I'm a free spirited aging hippie
who loves talking to flowers, chasing rainbows
and photographing all the beauty that surrounds us
Thanks for taking a peek into my little world
Laura

Saturday, January 14

Quiet Waters ~


Some have asked about my techniques, and I'm flattered!   I'll attempt to pass along some of what I've learned, from so many of you.
 
 I shoot in RAW and use Photoshop Elements 9 and Topaz (the bundle) which I love.
I mostly shoot in HDR (high dynamic range).. but not always.  I'm still learning what to shoot which way. 

HDR is taking three (or more) photos of the same scene in three exposures (-2, 0, +2) to create a single image.   I use Photomatix Pro for processing, tone-mapping.  
I shot this image in HDR and processed it pretty much straight forward.

14 comments:

Arija said...

Lovely shot, as are your others as well.

ADRIAN said...

This is a beauty of an image.
I too use Photomatix but have booted Topaz. It will process at least a dozen images. Can be handy for church interiors or any other area with massive contrast.
I agree JPEG is lousy...sorry I meant lossy.

Mel said...

Point........press button....keep walkin'.

;-)

I really like this photo. And from what you've described here, I now know how it is that you maintain such a high integrity photo with brilliant colours.

Liz said...

Gorgeous image Laura!
I haven't shot in RAW yet. My biggest problem was my laptop couldn't handle the size of my photos in JPEG as the graphics card was severely lacking in power (as was my computer). Now I have a brand new laptop with a beefy graphics card and maximum RAM... I should switch to RAW

Ruby said...

I have a basic model dslr but I have used it as point and shoot although the format is RAW. I'm looking forward to your lessons like these in simple words. Detailed techie info scare me.Thanks!

grammie g said...

Hi Laura..Lovely reflection ..thankd for the info!!
Grace

joaquín said...

I suppose you always use tripod to do HDR

Stephanie said...

Thanks for clarifying on how you take your photos and editing them. I shoot in raw as well. So photomatix is worth it to purchase?

Fabulous reflection.

Kaya said...

Laura, thank you very much for sharing with us your techniques.

That is a beautiful HDR photo work. I love that it is not a heavy HDR.

I am learning HDR photography and i am very excited to hear from you more about it.

I am looking forward for more of your wonderful and fantastic work!!!!

This is one amazing HDR photograph. Everything is wonderful in it.

Greetings from Kaya.

Grace said...

And didn't the water behave for you on that shot:) It stayed so perfectly still and posed just right.

Wanted to let you know that I think you are very talented and that I very much appreciate your work.

Also wanted to let you know that your photos are very calming.

Asthma is a big issue in my life, thus breathing is a big deal for me. Often I carry a quite a bit of tension in my shoulders and chest as I struggle to inhale and exhale. Not always, but often. Most people never know that about me because its just part of every day life.

It's that way so often, that sometimes even when I don't have to tighten my chest to breathe, I do...because it has become 2nd nature to me now.

I only mention all of this to you because looking at your photos is soothing and I find that I automatically relax a bit when viewing your work.

Your photo's are quite calming.

I have posted about the photo's of several bloggers today, and each one has a different impact.

Yours however...simply help me to breathe easier.

And that is a very high compliment indeed.

Thank you for posting your artistry. It is enchanting.

I'll stop by again soon.


In Him,
Grace

Rick said...

Just went through a number of your recent posts Laura - I always find them stunning with beautiful light and clarity as well as vivid colours.

I've been gradually learning and experimenting with HDR (Photomatix Pro); I've been a bit leery since I've seen it overdone (not here). I've loaded the s/w req'd to process RAW but now need to start shooting in RAW. No PS yet although I do have a few other (rudimentary) editing tools. Thanks for sharing.

Dan said...

Beautiful setting and your application of HDR treatment is excellent.

Your write-up is well written too. :)

Scott Law said...

Very pretty and I like the fact that your HDR images are not over done, but look like what you might really see.

Juliana said...

nice picture!
beautiful park...
i like it))