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I snapped this image and was absolutely amazed by the dynamic range captured by my D300, so much so that I decided to have a play with the image to see what I could get out of it. Here are the four versions of the image that I have ended up with. Comments are critique are welcomed.

The original picture as shot


Photomatix pseudo-HDR


Tweaked in Capture NX2 to make is seem a bit more like a HDR


Black and white conversion of the tweaked image

You have done a great job of the HDR but it has accentuated distracting elements (especially the car) but also the variable lighting which highlights the hard light on the bottom of the image.

The BW is my favourite. Looks and feels like an institute. PS: It would be better if you included the upper end of that little spike on the tallest tower.

Cameron.

Of the shots posted here I prefer the original followed by the B &W. I think you've pushed the HDR too far for my tastes (especially the colour saturation). Have you considered trying some perspective correction on these?

I guess my sweet spot would lie somewhere between the original and the tweaked. I also like the b&w.

Was the original shot in JPEG using in-camera ADR, or in NEF?

Cheers
Steffen. PS: Oh, BTW, what's the building?

I like the NX2 image. The extra dynamic range and the saturation make it appealing to me.

surenj wrote:You have done a great job of the HDR but it has accentuated distracting elements

The BW is my favourite. Looks and feels like an institute. PS: It would be better if you included the upper end of that little spike on the tallest tower.

Looks like I may have to bring out the clone tool.....unfortunately I couldnt get it all in at 17mm (Tamron 17-50mm f/2. and if I stepped back a bit more I would have had another car on the LHS..apologies about the spike. Thanks Surenj

stubbsy wrote:Of the shots posted here I prefer the original followed by the B &W. I think you've pushed the HDR too far for my tastes (especially the colour saturation). Have you considered trying some perspective correction on these?

Thanks Peter, I would have to agree that the tweaked and HDR versions are a bit garish for me, but I was playing with them and decided to see what others thought of the OVER THE TOP HDR look. Prospective correction may be another idea...does Capture NX2 have such a tool or do i have to go to photochop?

Steffen wrote:I guess my sweet spot would lie somewhere between the original and the tweaked. I also like the b&w.

Was the original shot in JPEG using in-camera ADR, or in NEF? PS: Oh, BTW, what's the building?

Steffen, I would say that somewhere between the original and the tweaked would be the best, I may have another play but I also think that I have spent enough time in front of this image (I dont ususally post process at all) but I may give it another whirl later on. The original image is the JPG out of my D300 the others were processed from the 14-bit NEF file (I shoot 14-bit NEF + large fine JPG). The building it "the Institute Building" part of the University of Sydney.

Killakoala wrote:I like the NX2 image. The extra dynamic range and the saturation make it appealing to me.

Thanks Steve, good to hear another point of view...I do prefer the NX2 tweak over the HDR but I am with Peter and Steffen with it being a bit overdone.

aim54x wrote:Prospective correction may be another idea.

I assume you mean perpective correction. I think you will find that you will have to crop the image significantly.

I am with Peter, I prefer the first one and the last one (B&W). I find the others lacking sharpness/contrast and too much colour can detract from the general image.

oes Capture NX2 have such a tool or do i have to go to photochop

NX2 is pretty crap at distorton control in my opinion, I remember Peters images from Cocktoo island with the big lathe machine thingy, that had some very neat distortion correction thingy stuff done, I remember he spelled out the steps to get to the final image, this may be of some benefit for you. Just search for cocktoo island posts.

I know this buidling fairly well, it certianly looks much better now than it did a few years ago, the paint job did absolute wonders. I think it would be a cardinal sin to make this BW, the intricate colours and paint job just scream for a colour version. The third image is my pick and backing off teh saturation would be good and get it to a very nice representation, it would also portray the old building in all its true glory.

Is the original image (#1) a jpeg or raw file one would expect some work to be done if straight out of the camera raw file.

Cameron.

This is the kind of perspective correction I'm tralking about. A small bit to make it look less leaning in on itself. Done in PSCS (required).

If you prefer that I don't tinker with your work, just say so and I'll remove this post

biggerry wrote:Is the original image (#1) a jpeg or raw file one would expect some work to be done if straight out of the camera raw file.

JPG from the camera...thanks for the tips as to where to look for the PC.

stubbsy wrote:This is the kind of perspective correction I'm tralking about. A small bit to make it look less leaning in on itself. Done in PSCS (required).

If you prefer that I don't tinker with your work, just say so and I'll remove this post

Peter, that was exactly what I was thinking about doing, and it is an honour to have you work on my photo. Better to show the result than try to explain it.