A World in HDR – review

World in HDR

I finally got around to reading Trey Ratcliff’s new book, A World in HDR. In a blog post a few days ago, I mentioned that I recently met Trey and was fortunate to attend his HDR (high dynamic range) image workshop in Tampa. I had already pre-purchased his book, but I confess I just now got around to reading it! Not just pursuing his amazing images, but actually reading it (quite a concept, no?).

First of all, the image quality of his pictures in the book are good, but you really need to go to his website to get the full impact. I’m afraid the printing quality is unable to do justice to the tones and colors in the digital versions. It occurred to me as I flipped through the book how amazing these images would be once enlarged to poster size prints.

However, there is one section of the book that I really want to comment on. Although the book does contain a tutorial for creating HDR images in the end, Trey urges the reader to use that merely as a foundation to build on. He does describe briefly the thought process and software he used on each individual image, which is likely more important than the step by step process that he uses.

Trey goes on to explain that he really doesn’t believe in giving out a step by step process. He believes that doing so (such as in most of our education systems) demonstrates the ‘how’ but never addresses the ‘why’. In other words, if you follow a recipe, you will end up with the same results every time, but if everyone did that, there would be no innovation or creativity and there would be no new recipes! He presents examples such as the early French impressionist painters such as Monet, Pissarro, and Renoir whose work was really discovered and approved by the public and not the artistic community at the time. The work of these impressionists was just too radical and different for the prevailing art community.

His comments go right to the heart of the problem I see with a lot of workshops. What good is it to adopt someone else’s style and methods without adapting and building upon that work? After all, the workshop presenter is already creating his/her images that way, so what good is it for the attendees to go and create the identical type of images? Where is the creativity and innovation?

Trey urges the reader to take the essence of what he is doing, then add a big dash of yourself and go create something new and wonderful as well! I couldn’t agree more.

I recommend grabbing a copy of A World in HDR, and don’t just look at the pretty pictures -read it, then go out and be creative!

Feather Detail

Pseudo HDR Gull

I have searched for a technique to enhance feather detail in white birds. I think I may have found one! Simply increasing contrast doesn’t work as that tends to muddy up the whites. I also tried copying the white areas to a new layer in Photoshop and using various layer modes with limited success. I found that using linear burn was best, but still didn’t give me quite what I wanted. The gull picture at left (click for a larger view) was one such image. I liked the position of the gull, but the whites of the feathers lacked detail and the picture fell flat. I knew the detail was contained in the RAW image, but how to pull it out?

Some time ago I purchased LucisArt and really hadn’t done much with it. I remember it wasn’t an inexpensive program, but the newer Lucis Pro is $595! However, I created a new layer from the original and applied the LucisArt plugin to it to increase the contrast. The plugin dramatically increased the feather detail without turning the whites into a muddy gray. I then reduced the opacity of this layer and used a layer mask to further blend it into the original to my liking – and voila! I finally achieved the look I was after!

I also began to wonder if I could do the same thing using Photomatix as a single RAW image (pseudo) HDR? I didn’t have time last night to try this, but that might work as well. I will attempt this and will post an update. Essentially, I plan to bring the original RAW image into Photomatix and process it so that it brings out the contrast in the bird’s feathers, ignoring the sky. I will then bring this image into Photshop and layer it with the original and then use masking and opacity to see if I can get a simliar result.

Please don’t hesitate to post your comments or techniques that you may have discovered to achieve the same or maybe even better results!

More HDR!

HDR Panther from Ecuador

OK, I’ve received a few emails asking more about HDR (High Dynamic Range) – I highly recommend checking Stuck in Customs for tutorials on how to process these images. The image to the left is a captive panther I photographed during one of the Photo tours I conducted to Baños, Ecuador. I then processed the single RAW file using Photomatix and then finished up with some masking techniques in Photoshop. I really like the way it turned out! I have a number of images from my Photo tour to Turkey from last year on my gallery and on my Flickr account HERE. I’ll be happy to post more information by request! Although the panther image isn’t a “true” HDR image since it was created from a single RAW exposure, some images can benefit from processing in a similar manner and programs such as Photomatix can sometimes draw out more range from the RAW file than a ‘normal’ RAW processor.

By the way – I’ll be doing more HDR images on my upcoming Costa Rica photo tour (currently full), but if you are interested, we still need photographers for the Mongolia Photo Tour for August 2011! Still plenty of time to sign up – check HERE for more information on this tour! Should be lots of opportunities to try this technique in Mongolia!

