Home : Blogs : Teresa Boardman : Teresa 's Blog

Learning . . Experimenting and Learning more

About nine months ago I wrote a post about high dynamic range photography, commonly referred to as HDR, or HDRI. It is a photo processing technique where several photos are combined to create a photo that is something more. It has not been easy for me to learn. I bought a book which has been helpful: "Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography" The book is not all that easy to use but has amazing photos in it and it helped me get started.

I am using a program called Photomatix Pro to process the photos, and I am shooting them all in the RAW format. The process can make the photos look cartoonish. As I am learning how to create these photos I am also learning which type of photos it works the best with. Here are some of my latest.

This one is a bit extreme. Taken at City Center in Minneapolis. It was an OK shot to begin with but the windows in the background were just a white blob. The HDR processing brought out the windows and even the buildings in the background. I combined five photos. I used a wide angle lens which is kind of fun in a wide open space.

This photo isn't so extreme, it was taken at Mears Park in St. Paul. I have taken this shot many times and I have never gotten what I wanted. It is a place I go to often and really enjoy. Located right in the heart of the lowertown art district in our downtown. There is a band shell with live music in the summer. The HDR processing brought out the leaves on the trees and other details that seem to disappear. Five photos were used to create this.

On this photo I used HDR to bring out the reflections in the water and to make the Lillie stand out. I combined three photos and I did very little processing. The photo was taken at Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul.

This one is a little more extreme. I took it yesterday on my way home from a meeting. I had to drive by Oakland Cemetery, one of the oldest grave yards in St. Paul. I like to photograph it in the winter because I love the old oak trees and the way the tombstones look in the snow. Strange I know but we all have our little quirks. I used three photos to create it and did a lot of processing.

These photos don't come close to being as wonderful as the photos I find on the interent but who knows maybe with more practice and better photos mine will improve. HDR can be used for property photos. I am thinking the less extreme processing will work the best.

Posted by Teresa Boardman on 01/09/2009 07:19 PM

Comments (57)

hdr, photography

Post is included in group: Tips and Techniques for Better Real Estate Photography
Post is included in group: Photography

57 Comments on Learning . . Experimenting and Learning more

JAN

Teresa,

I like reading your St. Paul blog for your photos. Another AR person was talking about this technology with real estate photos and her results were stunning. I think you are selling yourself short. I like the graveyard my favorite) and lilly shots.

Learning this for "fun" is on my list of things to do. How long did it take to 1) learn the process and software and 2) play around with the photos?

I always get excited when I see your new posts. Why? Because I'm crazy about your photography and skills and envy the talent you have! AWESOME photos Theresa!

Melina - I have not learned the software, still learning. The two photos you like the best took the least amount of time to process. The Lillie is my favorite. I would say I can't do a photo in less than 20 min.

Photomatix is nice. I've been using Photoshop to do my HDR, which is more tedious but I like the feedback I get from getting into the layers. Keep up the good shots!

I need someone to compare photomatix to Photoshop. Photoshop is what the other agent used.

I have some waterfall shots I took this summer with the thought of using them to learn this process. I think I just need to dive in and see what happens...

Is there any reason you chose one program over the other?

Teresa - This photos are really good. I love the way the flower sticks out in the photo...it almost has a 3-D vibe to it. I'm going to have to investigate this a bit more as I'm not much of a photographer, but love to learn some new things. Thanks for the tip!

Melina I think there is about a $500 or $600 difference in cost.

You're the master. I may work on photos as soon as I have this blogging thing figured out.

Lenn I think you have the blogging thing figured out. :)

Teresa,

Another post with great photos! The photo you took of the Oakland Cemetery is my favorite. The oak trees are standing tall and even with no leaves, they look so much alive and seem like they are watching over the tombstones.

Teresa, you continue to stimulate us to learn more. A couple of years ago, I would rarely pick up a camera. Now, I'm venturing out ever so slowly, but loving it. Thanks for continued inspiration.

Teresa-those photos are breathtaking...my favorite...the lilies..That is one of my goals this year is to be a better picture taker..I can't even call myself a photographer! :(

Teresa--Amazing photos...The lilypads from the conservatory at como perhaps?

