PF Photography: Tips, Tricks, & Photo Sharing

[Andre]

Meanwhile,I hiked to my favorite panorama view for some more shots, trying out RAW conversion.

The scenery after toying with RAW:

Here 100% size crops of the centre rock. Left the standard JPEG output, right reworked RAW, with a little sharpening and color enhancement.

Clear that it's a good idea to go for RAW.

 

[turbo]

Looks like Andre's having fun! Very pretty vista!

 

[Andre]

You can say that again. BTW, that's the Danube valley in Southern Germany. The village is "Hausen I am Tal".

 

[Borek]

Was your jpg saved with sharpening, or not?

 

[Andre]

No, just on default, no NR, no sharpening

 

[turbo]

I tried shooting RAW for a while Andre, and went back to jpeg because it's fast and easy, and Windows previews jpegs automatically. I may have to give RAW another critical trial.

 

[Andre]

The software is probably improved since then Turbo. I can shoot RAW without noticable delay, although the buffer may saturate eventually in continuous shooting. Also, full size JPEG's are stored. The RAW converter tool gives a good overview for selection of the best pictures to convert and is definitely user friendly. I can not think of excuses not to use RAW, oh yes the SD cards fills up quickly. Well I have more cards.

 

[Borek]

In my experience buffer will saturate no matter what format you use.

Just checked that cr2 is read by irfan view about as fast as jpg, that's a little bit surprising - it was much slower when I checked last year. Could be either irfan was optimized, or it is much faster on my Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz. Will give raw another try then, I was using it only occasionally, for really hard/tricky shots, as I found them to be slow to use on my previous machine (which was 2.4 GHz, so not that slow).

 

[~christina~]

wow, nice detail Andre.
I don't shoot raw because I would need to buy another program to convert from raw pics AND raw photos take up lots and lots of space on memory cards. It's annoying since I have photoshop but Canon and other companies give the raw converter WITH their camera when you purchase it.

I keep in mind that I used to use (3) 2.0mp cards and (1) 1.0mp card when taking pics and I filled them until they were full. (I don't think I'd be able to have the space to shoot raw, the way I take pics.

 

[Andre]

wow, nice detail Andre.
I don't shoot raw because I would need to buy another program to convert from raw pics AND raw photos take up lots and lots of space on memory cards. It's annoying since I have photoshop but Canon and other companies give the raw converter WITH their camera when you purchase it.

I keep in mind that I used to use (3) 2.0mp cards and (1) 1.0mp card when taking pics and I filled them until they were full. (I don't think I'd be able to have the space to shoot raw, the way I take pics.

Thanks Christina, but isn't there a RAW (NEF) converter somewhere on the standard NIKON software? Anyway, there is freeware:

http://www.graphicregion.com/ablerawer.htm
http://raifra.fh-friedberg.de/Mac/index-en.html

 

[Borek]

It turns out that irfan - while shows raw files pretty fast - cuts them down to half resolution when converting to tiff And Photoshop (at least the version that I have) doesn't open cr2. So I am forced to use Canon utility with its awkward user interface to convert and fine tune gamma/white balance, to later use Photoshop to crop and resize. Hardly convenient.

 

[Andre]

Are you referring to Canon Digital Photo Professional 2? My version is 3.3

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page18.asp

That's what I used and found it easier than Silkypix that came with Panasonic. I see no issues with white balance here. But indeed a cropping tool would have been nice.

There should be plug ins for photoshop, allowing for the .CR2 format.

 

[Borek]

I have version 2.2, will have to check if it is possible to upgrade. There are Photoshop plugins, but they are pricey. Or at least they were for me when I checked last year.

Hah, looks like you can download newest version (3.4.1) of Digital Photo Professional for free. Will try.

 

[~christina~]

Thanks Christina, but isn't there a RAW (NEF) converter somewhere on the standard NIKON software? Anyway, there is freeware:

http://www.graphicregion.com/ablerawer.htm
http://raifra.fh-friedberg.de/Mac/index-en.html

Do you use any of the 2 softwares? I assume you don't but I'm not a fan of downloads. (don't trust that they're just software but rather include virus')

 

[Andre]

Do you use any of the 2 softwares? I assume you don't but I'm not a fan of downloads. (don't trust that they're just software but rather include virus')

Right, you should not. Actually there should be software from Nikon available:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/page16.asp

the "Nikon Capture NX", it should be on the CD than came with the camera and a second version here: http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2008/0603_01.htm

But as you can see, there is not a lot to gain with the first version, to go through all the trouble, perhaps the second version is worth a try.

