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There was some interesting concepts that evolved during our recent light painting session and it was good to see different techniques used and a diversion from some of the standard lightpainting tools, the inclusion of the speedlite has had limited success in the past, however I think in this case it has really worked well.

The forest itself at dusk presents some very difficult lighting conditions which I found quite difficult to achieve the exposure I wanted. I had a image in my head of what I wanted but at the end of teh day they did not really turn out as desired. The high dynamic range and relatively small details of the scene (ie leaves against the bright sky) creates a challenge to conventional HDR processing. I am interested in others opinions on the est way to technically capture a scene like this. I concluded that it would probably best just to let the sky blow out and try and maintain the detail in the shadows and just enough of the highlights to give a almost human eye representation of the range.

For these I opted for the 16x7 format since its something I am enjoying at the moment.

Comments and feedback welcome, as always, good, bad, ugly or indifferent welcome.

Green Forest Pano - too much greenish cast?


Sunburst


based on a test shot to determine the best ambient lighting for the trees..



and the forest gravedigger

These look really good. From what i can see I would say you do have a green cast in the first image (I will try to confirm when I get home and onto a calibrated monitor later). I get the feeling that you need something extra in #3 (a focal point to concentrate on) but the monochrome finish looks great, there are a few hot spots on the LHS of the first two tree trunks (on the left). The last image is wonderful, your trademark shorts are my only peeve about this one, you really need to be wearing trousers to complete the look.

Hi Gerry - I'm not really convinced by the first two - other than perhaps as a record shot of what was there - they might be a little dark overall as well

The third however is very nice - I didn't try any mono's of any of the frames - I might have to go back and take a look Cam is probably right about the two closer trees on the left re hot spotting

I admire the first 3 and find the last creative and amusing.
Cameron...I would expect there to be a green cast because the prime source of light, (sunlight), is filtering through green leaves. The cast would be natural and I guess the photographers dilemma is, "Do I remove the cast, which is atmospheric, or leave it and show the light as nature intended it to be?". What's missing in these images is the beautiful women ina classic red dress.Or some other 'eye hook'.

Matt. K wrote:What's missing in these images is the beautiful women ina classic red dress.Or some other 'eye hook'

Yeah - that would be the swedish blonde...

But surely Gerry is beautiful

aim54x wrote:These look really good. From what i can see I would say you do have a green cast in the first image (I will try to confirm when I get home and onto a calibrated monitor later).

Matt. K wrote:Cameron...I would expect there to be a green cast because the prime source of light, (sunlight), is filtering through green leaves. The cast would be natural and I guess the photographers dilemma is, "Do I remove the cast, which is atmospheric, or leave it and show the light as nature intended it to be?"

yeah the cast was tricky for me, i think there is a bit too much green here, since the colour of the sunlight has taken a bit of a turn for the worse.

aim54x wrote: but the monochrome finish looks great, there are a few hot spots on the LHS of the first two tree trunks (on the left).

noted, ta.

aim54x wrote:The last image is wonderful, your trademark shorts are my only peeve about this one, you really need to be wearing trousers to complete the look.

i don't own any trousers but I hear what you are saying and yes to complete the look it would have been preferable. Standby on the next one you will definitely be able to make it this time.

Remorhaz wrote:Hi Gerry - I'm not really convinced by the first two - other than perhaps as a record shot of what was there - they might be a little dark overall as well

haha - suren'd

Remorhaz wrote:The third however is very nice - I didn't try any mono's of any of the frames - I might have to go back and take a look Cam is probably right about the two closer trees on the left re hot spotting

mono madness! its perfect for it, especially those test shots where there is literally no colour anyway.

Matt. K wrote:What's missing in these images is the beautiful women ina classic red dress.Or some other 'eye hook'

well, i do recall my initial visualizations and there was a woman involved, but not in a red dress

Remorhaz wrote:Yeah - that would be the swedish blonde...
But surely Gerry is beautiful

lol, i coulda sworn you had one in your basement...thats why I asked.

yeah man...check them legs out, i'll shave'em next time...


onto to more important matters..

I reckon this has gotta be a step up from the record of what was there.

Pretty cool - HDR with selective heavy dodging and burning to create the sunrays on the ground? I reckon the ray that comes almost straight at you at the bottom needs to be feathered a little rather than having totally straight edges.

Remorhaz wrote:Pretty cool - HDR with selective heavy dodging and burning to create the sunrays on the ground? I reckon the ray that comes almost straight at you at the bottom needs to be feathered a little rather than having totally straight edges.

Cheers for the feedback. Single exposures pano stitched, the rays are original but are accentuated.

1st, 2nd& 3rd are very nice and they will look
fantastic on big pictures hanging on a wall.
The one with the human figure the stuff
nightmares are made of.