12-21
Focal Length: 43mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure Time: 0.0008 s (1/1250)
ISO equiv: 100
Exposure Bias: -1.33 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Caption: HDRtist HDR - http://www.ohanaware.com/hdrtist/
Software: HDRtist 1.3.2


CJ's got you covered on the other details.

Just for shits and giggles, here's an HDR of the bike my brother and I built. HDR seems way over done now a days, but used correctly, it can really bring details out in an object that would otherwise be lost in a single exposure. I.E., an all black bike.

Jason

[Hines57]

I agree if done correctly HDR can be very helpful in capturing detail and color. But don't overdo it with the contrast and cartoon look

[GE]

Just a quick one from the HDR merge crap thing in Photoshop.

[motoman]

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Image Date: 2011-12-21
Focal Length: 43mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Exposure Time: 0.0008 s (1/1250)
ISO equiv: 100
Exposure Bias: -1.33 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Caption: HDRtist HDR - http://www.ohanaware.com/hdrtist/
Software: HDRtist 1.3.2


CJ's got you covered on the other details.

Just for shits and giggles, here's an HDR of the bike my brother and I built. HDR seems way over done now a days, but used correctly, it can really bring details out in an object that would otherwise be lost in a single exposure. I.E., an all black bike.

Jasonk

Good to see you here and posting at this site Jason. Gorgeous bike btw! What all are you shooting with these days?

[jskwarek]

Hey man. hope you and the family had a great Christmas. I've got the best of both worlds right now. I'm shooting a 5D Mark II for full frame and a 7D for the speed at the track. Just picked up a 35L and this thing rocks on the 5D.

Thanks for the comments on the bike, that thing is truly a labor of love. My brother and I spent two years putting that thing together in my garage.

Jason