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First Snow Fall - Prince William County

Commercial Real Estate Agent

December 17, 2010 08:03 AM

First Snow Fall – Prince William County

DSC_0008-3-3 [1024x768].jpg I purchased a new Nikon camera (early Christmas present) and wanted to experiment with HDR photography. We had our first snow fall of the year yesterday and thought it would be a good reason to take some photos.

I used a Nikon D5000 DLSR. The photo was taken on a tripod and was bracketed with +/- one f-stop. The camera brackets the three shots automatically and no adjustments were needed once it was set up with the exposure settings. Take three photos and you’re done.

The three photos were merged and tone mapped with the Dynamic Photo HDR software program and tweaked with Photoshop CS3. I attempted merging the photos and tone mapping them in Photoshop, but I didn’t like the results. Any suggestions?

Michael Setunsky is the Broker and owner of Michael's Commercial LLC serving the Northern Virginia commercial real estate market. He has been licensed since 1985 and a Broker since 1990. As a commercial real estate and business broker, he has earned the distinction for being one of the top commercial real estate producers in the Mid-Atlantic Region. He also serves on the Mid Atlantic Real Estate Marketing Association's (MAREMA) Board of Directors, and is a Commonwealth of Virginia licensed Instructor. He teaches Pre-licensing, Post Licensing Education, Broker's and Continuing Education courses. Visit his company web site at http://michaelscommercial.com/.

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Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

That's so rich. The colors are amazing. It's got extreme depth. Reminds me a little of a piece of artwork a client gave me. I don't know the term for it, but it's the same image cut out of paper, maybe 50 layers deep, and laid over each other to create a 3D affect.

Dec 18, 2010 04:12 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Elizabeth: I think it's called 3D paper decoupage or 3D layered paper tole. Very nice effect. Thank you for your comment and the visit.

Dec 18, 2010 06:34 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

It looks as if you will enjoy your new toy Michael!
Merry Christmas!

Dec 18, 2010 07:25 AM

Margaret Goss

@Properties - Winnetka, IL

Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

I love the shot - my "point and shoot" digital is good but does not have that sort of depth.

Dec 18, 2010 08:25 AM

Iran Watson

Georgia Elite Realty - Marietta, GA

Marietta Real Estate Agent - Photographer

I love Photoshop and I use it in all my digital editing. From my experience, however, there are other softwares that do a much better job at HDR. I cut my teeth on Photomatix Pro. At first the results were bad, I mean really bad, so bad I almost abandoned HDR altogether. But I stuck with it and after processing over 500 HDR images I have found a formula that works for me. I have always preferred a very photo realistic look, I don't want my shots to look like HDR but I do enjoy the control over the dynamic range. This requires a somewhat counter-intuitive approach as most that start out with HDR tend to take a very hard knee approach.

Dec 18, 2010 06:00 PM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Hi Paul: I'm sure I will. Thanks and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year to you and your family.

Dec 19, 2010 01:14 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Margaret: Thank you for your comment and have a great holiday.

Dec 19, 2010 01:15 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Iran: I looked at your blog and I agree. I also like the realistic look that you give your HDR photos. Thanks for your comment and for stopping by.

Dec 19, 2010 01:26 AM

Renée Donohue~Home Photography

Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI

Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I am not a photo techie but this photo turned out beautiful! I miss the snow every now and then but get to take a peek at it on Active Rain :)

Dec 19, 2010 05:09 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Renee: After last year I hope this is the last of the snow. However, they are calling for a possible white Christmas. Thank you for the visit.

Dec 19, 2010 06:08 AM

Toula Rosebrock

Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ

Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Michael:

We're expecting a lot of snow here tomorrow...Honestly, I'm not looking forward to it.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Dec 25, 2010 12:07 PM

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ

Broker/Owner

GOOD MORNING MICHAEL! Well the camera -talk is above my head - but the photo is beautiful for a first try at it! I am sure your family here mentioned that there was no snow in Tucson - temps were 70 (but strangely windy!) yesterday! Hope your Christmas Day was wonderful! Wishing you a wonderful week and all the best for the upcoming New Years! -- Gab

Dec 25, 2010 11:32 PM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Hi Toula: There is a little bit of snow on the ground this morning and more expected by late morning. Not looking forward to it either. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Dec 26, 2010 01:01 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Hi Gabrielle: I'll trade windy and warm for windy and cold like it is here. Have a great holiday! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Dec 26, 2010 01:04 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Michael, I also went over to Iran's blog to take a look at his photo work...pretty impressive. I've taken many photography classes and like you developed my own B&W, but never cared much for color. I have to admit that I lost a little enthusiasm for photography when digital became so pervasive, but have been giving in to it. I've been considering a Nikon D90 or D300...just trying to make up my mind and justify the expense...I have two old but wonderful Nikon film cameras just laying around...really don't want to retire them.

Dec 26, 2010 04:57 PM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Nick: I know what you mean. I used to do a lot of portrait work, but with the point and shoot digital cameras and Photoshop people are doing their own. Nikon D90 or D300 is a hard decision. In a way you still can't beat good old film. Thanks for the visit.

Dec 27, 2010 01:03 AM

Christina ONeal

At Home Real Estate Group - Ripon, CA

Realtor - Ripon California

What a beautiful picture Michael. I don't get how you took 3 pictures. The color is awesome :)

Christina Oneal

Jan 21, 2011 11:36 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Christina: Thanks you very much and thank you for stopping by.

Jan 22, 2011 12:41 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Thanks for the lovely photos, Michael. I wish you were still posting, too. But thanks for the comment!

Aug 16, 2014 06:35 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Suzanne: Thank you very much!!

Aug 16, 2014 07:38 AM

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