 

[larkspur]

Pink sky at night...

Pink sky at night...I was driving down a country road and saw this cloud formation. I decided to take some bracketed shots and try an HDR with the scene.

 

[turbo]

Very pretty! The borders of the hills/trees are a bit hot but the image has potential, if you are ready to devote TONS of time to Photoshopping.

 

[larkspur]

Very pretty! The borders of the hills/trees are a bit hot but the image has potential, if you are ready to devote TONS of time to Photoshopping.

I may have the time but don't know what to do with the image...

 

[~christina~]

I may have the time but don't know what to do with the image...

I like the image but it looks like you already spent a great deal of time on it. Was it taken when completely dark? (you said it was taken at night)

 

[Borek]

I was close to ask about HDR when you have posted previous picture (the one you have just entered into tranquility contest) - now I know the answer

Great shot.

I believe larkspur referred to the way picture looks, not time of the day. Sun is high on the picture, so it can't be night.

 

[larkspur]

I like the image but it looks like you already spent a great deal of time on it. Was it taken when completely dark? (you said it was taken at night)

The pink sky at night was referring to the saying
"Pink sky at night sailors delight. Pink sky in the morning sailors warning"

The HDR is what is causing one of the problems in this shot. It has caused the weird look(that glowing fringe) to the trees at the border of land and sky. It also makes the texture of the rest of the ground look funny. While HDR can be a handy tool, obviously I have not mastered it.

 

[Borek]

Did you took pictures with tripod?

 

[~christina~]

The pink sky at night was referring to the saying
"Pink sky at night sailors delight. Pink sky in the morning sailors warning"

The HDR is what is causing one of the problems in this shot. It has caused the weird look(that glowing fringe) to the trees at the border of land and sky. It also makes the texture of the rest of the ground look funny. While HDR can be a handy tool, obviously I have not mastered it.

Oh. I never heard of that saying.

I think it looks very nice. Not natural but nice nonetheless.

The fringe problem looks like some of the trees moved on the left side of the picture...odd effect.

 

[larkspur]

Did you took pictures with tripod?

Oh. I never heard of that saying.

I think it looks very nice. Not natural but nice nonetheless.

The fringe problem looks like some of the trees moved on the left side of the picture...odd effect.

I think you guys figured out the fringe. I did use a tripod but when magnified I can tell there was movement.

Thanks Borek and Christina!

 

[Borek]

I have tried HRD with pictures made without tripod - just the first step is to find the best fit of both pictures. No idea what soft do you use, but I bet Photoshop - set layer mode to difference and move the layer content, you should be able to locate best position without problem. Most likely Ctrl and cursor keys will be the best, as you may need just a few pixels nudge.

Sorry if these things are obvious to you.

 

[~christina~]

I think you guys figured out the fringe. I did use a tripod but when magnified I can tell there was movement.

Thanks Borek and Christina!

Sure.

I've seen some amazing HDR images on other sites and I don't know how they do the 3 bracket exposure and get everygthing to fit perfectly. When I tried to do that myself, I found I had wind movement.

 

[BryanP]

Sure.

I've seen some amazing HDR images on other sites and I don't know how they do the 3 bracket exposure and get everygthing to fit perfectly. When I tried to do that myself, I found I had wind movement.

If there is something moving in the background, then it will be difficult to bracket 3 exposures and get a proper HDR image.

You can use the method of making 3 exposures out of a RAW image and creating an HDR out of that.

However, if you want things to fit perfectly with stationary situations, then you can just use a monopod or tripod and use exposure bracketing so when you take 3 continuous shots you get the normal/over/under exposure.

A lot of the difficulty behind HDR resides in post-processing the image.

 

[Borek]

No tripod here:

I think I can do better HDR out of these pictures, but it is 1 am here and my vision is blurred. Then, it was windy and trees were moving, so no matter how I try it won't be perfect ever.