Trey Ratcliff

Trey Ratcliff HDR image - Savanah Ga.

There are some photographers with massive egos. Trey Ratcliff is not one of them. However, dogone it, the guy is good! If anyone should have an ego it should be Trey!

I first ran across Trey’s website, stuckincustoms.com, while surfing the net for workshops and photo tours. I generally quickly browse these sites, take some notes and move on – but the images on Trey’s site not only kept me looking, I had to bookmark it and return again and again. About the time I discovered Trey and his work, he was just about to come out with a new book on HDR titled  A World in HDR  which quickly sold out on Amazon in the UK and then in the USA when first released! I felt fortunate to have had the forethought to pre-order a signed copy from Trey prior to the initial release.Then I found out Trey was going to do a workshop in Tampa – I signed up immediately and asked if he would grant an interview for my upcoming podcast. The answer was, “yes”!

It is very interesting meeting someone with so much talent and yet so humble. Especially for someone who picked up his first camera and became intersted in photography only three years ago. He even has one of his prints hanging in the Smithsonian. Not bad!

Like a lot of photographers who are pursuing HDR (high dynamic range) images, he has received more than his fair share of criticism – but most of that is coming from other photographers who just don’t get it. However, his fan base is growing wider by the minute thanks to the social networks and public galleries such as Flickr. I believe a lot of his success is also due to his willingness to share his techniques including all the tutorials he has posted on his website. He did tell me during the interview that he does not plan on conducting additional workshops, but he is very accessible on Facebook and has begun to include video tutorials on his website.

If you are not familiar with HDR (high dynamic range images), it is essentially a technique of shooting multiple exposures of a scene and then later combining them into a special format that covers a much wider range of exposures than a standard photograph. This image cannot be displayed on regular monitors and so the image needs to be tonemapped to narrow the range for ordinary display or for printing – and this is where the magic occurs.

Finally, anyone who travels as much as Trey does is OK in my book! I just don’t see where he finds the time to post one of his fine HDR images every day. I recommend you check out his book and bookmark his website. Even if you believe you don’t care for HDR, prepare to be inspired!

Kayaks and Cameras

Cameras and kayaks

Perhaps I’m just tired of walking.

Last year, on a visit to Myakka State Park, I rented a kayak to get closer to the hundreds of roseate spoonbills feeding along the river bank. Now, I have rented kayaks and even canoes there before, but somehow this time it was different. I don’t exactly know why – but the bug bit me. Perhaps it was the large groups of shore and wading birds – black necked-stilts, wood storks, great egrets, plovers, etc. – all along the banks of the Myakka presenting marvelous photo opportunities. I don’t really know why – but within two months I bought my own kayak and one for Carolyn.

Suddenly, a whole new world of photo opportunities has opened up. I’m no longer limited to the trails and side roads, but now can explore the marshes and spoil islands off the coast. Now if the weather will just cooperate a bit, I’m ready to go paddling again!

PS – just in case you are wondering, I purchased a Native Ultimate 12 – great, stable craft for photography!

DIY Intervalometer for Canon & Nikon

Completed Intervalometer from Otter Creek

This is an unusual item that Canon and Nikon photographers might find useful – an intervalometer! An intervalometer is a device that will permit the photographer to set the camera to take a series of images for a set interval. A common use is for time-lapse images of flowers opening, etc. Well, you can do the same thing with you DSLR from Canon or Nikon (others too, with the right adapter). This intervalometer is actually a kit which is available from Amazon.com created by Otter Creek (www.ottercreekdesign.com).
Features of the CT-1 intervalometer include:
– Optically isolated interface to the camera
– Standard intervalometer function with options for setting delay time and exposure time.
– Built-in optical sensor for triggering camera with light/shadow.
– External port allows for easy integration of alternate trigger circuits (sound, light, …)
– Manual mode for simple trigger and bulb mode exposures.
– Two position pushbutton for trigger – focus/shutter, just like on the camera.
– 2′ cable terminated with Canon &reg E3 plug (2.5mm stereo)
– Optional cables for connecting with other cameras

For only $60 – and an evening of soldering – this might make a fun addition to your photo toys!!

Magic Lantern adds 5D MK II Enhancements

A few weeks ago, Canon released a firmware update for the 5D Mark II, 1.1.0, which added the ability for photographers to capture video with manual control over exposure and ISO settings. Now, a hacker, Trammell Hudson, has released a beta update to the firmware which allows the photographer even more control over the video settings!

