Jump to content

"Brothers of Petro"


whydangle

Two exposures blended.


From the category:

Landscape

· 290,305 images
  • 290,305 images
  • 1,000,004 image comments


Recommended Comments

So you might wonder why I would post a veritable target for 3/3 darts. I love the

punishment. I actually have put a fair amount of time into this, blending two

exposures to render this scene more like how our eyes would see this. One

exposure would reduce the tanks and pipes to a silhouette, a second exposure

would open up the tanks but blow the sky to near white. I chose this subject

because of the complicated nature of the pipes and tanks occupying areas of sky,

making the blend a challenge. A grad filter would certainly be obvious for this

application. I am not a fan of HDR, especially the contrived ones. But the extended

range of an image looks more natural with subtlety and careful preparation. So

before you throw, give me your thoughts and impressions. I promise, when I can,

that I will use this technique on some mountain scenery or rocky, coastal shots. For

now, however, an ugly duckling will have to do!

Link to comment

Well, you called it a duckling, not me! I am fastinated by this technique and the seamless merging. An image with all these pipes across the background would be a nightmare to merge by the elementary methods that I know. Good job and excellent title... Mike

 

 

Link to comment
Thanks Mike. I would be happy to share my techniques with you whenever you want. Before that happens, however, a digital tablet and CS2 or CS3 are pretty much required. I think you are still using Elements 8, I believe, but perhaps you have moved up since then? The digital tablet just works easier than a mouse, which is like trying to draw someones face with a loaf of bread, and no butter!
Link to comment

This is a fabulous subject Mark so stop apologising, I could look at tanks, pipes, valves etc all day long. I think your blend works a treat here, it does look very natural. The muted and limited palette is very homogeneous and completely in keeping with the subject. Just as a matter of interest what would it look like with the verticals pulled straight?

 

Simon

Link to comment
Thanks Simon. Yes I straightened a version, but I didn't save it because it didn't seem to convey the scale and it looked somewhat awkward. It's something about those converging verticals that makes the composition more dynamic, gives the feeling of viewing up from down low.
Link to comment
Mark, this is excellent. This is a situation where converging verticals add drama, IMHO. The colour palette and clouds work beautifully with the muted colours of the tanks.
Link to comment
great blending job. there are some squiggles that appear beside some of the upper pipes: maybe something to do with the jpg compression as well???? what's your technique? this would take an age going pixel by pixel!
Link to comment
Thanks Jeff and Stuart. This job took about an hour, mainly because the two images were slightly out of register, and no matter which way I nudged the top image, there were edges on the opposite side that didn't line up. My guess is a slight movement from one exposure to the next (it doesn't take much). Even two that line up well take about twenty minutes. After knocking out the sky with a layer mask to allow the darker bottom layer to show through, the trick is to methodically paint away the haloes with a soft, low opacity brush. I usually over brighten the top layer so I have some room to go back, blending in the bottom discretely. I will also use a levels adjustment layer as a clipping mask for each layer, that way I can make adjustments to each layer separately to bring them together, darkening the top, lightening the bottom until they start to marry in terms of overall exposure. Its something I have been doing for much of my work for about the last 8 months, so I am finally getting a flow. If I explained the process in detail, I would need another page and a half. As far as this image goes, I still need to tidy up some fringes with the clone stamp. The edge you are seeing must be jpg compression Stuart, click the image for a larger version if you haven't already.
Link to comment
Mark...I stopped because of your lengthy critique request and because of your explanation of technique. I wished more photographers would leave explanations on their images. An exceptional image like this is nice and inspirational to look at but when you leave details...it engages conversation and you are truly giving back to your community. Thank you!
Link to comment
This is very, very cool, Amigo; and it looks just right to the eye. I really do think the EDR is the way to go. I am doing a simplified version myself now; I have not, and probably won't, incorporate all of the bells-and-whistles that you do. I think when you get your better tripod, you'll find that some of your pin registration issues may go away. Nicely seen, captured, and processed. Cheers! Chris
Link to comment
Thanks Tiffany and Chris for taking a longer gander! I enjoy sharing what I am up to in photography. This is a work that is near and dear to me, placing a somewhat mundane subject in a flattering light, creating an element of surprise perhaps. What is especially rewarding is receiving compliments when I have photographed an average subject in just such a way. I see so many dramatic landscapes that receive the automatic oohs and ahhs, and I wonder if there is really any challenge. Don't get me wrong, I will be one of the first to plant a tripod when confronted with something grandiose, but after the clicking, I am often retrospective as to whether I blazed a new trail or just grazed with the herd. A rose is an easy subject, a weed forces creativity.
Link to comment
Going to put in " my 2 cents ". This shot goes well with your Industry photographs. In fact the whole series on the Bakersfield Oil Industry is well thought out and presented. Although I do enjoy looking at some spectacular HDR prints I really have no overwhelming compassion to do one. Course, being temporarily (I hope!) off CS3 its a moot point anyway. You've picked up fine detail in the pipes and the tanks. Adding to that your background lighting you have come up with another work of fine industrial art...RAY
Link to comment
Hey Ray, thanks for your "2 cents". Its worth alot more than that, at least a "buffalo". I am fulfilled by photographing the potentially bland, wrapping it in a pretty package, putting lipstick on a pig if you will. In some ways, actually, this collection of tanks and pipes is worthy of shooting, its all about shapes and graphic lines that make it appealing. Thanks again Lefty!
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...