HDR

I was experimenting HDR technique for a while but never got the effect that I wanted.
Somehow I feel the HDR from PS CS3 doesn't seem to be give me the effect that I wanted. Either the PS lacks in that area or I am too amatuer to know how to harness its capabilities.
Anyway I was experimenting with Photomatix, another highly recommended software from forums. It works pretty well.
A quick summary how to create a HDR.
1) AV priority
2) That at least 3 bracketed shots. Basically what I like to do is to set to continuous shot. Set my AEB and set it on a tripod and fire away. If you like take about 5 to give it a more dynamic effect
3) Use photmatix to merge them to create a HDR
4) Use Photoshop to tune up the pictures. Bascially I generally use Curves, Contrast and Saturation layers. The Others are for a need basis.







These Pictures are a little too dramatic but I like it that way. I was trying to push it all the way to its limit.

Shy@n

Fireworks! Fireworks!

Headed down for the Firework Display Last night.
So had another crack with taking fireworks.
I did not really did my homework and find out what is the best way and what is the best setting to use. But I vaguely remembering some techniques I read a couple of weeks ago. So this time instead of using full aperture, I was trying out with F11 with 5" and other varying combinations, together with placing my cap on and off while taking the shots. Anyway, I was using the Canon EF 20-35mm lens hoping to capture more of the fireworks
I am reasonably happy with some of the results but I think there is a lot of room for improvement.
A few things I think I would probably need to find out which Lens is best for fireworks( I was thinking the fisheye lens, with 180deg field of view, I could easily capture the landscape and the full spectrum of the fireworks) The Timing to cover the lens. The exposure levels and the aperture settings.
Here are some of my best shots for that evening.

Shy@n

Hanoi!

Well finished editing most of my hanoi Pictures.

There are too many to be posted here.

Here are some of my favourite shots. The rest can be found in Flickr.

The shots was taken mainly in raw and in different exposure.

In a way I was wrong to take every single shot at -2 0 and +2 EV compensation. (Waste Memory Space)

Here they are.

Shy@n

Portraits

Taken using 50mm EF Lens.

Elaine's First Trial on my SLR

Shy@n

Henderson Bridge

These night shots of Henderson Bridge was taken close to midnight last month.
I took these pictures using Maneul Mode.

Full Aperture and shutter of roughly 10" to 20".

The post picture processing using photoshop and photomatix for HDR

I realised that for HDR pictures, I should have used AV priority and used different exposure to get the shadow and highlight details. Nevertheless, I am relatively happy with the effect.

Shy@n

Hanoi Opera House Picture

Took a break from editing other pictures to start on my Hanoi Trip.

The first batch I did was from my Hanoi Trip.

The pictures are taken on a clear blue day on one fine afternoon.

I took the shot using my 18-55mm Kit lens and 55-250mm lens.

Basically 2 filters. Polarized Filters and UV Filters. ( Polarized Filter realy helped to bring out the clear blue sky and reduce the glare from the bright sun)

I am happy with how the pictures turned out before and after editing.

Little Editing was required. Bascially I used the curve function ( to improve exposure and increase contrast), the sharpen edges and on occasion Hue/Saturation functions( to bring out certain colours). The rest are the usual Black and White technique treatment with some dodging and burning. Enjoy =)

Shy@n

Sorry been busy

Been to Hanoi the last few days.
Took tons of pictures about 8gb worth!
I still have a project on hand to complete. So the Hanoi Pictures will have to wait.

Will post them once I finish editting.
Behind in lots of things.
Photo Editing.....Photoshop Tutorials..and other pictures which I want to edit...zzzzz


Shy@n

Photography In General

After having started photography not too long ago, I must say my impression of photography has changed quite a bit.

I used to think what's so difficult of taking a few pictures. Point and shoot. The layman's point of view.

But having started reading and physically trying out photography, I realise taking a picture is easy, but capturing the moment and feeling and emotion is the greatest challenge.
The technical details of handling a camera, everyone can do it with enough time, but the art of taking a picture is one that come with one's creativity and experiences.

Digital age now has made photograph so much cheaper. We can take tons of pictures and delete them later on. I cannot imagine in the old days where those photographers who had to use film with no way of previewing their picture and only to know the results in the darkroom ( like a student waiting for the result of an important exams) These days with so many software around, a badly taken picture can be made into one that could make it to a magazine cover.

So do photographer and a photoshopper(as I call it) both consider artists in their own right?
I would like to think so.

By the way, I got my EF-S 55-250mm IS. Pretty decent lens at a rather affordable price. =)
I would test it out in Hanoi.

Next 2 items on my wishlist for my camere is the Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 Super Wide Lens w/EOS Mount as well as the Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens. Seems to be rather decent and at a reasonable price too. Those would have to wait....Limited Budget.

Busy editing pictures these days. So will post as soon as they are done. =)

Shy@n

The Wonders of Photoshop

Have not posted any pictures these days as I am experiment with photoshop.
I am currently just trying to go through some of the basic techniques and understand some of the functions.

The good thing is that now on the net, there are many resources which can help enlighten you about each aspects of photoshop.

There are a whole lot of video tutorials available online, which provides a very good introduction to all the various techniques these days. Texturing is one of the new technique which I just learnt today. It is amazing how a little texturing makes your picture look.

I am currently photoshopping some pictures which I took for a very good friend. Pretty happy with some of the results. I will have to show the characters in the picture first before I can release here.

I am thinking of getting 2 lens. One Fish-Eye Lens and a Canon EF 55-250mm IS lens.
That I guess will have to wait...

Watch this Space for new pictures!

Shy@n

Chimes as you know it....

Before & After

Went through some tutorials on photoshop and decide to apply some methods which I have learnt. This was a picture of Chimes which I took one afternoon as I was passing through.

The orginal picture was unimpressive so I decide to do some editing.
Chimes being a place of joy and happiness for many wedding dinners.
So I decide to give Chimes an eerie and gothic feel.

Basically, I did some toning on the clouds.
Burn the shadows and Dodge the Highlights to increase the contrast
Then I apply the glow effect to give it that eerie feel

Shy@n