Grand Central Station

Walking around NYC the other weekend I took the opportunity to take a few shots of the Grand Central Station exterior.  I was without my tripod, so these images were single shot, processed by Photomatix, with slight adjustments in Lightroom.

Technical Specs:  All 3 images shot with Nikon D90, f/7.1, 24mm, 3 exposures hand held.

More Shots from Brooklyn

More shots from the Brooklyn Bridge Park.  Manhattan Downtown Skyline, Statue of Liberty, etc.  These shots came out extremely well.  All were taken on my tripod, 3 exposures each merged in Photomatix and Lightroom.

Technical Specs:  All 3 images f/8, ISO 250.

Brooklyn Bridge

Back in February I finally took a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.  The million other tourists that were around made HDR a little hard, but I managed to get these shots.

Top Image:  Shot from Brooklyn Bridge Park.  3 exposures on tripod, f/11, ISO 200.  Photomatix and Lightroom.

Bottom Image:  Shot handheld without tripod.  Still came out rather nice.  This is one of my favorite HDR shots so far.  Note the "ghosting" of the flag and airplane.  HDR gets interesting when moving objects are involved.  Just look how far the plane has traveled in the time it took me to pop off 3 shots on high-burst mode.

Bois Jacques

In the Ardennes, the Bois Jacques forest just outside of Bastogne, Belgium is where the Battle of the Bulge was fought in World War II.  It is an exraordinary place off the normal beaten path of tourists.  A must see in my opinion.  The foxholes the soldiers used during the battle can still be seen there today.

Technical Specs:  3 exposures handheld, f/3.5, 18mm.  Merged in Photomatix, adjustments in Lightroom.

Central Park Skyline

NYC midtown skyline shot from Central Park.  These aren't HDR, just long exposure shots I was experimenting with.

Technical Specs:  f/14, 41 seconds, 26mm, ISO 200.

Paris

Night and long-exposure photography is what got me started in the hobby.  You can just get such interesting shots at night, especially in cities that are all lit up at night.  Needless to say this is not an HDR image, just a long exposure.

While on vacation in Paris I was walking across a bridge and saw this beautiful scene.  Without a tripod I had to improvise by steadying the camera on the cement railing of the bridge. 

Technical Specs:  Nikon D90, exposure approx. 1 second, f/3.5, ISO 200.  Exposure adjustments made in Lightroom.

Palio di Siena

It should be mandatory for everone to see this event.  Held twice a year, the Palio di Siena is a bareback horse race that dates back to the 14th century where the various neighborhoods of Siena race against eachother.  It truly is a spectacle, and a week long party!

Omaha Beach

One of the first ever HDR images I ever shot.  Taken at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.  It was very surreal to see this woman sunbathing on a beach that has seen so much bloodshed.  A truly wonderful experience to visit.  Just around the bend in the distance is Pointe du Hoc.

Technical Specs:  Nikon D90, 3 exposures hand-held, f/22.  Merged in Photomatix and exposure adjustments made in Lightroom.

Iwo Jima Memorial

Most people associate HDR images with a "painting-like" or "surreal" appearance.  Using Photomatix's Tone Compressor method, a more "real-looking" image can be achieved (more on this later).  I split my time between NYC and DC and I love going to the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington Virginia.  It's just fascinating!

Tech Specs:  3 exposures with tripod, Nikon D90, f/8, ISO 200.  As usual, merged in Photomatix.  Fine tuning in Lightroom.

Welcome

Welcome to my new HDR Photgoraphy blog.  This unique form of photography has completely comsumed me since I learned about it about a year ago.


I will be posting my photos, tips and experiences with the hope of getting more amature photogs interested in this form of art.  HDR can be frustrating at times.  Getting the right exposures, timing (time of day) and your subject matter to cooperate.  However, when you get it right, there is nothing better.


I look forward to hearing your comments and questions and hope you enjoy my blog (or at least my pictures!)

Feel free to concact me at jcghdrphoto@gmail.com.

Cheers,

JCG