Pictures - B&W Gallery

New "Black and White" gallery was uploaded to the following location. Note - There are a few instances of each picture, the outcome of a different image processing method.

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/BlackWhite2

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Pictures - Natural Looking HDR Pics

This entry summarizes the recent activity with HDR photography. Following some information items and recommendations.

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First, the last milestone of this activity is natural looking, HDR processed pictures. The picture above is considered difficult to handle, due to the heavy contrast. In addition, the trees are back light by the sun (See the shadows direction). The HDR process maintained the fine details. It also preserved their color.

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The full gallery, based on the same pictures of Tel-aviv and Jaffa is located in:

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/TLVJaffaNaturalHDR

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Some points to consider:

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1. The process was done with both Photoshop (CS3 and up) and Photomatix. The later, Photomatix, is recommended. It is cheaper, easier to use, provides some process options and any parameter can be user controlled. Photomatix has also better registration capability of the pictures.

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2. The source pictures are based on -1, 0 and +1 EV compensation.

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3. HDR processing options: Here, Tone Mapping with default setting was used. It gives natural looking output. Pictures are looking more of the way our eyes work. In the previous entry ("Pictures - HDR Pics Of Tel-Aviv and Jaffa"), the "Grunge" option was used. It generates a more artistic looking, colorful output.

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4. The HDR process is not suitable for action shots. The whole scene should be static, without any movement during capture.

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5. There is only a small difference between a true HDR process (Working with at least 3 differently compensated pictures) and simulation mode (Working out of a single picture !!!). The later is only possible with Photomatix.

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Bottom line - due to the restriction of item "4" the HDR process can not be a default picture taking method. It is best with scenic subjects. The HDR processing options and the detailed setting is up to the user preferences - It is the artistic part of the game here.

Pictures - HDR Pics Of Tel-Aviv and Jaffa

More HDR pictures of Tel-Aviv and Jaffa. This time, a real HDR process was performed. The generated images are cleaner with lower noise inside.

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Location:

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/TLVJaffaRealHDR

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Pictures - Paris with High Dynamic Range

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a photographic technique trying to overcome the limited dynamic range of digital imaging devices (Cameras...).
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A simulation of the process was performed over selection of pictures shot recently in Paris. The generated output shows many details lost in highlights and shadows. The color cast is muted and slightly shifted, looking more artistic then realistic. It seems that night shots are less suitable for this process due to their extensive deep shadows which translated into noise.
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Location:
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/ParisHighDynamicRange
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The original pictures, for comparison, are located in:
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir60/Paris102009Selection
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Pictures - "Color Inside" Album

New album of images where the subject is differentiated from the background by color. The background is muted into Black and white and blurred.
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Based on real pictures, processed with Photoshop.
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Location:
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/ColorInside

Pictures - Digital Portraits Album

Located in:
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/DigitalPortraits

Cameras - Nikon's Advanced Amateur Kit

Second chapter of the kit recommendation series. It is advised to read the prefix of the first chapter "Cameras - Canon's Advanced Amateur Kit".

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Nikon is suggesting two body options for the advanced amateur photographer: D90 and D300s. From image quality aspect, both will get you very good image quality and relatively low noise, including high ISO. Major difference is the maximum FPS, which is higher for the D300s (Not talking about the pricing difference). Here, as with Canon, the photographer should decide how advanced he/she is. The D90 mode wheel provide the amateur oriented modes (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports...) while missing on the D300s (Assuming you know by yourself how to set the camera for each profile).

Three choices are avaiable for the prime zoom lens, spanning the range of quality and wide view up to convenience. The first choice is the wider 16-85mm providing 24-130mm coverage, image stabilized.

Next is the 18-105mm, slightly less wide but with extra moderate telephoto - translating to 28-150mm. Again, as with all suggested lenses, image stabilized.

 

Last prime zoom lens option is the 18-200mm, one lens doing all.

 

The telephoto zoom lens is 70-300mm (Exact model is AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED - the image stabilized VR version !!!!). The viewing angle is translated to impressive 105-450mm.

Speedlight is the second from range top SB-800.