 

[~christina~]

No tripod here:

I think I can do better HDR out of these pictures, but it is 1 am here and my vision is blurred. Then, it was windy and trees were moving, so no matter how I try it won't be perfect ever.

looks nice Borek!
Is this using Raw or normal image?

If there is something moving in the background, then it will be difficult to bracket 3 exposures and get a proper HDR image.

You can use the method of making 3 exposures out of a RAW image and creating an HDR out of that.

However, if you want things to fit perfectly with stationary situations, then you can just use a monopod or tripod and use exposure bracketing so when you take 3 continuous shots you get the normal/over/under exposure.

A lot of the difficulty behind HDR resides in post-processing the image.

true, but I would need to get Nikon's capture Nx to convert the raw photos.

I purchased a cheap tripod and it won't close..

 

[Borek]

looks nice Borek!
Is this using Raw or normal image?

jpg and thank you.

 

[Borek]

RAW this time and still no tripod. Slightly better IMHO, although obviously trees are difficult to deal with. It is still obvious where the pictures are connected.

 

[Andre]

I think I needed that trick here:

Somehow this could be the perfect illustration for the Untergang des Abendlandes

Pictures were made just over an hour ago.

 

[turbo]

I could have used such tricks with this first picture too. Light overcast sky and metal roof are washed out. This is a picture of my sister's house. No, we Mainers don't all live in log cabins - only the smart ones.

I couldn't let the chance pass to show you the front door:

And a detail of the decorations - twigs, acorns, pine cones, etc.

 

[lisab]

I think I needed that trick here:


Somehow this could be the perfect illustration for the Untergang des Abendlandes

Pictures were made just over an hour ago.

WOW that's a nice shot :!) ! Looks like something from a fairy tail!

 

[lisab]

I could have used such tricks with this first picture too. Light overcast sky and metal roof are washed out. This is a picture of my sister's house. No, we Mainers don't all live in log cabins - only the smart ones.

And a detail of the decorations - twigs, acorns, pine cones, etc.

I love it - did she do it herself?

 

[turbo]

I love it - did she do it herself?

Yep! She and her boyfriend both like to decorate with natural stuff and "found" objects. In the flower garden in front of her deck, there is a treadle-type grinding wheel and an old iron hand-pump, like the one in our grandparents' house.

 

[Andre]

WOW that's a nice shot :!) ! Looks like something from a fairy tail!

Yes, it's an impressive castle with an incredible rich history going back to the eleventh century.

Burgh Hohenzollern, only about 15 miles from my German residence, root of the main german kings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burg_Hohenzollern

 

[Borek]

Can't say I am able to do much, but at least I can show that I tried.

Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done with the sky/land border. Mostly becasue that border doesn't exist.

Could be one can get better results taking a picture in which first plan (hill/forest/castle) is much brighter and combining this first plan with dark background and sky.

 

[~christina~]

Yes, it's an impressive castle with an incredible rich history going back to the eleventh century.

Very nice castle pic Andre! why couldn't you use the trick there? you have the program to convert raw pics right?

I finally have seen a sunset just like that one the other day and the problem was that I did not have my camera available on hand. I'm going past that same location next week so hopefully I pass there just at the right time. (highway)

I also like that door Turbo. I was thinking that it was yours but I assume by your comments, that it is not.

 

[Borek]

Great shots turbo and great place :!)

(it is about place and shots, not about Turbo - I mean, I like him, but let's not go too far ).

 

[Andre]

Very nice castle pic Andre! why couldn't you use the trick there?

It's the HDR trick, Christina,

Notice that the contrast range during that sunset is to large to show both details of the castle and details of the clouds around the sun. Notice that Borek did a good job merging the better parts of the two pictures. But I'm not familiar with that technique. Too much to do.

 

[~christina~]

It's the HDR trick, Christina,

Notice that the contrast range during that sunset is to large to show both details of the castle and details of the clouds around the sun. Notice that Borek did a good job merging the better parts of the two pictures. But I'm not familiar with that technique. Too much to do.

Oh, I know what that is but I thought that you would need 3 shots with it and that 2 would not be acceptable. You do have PS right, Andre? (PS would need 3 shots too actually merge pics into an HDR shot and there is some other program that would do it with 1 if you have a raw photo)

 

[Andre]

You do have PS right, Andre?