Teresa, wow they look amazing, like things you would frame and put in your home. I love seeing the windows in the mall, makes me want to be there shopping, but it is cold and snowy here again so staying in.

Teresa, thank you for the tip. This is the first time I ever heard of a HDR. There are always new things to learn. I will check into it.

Yes there's always something "new to learn" I love photography also so thanks for the great post today.

Patricia Aulson Hampton NH Real Estate Portsmouth NH Real Estate

Wow - those photos are pretty impressive to me ! The new technology that keeps coming out is quite amazing.

Christopher - You hit on something important that I plan to write a future post about. Photography is like a lot of other things in that technology both in camera's and the software used to process photos has made all kinds of things possible. New forms of art that couldn't exsist a few years ago and HDR is one of them. Some of the pros reject it as cheating some how. The truth is the photo still has to be a good photo for HDR to even work.

Teri - yes como park conservatory. I think I took that one in July. I drive by there often and I stop about once a week when the water lillies are in bloom. New flowers bloom every week. They do such a wonderful job with it. They have them in every color. Early June is fun too because the baby ducks swim around and you can get close enough to shoot them. :)

As always your photo's serve to inspire us all. After your last post about HDR I dug into the learning curve a little bit. It has helped me create better photo's than I did in the past. Certainly not to the standards that you are now creating.

But you are an inspiration and I just love being challenged to do better.

As always I sit and wait for your next fabulous installment on your AR Blog. It is like being a kid at Christmas when I see you elevated to the top of the list on my blog side bar of those who I have subscribed to.

Herb - you are too kind. I mostly quit learning DR until a month ago. I decided to take one photo a week and every Saturday I would work on one. Finally one Saturday I got one to look decent. Still working on it and if I can help you just send me a note. :) I am told that this one is my best but I like the lillie better.

Great post! I've been hiring a phorotgrapher to do most of my listing photos, but I really want to start doing it on my own and your post was a great inspiration. What kind of camera are you using?

I don't remember Mears Park, but City Center and Oakland Cemetary were immediately recognizable to me. And the images look great. I have farted around a little with HDR, but it just took me too long to keep me working on it. I need to revisit.

Kerry - Listing photos are the hardest. I do most of my own but not all. There are times, probably most of the time when hiring a pro is the best way to go. Interior shots present the greatest challenge because of lighting or more often lack of lighting. it takes more equipment than most people want to buy to do it right. These were taken with a canon rebel but listing photos can be taken with a point and shoot camera, I use on too. The important thing is that the camera have a wide angle lens. The lens I use costs more than most cameras, and weighs a ton.

Teresa,

These are the most incredible and compelling photos I have ever seen online - thanks for the information and for sharing these photos.

I am still learning more about photography and how to use the technology. You did a beautiful job!

These are really fabulous! I especially like the pond and graveyard. Sure sounds like a lot of work, but well worth it!

Good luck with your work, I look forward to seeing more in the future.

Debbie

These are absolutely fantastic! I'm going to try Photomatrix Pro. Unbelieveable!

Magnificent photos Teresa. Today's technology is incredible but you have a really great eye. I love the wide angles.

When you take several photos to get the finished picture do you use the same shot or change the angle slightly? Does the processing automatically combine the best depth, color and highlights from each or do you pick elements and combine them into one picture?

Teresa, this is an amazing process. I am speechless with what can be done. How do you plan to use your final results? You're doing great...if you don't mind understatements.

Later in the rain~Deb

Man, cannot get over the artistic 3-d look which is created by the merge. Still having fun with picnik that you turned me onto last year. You always have some inspiring posts. Thanks

I would guess to use the same shot but just change the exposures of each. The camera may be able to switch each frame automatically plus or minus two. Have to read my manual. I would think a tripod would be necessary? or not?

Teresa, you got me looking back into this again. I dont believe I will be able to take photos like this.

I got a beginner's dummy question to ask: So, I guess you have to use a tripod when you do HDR?

