Used 1 shot that I copied 3 times. Merged the 3 in Qtpfsgui after applying +/- 2EV and modified the resulting HDR image by using their stock "fattal" algorithm. Cropped the final in Capture NX, then actually used Irfanview to save it for the web.
Had another one ready to go using Photomatix, but decided to try the free software, and got surprising results (did I mention that it's freeware?!). BTW, the lens is the AF 80-200mm with the sliding zoom/focus, not the D version.
Statistics
Place: 146 out of 155 Avg (all users): 4.7461 Avg (commenters): 3.3333 Avg (participants): 4.6395 Avg (non-participants): 4.8318 Views since voting: 807 Views during voting: 446 Votes: 193 Comments: 14 Favorites: 0
Thanks for your comments. Sometimes, I even had problems making out the bird! I'm not even sure if the HDR were less if this particular composition would work, it's very busy.
I am grateful that you posted a comment, I find them all comments expremely useful. This is a learning experience for me, and I look on the feedback as a tool to improve, and I think you're spot on!
Thanks for you honesty. The good news is that you actully gave me a vote, and I really appreciate it.
I can use the DPC forum to develop new skills that I wouldn't even have considered outside the forum. HDR is something I had never heard of last week, so at this time I'm way better off than I was prior.
I value the criticism this forum can provide. If I lived in an isolated bubble where I never interfaced with others, I might think I was Ansel Adams, and that would be very sad indeed.
I shall be rating this challenge by the following criteria:
1 - Not HDR in my opinion
3 - HDR is way over-done, in my opinion
5 - A reasonable use of HDR, but not a very engaging photo, in my opinion
7 - A reasonable use of HDR, and an engaging photo, in my opinion
10 - A fantastic use of HDR, and an out of this world photo, in my opinion
Your photo receives:
3
Thanks for taking a minute to look the photo over. I agree, the image tends to look artificial. Because of all the grass around the bird, the HDR tends to harshen the overall feel of the composition. The original is actually not too bad, so maybe this particular photo was not a great choice for HDR.
I value the comments I was given because they'll help me discover how others see my work, and allow me to improve over time.
Thank you for your comment. Actually, the version that is posted here is pretty distant from the original, but like you said, there's not much dynamic range. This is all fairly new to me, so I am using the comments from other photographers to see where I can improve.
Next time I can really dig a little deeper to find a greater range, with less background clutter, and maybe even get some improved comments!
I'm really grateful you took the time to look and comment, the help is invaluable.
Comes off to me as a bit overdone on the tonemapping. The bird does not really stand out from the busy background for me.
Actually couldn't agree with you more. I'm just now coming to terms with the huge talent base at DPC. I find the opportunity of competing with other like minded folks, and the chance at getting unbiased criticism invaluable.
Moving subjects are not easy, nor plausible, subjects for multiple HDR image blending. Good bird capture, but the image is not natural looking.
Thanks so much for posting a comment, I really appreciate it. Also thanks for your positive comment on the bird capture, the original is actually not too bad.
I agree with all you said, and can use your criticism to do better in the future. The technique is unknown by me prior to this competition, but I find it fairly fascinating.
With the help of folks like you who take time to comment, I can see how the image was experienced from a less biased (not me!) perspective. That's invaluable, especially when I get feedback.
Thank you very much for taking time to post a comment. I received just a few comments (more than my first post w/0 comments!). I am appreciative that everyone took time to provide some criticism, I am grateful. The idea of HDR is very new to me, so I accept this as part of my photographic education. I really feel encouraged that a forum esists where folks can post and compete with each other. I think it helps everyone.
This was my first try at HDR, but I don't think it'll be my last. I'm glad the opportunity came up to experience a new (to me) way of making photographs.