No, I didn't bother because I had no idea where to get to time learning to work with it. I guess it's inevitable now, if I want to stay in business, seeing what you can do with larkspur's and Borek's results.

I attempted to download a freeware HDR-maker yesterday, but then all the alerts went off. A trojan virus (Avast! is great). So no dice.

 

[Borek]

Oh, I know what that is but I thought that you would need 3 shots with it and that 2 would not be acceptable. You do have PS right, Andre? (PS would need 3 shots too actually merge pics into an HDR shot and there is some other program that would do it with 1 if you have a raw photo)

I am not using any of the automatic stuff present in new CS2 or CS3 Photoshop, as all I have is an outdated CS - so I am forced to manual processing. Could be these automatic procedures require more than two pictures - shame on them then

For me 2 shots are enough although even then I use 3 pictures - two of them being bright and dark ones, and third being a mask - but I am making this third using one of original pictures. You may try to fake two pictures starting with one and modifying its histogram to get one dark and one light picture, but it won't give as good results as two separate, original pictures.

Google HDR tutorial, there is a plenty of very good explanations on the web. I know only a few simple tricks and my experience is close to zero.

 

[~christina~]

No, I didn't bother because I had no idea where to get to time learning to work with it. I guess it's inevitable now, if I want to stay in business, seeing what you can do with larkspur's and Borek's results.

I attempted to download a freeware HDR-maker yesterday, but then all the alerts went off. A trojan virus (Avast! is great). So no dice.

My suspicions on those "free" software, being virus ridden is confirmed. PSCS2 is good (I have it) but you get to use the features one by one if you learn on your own. I think that they only sell the latest versions in stores though.

I am not using any of the automatic stuff present in new CS2 or CS3 Photoshop, as all I have is an outdated CS - so I am forced to manual processing. Could be these automatic procedures require more than two pictures - shame on them then

For me 2 shots are enough although even then I use 3 pictures - two of them being bright and dark ones, and third being a mask - but I am making this third using one of original pictures. You may try to fake two pictures starting with one and modifying its histogram to get one dark and one light picture, but it won't give as good results as two separate, original pictures.

Google HDR tutorial, there is a plenty of very good explanations on the web. I know only a few simple tricks and my experience is close to zero.

Lucky you..For me, I have to use 3 shots or the computer says they're not enough, "dynamic range" to work with. I tried to adjust the same picture 3 times but the computer would not be fooled. I had to tweak the picture a whole lot before it would accept it and after that, the final product looked as if someone were looking into the sun. (very washed out)

I'll get it right someday.

 

[Borek]

Lucky you..For me, I have to use 3 shots or the computer says they're not enough, "dynamic range" to work with.

There is absolutly no problem with you following exactly the same path I do - and doing HDR manually. I will try to find a tutorial that will deal with the manual approach.

 

[Borek]

A little bit about th eapproach I am using, although it doesn't tell many important things about creating layer mask:

http://www.adidap.com/2006/11/25/photoshop-tutorial-hdr/

Sorry, I can't locate perfect tutorial that I have read last year, it is either no longer available or I forgot too many details to locate it with Google. I have not gave up yet, but don't hold your breath.

 

[~christina~]

A little bit about th eapproach I am using, although it doesn't tell many important things about creating layer mask:

http://www.adidap.com/2006/11/25/photoshop-tutorial-hdr/

Sorry, I can't locate perfect tutorial that I have read last year, it is either no longer available or I forgot too many details to locate it with Google. I have not gave up yet, but don't hold your breath.

I'll try that after next week and see what happens. Thanks for that tutorial, Borek.

 

[turbo]

Here is a blue-flag (iris) in the shaded little frog-pond near my vegetable garden. As luck would have it, the only little glimmer of sunlight that got through the trees was on the flower. I'm not really happy with the DOF, but it was pretty dark in there.

 

[Borek]

Warsaw, last week, Old City. Street Art Festival. We haven't seen too much as we were late.

TukkersConnexion, Turn Up.

And now, Ladies and Gentelman, I know you all think Warsaw and Poland are somwehere in the far east... But it is all relative and in reality we are far to the west from the east and we don't see these things every day:

Edit: I was just suggested (on some other forum) that this picture should be titled UFO over Warsaw. As such it is for Ivan

Honestly, I don't like these pictures. I should took better ones.