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“Snow Geese in Farmfield” was created with the hand held Canon EF14mm f/2.8L II USM and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 320. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/125 sec. at f/22. |
Cloud Lens
I borrowed the 14mm f/2.8 lens from CPS (Canon Professional Services) for my Bosque trip just because. I broke it out whenever we had some cool cloud formations in that big New Mexico sky.
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“Evening Cloud” was created at Ed Kranepool with the hand held Canon EF14mm f/2.8L II USM and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/4.5. |
This image was processed as a single frame HDR in NIK HDR Efex pro. Tony Sweet graciously spent 20 minutes on the phone with me on his way to a jazz gig giving me NIK HDR lessons. He is a drummer. He played professionally for 20 years in his first life.
As I learn more about NIK HDR Efex Pro I will be sharing what I learn with you here and in the Bulletins. Tony suggested that I start each HDR with the default (all the sliders at zero), hit reset to flatten the curve, set the Black and White Points, adjust the Warmth slider, adjust the Tone Compression slider, and then tweak as needed. And that is what I did with “Evening Cloud.”
The NIK program is the first HDR program that does what it is supposed to do: take the details from the highlight areas and blend them with the revealed detail in the shadow areas. With Photomatix, every image that comes out of Tone Mapping has blown highlight and underexposed darks…. That has not happened to me once with NIK HDR EFEX Pro and I love the natural look that I can get if I want it.
You can save 15% on all NIK products by clicking here and entering BAA in the Promo Code box at check-out. Then hit Apply to see your savings. I have been using and learning and loving COLOR EFEX and SILVER EFEX also.
Shopper’s Guide
Here is a list of the gear that I used to create the images above.
Canon 14mm f/2.8 II USM lens
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body
If you are considering the purchase of a major piece of photographic gear be it a new camera, a long lens, a tripod or a head, or some accessories be sure to check out our complete Shopper’s Guide.
I was in a hurry and neglected to say that I love these two images — especially the last one. Great drama!
Diane, Thanks for your informative post on BPN. I shall respond asap.
Thanks all for your kind comments 🙂
Cool cloudscapes! When the skies are this cool you have to go wide. Love the color in “Evening Cloud”
Artie, the first image, Snow Geese in Farmfield, is exquisite. The cloud pattern has, to me, the same feel and look of a flock of Snow Gese flying overhead. It is an image one doesn’t merely look at, but feels. Thank you. 🙂
I did that! Sorry for not following the blog more closely — I’ll try to do better.
Hi Diane, I am always willing to learn and have been asking for help with Photomatix. Please go here http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?72970-Basic-HDR-(Photomatix)-Question and chime in.
Thanks a ton. artie
Don’t slam Photomatix when you haven’t learned how to use it. Nik is good, but Photomatix has wonderful control. I’ve never seen blown out highlights and underexposed darks. Yes, its a little more difficult to use — that’s what gives it the control.