Teresa - Love the photographs. Very impressive technique. I have a friend who makes beautiful digital photographs using what sounds like a similar technique. I believe he uses a program called Lightroom.

your photos are spectacular - what a treat to be looking for real estate blogs and find art instead

Those are some great photos. We have a marketing budget that we use to pay for our photographers. That program you use is terrific to me those photos look very professional.

JAN

Teresa, You did an awesome job with this rechnique for a beginner! The graveyard shot is my favorite. But to be honest I like your photos best au naturel!

Teresa, those are some incredible photos with amazing composition. Sure looks to me like you are getting a handle on how to create richer photos. Take care and happy blogging!

The Cemetery scene is excellent....

Eric - there are two ways to do it. You can use bracketing with your camera and get three to five shots with differenct exposure values, and yes you need a tripod or you can take one photo shot in raw and save it at 3 to five different values. It takes longer but I prefer the latter method.

Ginger - LOL in most cases I think I like the regular photos the best too. I think one of the best uses of HDR is to take a photo like the lillie or the park and make it just a little better.

I love how some elements pop off of the page with HDR. The Lily is my favorite but the Graveyard sends some great Edgar Allen Poe lines adrift in my brain...very cool.

Oh man... I can't even begin to imagine how you did that but I think they look great. I wonder if you could post a regular pic and then the HD finished one. I bet the difference is amazing!

I love the spooky cemetary one. Actually I love them all. I love you too.

P.S. You've been shooting baby ducks again?

You are truly an inspiration. I take my camera with me almost everywhere now. I haven't made the time to learn all that you have but I know I have the passion deep down and that someday I will! In the meantime I LOVE your photos and learning from you.

Monika - you are right. I should have done before and after. Maybe I'll write another post and show my math so to speak.

Linda - no ducks to shoot in the winter. Not much of anything to shoot in the winter, which is why I have time to play with HDR. I am working on a photo essay though that I promise will be very unusual. :) I love you too. :)

Lake Norman - yes passion is a good word. In my case it might be leaning toward obsession or addiction but I like passion better.

Hi Teresa - I subscribe to your St. Paul blog just so I can drool over your pictures. I stare at some of them and am just amazed at the beauty of them. Like Monika, I'd love to see the before and after as well.

Ann

Ann - is that why my blog is wet sometimes? Just kidding. I will do a future post with some before and after.

Hi Teresa, Isn't there a photographer inside us all trying to get out and express our innate creativity ? The new digital equipment is helping make it happen. Best of everything for you in 2009 !

Teresa, for still photos this technique reminds me of high def television. Very detailed effect in each picture.

Teresa,

I'm not the artsy type! Not by choice, however...I never go anywhere without my camera, but my non artsy brain sees nothing camera worthy..or by the time I get the camera ready it's too late to capture the moment!!! LOL, Thanks, Fran

Teresa, very impressive that you can do that! Way out of my league. Thanks for sharing your results, the park shot is beautiful with all the detail.

Theresa, I love the look of these photos. I'm going to have to try this program out. Thanks for sharing.

Your photos always challenge me to learn to do more with mine :)

Teresa, I think these photos are simply amazing! I wish I could learn how to do this when I find some time.

JAN

Wow...your photos are amazing and I'm subscribing to your blog....I would love to learn how to do this.

JAN

Hi Teresa...Here comes one more very flattering and very accurate comment.

Every time I take a shot that pleases me I see one of yours and I feel as though I am in pre-school.

That first shot is very impressive and I love the stillness and color of the last one.

Kate

JAN

Kathleen - There is a photographer in Minnesapolis with a photo blog. I look at it a few times a week. The first comment I left on it was that after seeing his photos I wanted to throw my camera away. He told me that I should hang onto it for awhile. I asked him if he would tell me what his secret is. He said practive and that he had taken almost 10,000 pictures in the last year. I repsonded by telling him that I took close to that many last year and that I was going to throw my camera away. LOL Thanks for the comment and don't give up. I won't either.

I like the cemetery. So cool with the snow on the stone and the trees add spooky to it. I like the others, too. I had heard of this but don't understand how it works. Looking forward to your before and after post.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?