Full release notes:

Only works with Canon firmware version 1.1.0

Only the external mic input is supported

Canon firmware will restart if LiveView mode is exited or powersave

HDMI, USB and composite video output are disabled

Zebras can not be disabled, threshold is not configurable, color can not be changed

Canon’s onscreen menus will not function correctly (configure everything before booting the Magic Lantern firmware)

Picture Style button will bring up an event viewer

Digital zoom works

Button remapping is currently disabled

ALC is disabled

Digital gain is fixed at +12 dB

Analog gain is set to +10 dB

Windcut (highpass filter) is disabled

Lowpass filter is enabled with default params

EQ params are at the default settings

Magic Lantern warns that this is a beta and if it should turn your camera into a brick, you are welcome to keep both pieces! With that caveat – the firmware hack can be downloaded at: HERE!

Strobist Boot Camp II

A friend and I decided to participate in the latest Strobist Boot Camp II exercises by David Hobby, (Strobist Blogspot) and for my head shot, I wanted to see if I could use an MR-14EX macro ring flash as an on-camera fill. This image is the result of my test.

The posted head shot here (courtesy of my friend, Fred!) is the result. I had a Canon 580Ex off to the subject’s right with a Honl grid, set on slave and triggered by the MR-14ex on the camera. The MR-14ex was set on manual and since the two strobes are already on banks A and B, I set the 580Ex on bank C. I manually set A and B to 1/64 power and the C bank (580EX) to 1/16 power so it would act as the key.

The result: I believe the MR-14EX can act as an on-camera fill for short distances, perhaps up to 8 – 10 feet. The biggest disadvantage is that one is limited to the Canon macro lenses that support the MR-14EX! In this case, I used the 100mm macro, which is a great lens and the length is good for portraiture.

I shot this with a Canon 5D MK II set on manual mode – 1/50 sec and f/6.3. I am pleased enough to continue experimenting with this setup!!

Radiopoppers

Radio Popper with mounting system

I’ve been waiting for the Radiopopper Jr. system since last year when they were first announced.  However, the designers/manufacturers of the “Poppers” decided they weren’t happy with the design and decided to pull back and add all the new features that they were going to save for future models.  Now it appears the Jrx. Popper is finally going to be released next month!

What is the Radiopopper?  For all you Strobist junkies out there, the Popper is a radio remote unit for your flash units.  If you are familiar with the PocketWizard, then you know what a Radio Popper is, except the Poppers are full TTL!!  That means the flash units can be used on automatic as well as manual!  These clever guys figured out how to take the infrared (IR) signal that flash units use to communicate TTL information and convert that into a radio signal that can be sent hundreds of feet, instead of ten to fifteen feet.  Even better, since these are radio units, the units do not have to have a direct ‘line of sight’ in order to operate – put ‘em anywhere!  The Px units are now on the market and cost about $250 each for the transmitter and receiver.  However, the JRx model is suppose to come in around $50 each and will also work with the Px transmitter unit!

I’ve been using the eBay $25 Hong Kong units, which are unfortunately not that reliable (lots of misfires) and don’t have much range, so I’m really looking forward to trying out the new Jrx which are suppose to be released late next month.  For more information, check out http://radiopopper.com/ and click on their blog link for current status.  As soon as I get my hands on one I will post a review here and at my new forum at www.elusiveimage.net/forum.

Camdapter(tm) Handstrap

Camdapter(tm) strap

Now and then I run across a product that not only performs better than promised, but the company that produces that product also has outstanding customer service.  A recent purchase of the Camdaper(TM) is such a product!

The Camdapter(TM) is a handstrap system that consists of two parts: an optional adapter that bolts to the bottom of the camera (if required) and the straps themselves.

Camdapter(TM) makes a number of different adapter plates and I decided to purchase the Arca  Neoprene plate which not only has strap holders for a neck strap and handstrap, but also serves as an Arca quick release plate for my ball head.

I opted for the Top Grain prostrap for the actual handgrip. This is a nice leather strap that not only looks great, but is nice and thick and should last forever!  There are other options listed, but apparently not currently available – other colors and designs, but I prefer the plain black strap anyway.

Camdapter(tm) plate on camera

 Just minutes after I placed my order, I received, not an order confirmation notice, but a shipping notice along with a nice note from Jim Garavuso, the owner of the company and designer of the strap.  My order was placed on Friday and my order arrived on Monday!   Now that is service!

