HDR with kids

HDR photos involve getting multiple exposures and combining them into one photograph and then tone mapping them to get details in bright and dark areas.

At least that is my one line understanding of the concept.

The best results seem to be for images shot in early morning or early evening where shadows play a big part of the shot and there are possibilities for increased hues and color saturation. Works best with monuments in the foreground, brick houses, waves etc.. you get the idea?! No, go see these photos..

You usually do not see photos of people in HDR because it is difficult for the subject to stay still while taking three shots (especially ones with long exposures).

The kids are extremely co-operative and have posed for >10000 photographs put together . .

So, here is a first attempt. Downloaded a trial version of PHotomatix to do this. Very very impressed with the software (better than the free version of FDR tools), but doubt the Mrs. will allow the real version to be purchased with the 99$ price tag. Nevertheless, a great tool to understand HDR better..

Suggestions and ideas for the kid-HDR learning part 2 are welcome!

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HDR

A HDR (High Dynamic Range)image got by superimposing 3 macro shots with 4 second exposure and f2.5, 4.0 and 9.0. Shot without flash using a Disney birthday cake figurine.. (this section shown in photo is around 2 centimeters. whole thing is 2 inches tall)

Just wanted to try it to see if it will bring out the details in the shadows. It does, but not the best use of the macro or the HDR freeware.

Need to find a dead fly.. and take a picture of its head. The live ones are too fast to capture...

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Small is the new big

Remember these angels from the Bokeh shots? It is about 2 1/2 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches tall..

The gummy vitamins in deep discussion..

A close look at Mahabaleshwar channa..

A violet flower (actually this is a bunch of buds, the flowers are almost white)... will have to wait for it to bloom tomorrow.

and almost got the bee....

Practice makes perfect. .

There will be lot of practice!

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Kid in a candy store..

There is only one thing worse than a kid in a candy store, and that is me with a macro...

The hibiscus that was all rolled up was nicely open today..

There is a delicate optimization between a swaying hibiscus and the depth of focus, which happens to be only a few millimeters or less with the macro. Either one has to hold the flower with one hand and take the shot with the other hand or tape the stem against a wall and use a tripod! (as in below picture).

Tulasi (holy basil).. just the tip swaying in the breeze.. Did you know that the basil is so complicated?

San's favorite hanging bird string from India..

and a beetle of some kind which produced some amazement to us this evening...

Somehow, knew deep down, that this wouldn't wait for thursday.

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A whole new world

The front yard, the backyard, the kids, the laptop.. every little thing was looked through fresh eyes.. lens + eyes that is and here are some results.

Rosemary bud..(actual size is about little one's pinkie nail!)

It is very difficult to take pictures of moving subjects where you are taking pictures so close at this magnification. Was trying to follow this bee for a good five minutes and all I got was this! More manuals have to be studied before the bee can be captured up close. There is also the fear of getting stung!

The hibiscus bud was still enough to be captured..

This one is a magnolia. Never knew this bud was this hairy!

Was inches from this rose.. practically touching it and still got a picture!

A red geranium bud from our front yard..

To capture my joy at this you have to realize what scales we are talking about .. this is a photo to show you size reference..

Now for my favorite subjects who posed for me so well.. especially when the camera was inches from their face and they had to stay still.. very very still!

and the earings! Never knew we could do a focus so sharp on an area so small and leave everything blurred. (please note, I have got this effect with the 18-200 set to 200mm when focusing on birds 20 feet away. This though is increrideeblllllllle!

The adventure with the lens will continue after thursday!

For now it is back to work and a busy three days.

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