My strap was already partially assembled on the adapter plate and was very easy to attach to my camera with an alan wrench that was included.  The wrench was even attached to a piece of leather to allow it to be attached to a strap or vest ring to take it along with you should you need to tighten or remove the adapter.

The strap itself is nice and large and very comfortable.  I know it is going to last for years and it’s nice to see function and design merged together so perfectly. 

Absolutely worth the price. Highly recommended!    www.camdapter.com

New Photo Blog

  Ok, for all of you who have been receiving my Photo newsletter (if not, go to my website at www.elusiveimage.net and sign up!), many have suggested that I create a Blog to more quickly reveal photo techniques, new and interesting equipment,  interviews with other photographers and interesting work that I run across. 

  Although I lean heavily toward nature and travel photography, I’m quite impressed with the work being done by the photographers over at www.strobist.blogspot.com.  Great learning center and highly recommended.  However, I began to wonder why nature photographers haven’t improved their work by practicing the techniques taught there, and then I ran across Frans Lanting who writes a column for Outdoor Photographer magazine.  Check out some of the great work he is doing at www.lanting.com.  I’m planning to apply the strobist techniques I’m learning to raise my photography to a new level!

  Ok, so on this blog I hope to create a journal of my journey to make better images, reveal new techniques and equipment, and to link to other photographers that are influencing my work.  Also, I intend to post journals during my many travels around the world well as display my travel images.  Hope you will be interested in following along!

John Moran

Comet Hale Bopp by John Moran

Wow! 

Now and then I will discover the work of another photographer, and I feel obliged to urge other photographers to investigate their work.  I just encountered the work of Florida based photographer, John Moran and I urge everyone to check out his website at http://www.johnmoranphoto.com. 

John was a photojournalist for 23 years in Gainesville.  He photographed comet Hale Bopp in 1997 and produced this stunning image.  Oh yea, this was before digital!  If you would like to know how it was done, head over to http://www.strobist.blogspot.com - hint:  it was all produced with a few dollars worth of hardware and a couple stobe lights,  a five minute exposure – and quite a bit of patience and ingenuity!

Canon 5D MK II HD Video

Laforet video shot with Canon 5D MK II

Canon recently announced their update to the aging 5D, the new 5D MK II.   Normally I wouldn’t get too excited except Canon added a new feature (likely inspired by Nikon’s latest release) and added HD video capability to this 21 Megapixel camera.  Since I have a background in filmmaking as well as still photography, I find this addition quite interesting.  However, just adding video capability isn’t a big deal, if the video is an after thought with low quality, jerky footage.

But, that isn’t the case – Canon added 1080P HD 30 fps capability!  What makes this so exciting is the fact you achieve the same (or similiar) look and depth of field as the ‘big guys’ do with their 35mm motion picture cameras!  Will the actual video live up to the hype?

Take a look at the following website – http://www.vincentlaforet.com/ and see what you think.  I was amazed at the quality of the video shot with this pre-production camera.  Vincent Laforet is a New York based photographer (and one of Canon’s “Explorers of Light”) who managed to get his hands on this camera for a weekend and put together some sample video that is simply incredible.

I read somewhere that National Geographic want their photographers to be versed in video as well as still photography and now one camera can do it all.

I think I want one!

Film is Dead

New Kodak Ektar film stock

Well, not according to Kodak!  Kodak has announced a new low grain ISO 100 film stock.  I guess I’ll still have something to use in my old film bodies for awhile longer (I’m running out of refrigerated Ektachrome!).  This new stock is suppose to be very low grain and therefore quite sharp.  More details can be found on the Kodak site at http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/films/ektar/ektarIndex.jhtml?id=0.2.26.14.5.14&lc=en.   Once I’ve been able to get my hands on a roll, I’ll publish my opinions here!

DXO Labs Camera Database

  DXO labs have been accumulating a lot of data for their DXO RAW convertor, lens correction software and just recently decided to release their findings to the public.  The new site is located at http://www.dxomark.com/.  The database now consists of a number of popular cameras and lenses and you may wish to check the site out to compare your favorite brand with others.  Please keep in mind that the database is only reflecting scientific measurements and does not include subjective information such as comfort, layout of controls, reliability, etc.  However, it should provide the “pixel-peepers” lots of new ammunition to argue pros and cons about the various cameras now available!  The site is free!