1st Place: Dusk at Williamstown by Canon DSLR Challenge

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01-AUG-2009	Michael Kilpatrick

1st Place: Dusk at Williamstown

This is a high dynamic range image processed in Photomatix Pro from multiple bracketed shots. Some people don't like this method of dealing with high contrast subjects, but the result is much closer to how I remember the scene than a single image with blocked up shadows or blown highlights.

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GeraldH		04-Aug-2009 19:54
HDR makes sense here, and you have used it very well here, Michael. The result looks very natural, not overprocessed as often.

Michael Kilpatrick		04-Aug-2009 12:11
Thanks Najinsky. I have tried using auto bracketing and high speed burst to shoot 3 hand held images for loading into Photomatix but usually got some ghosting. Photomatix is meant to have the ability to correct misaligned images, but that function seems not to work that well. In the past I have also always used the maximum two stops above and below the "correct" exposure and I think that might be too much of a gap. This image is the result of 7 exposures, 2/3 stop apart, with the camera on a tripod, which seems to have produced a much better result. I'm still a bit ambivalent about it. When I first saw it I was very pleased, but quite quckly began thinking it is like a scene from a video game. I'll leave it as is though. You can download a trial version of Photomatix, by the way. It is fully functional but inserts three small watermarks into the processed image. Regards, Michael

Canon DSLR Challenge		04-Aug-2009 08:36
I like the dynamic range here Michael. I take a lot of shoreline/sunset pictures and it is difficult to represent the true scene with the limited DR of the cameras. I usually use a single image and push the shadows but it to easily goes from almost right, to over cooked! You achieved a great result here. Does Photomatix work with hand-held or is a tripod needed? -Regards, Najinsky

Michael Kilpatrick		01-Aug-2009 23:46
Thanks for your comments Rob, Troy, Bob, Sharon and Nico. Bob, it was a comment from you in an earlier challenge that got me thinking about setting off to Williamstown in the rain yesterday. Luckily the rain cleared soon after I arrived, just before it got dark. Regards Michael

jnconradie		01-Aug-2009 19:21
B R I L L I A N T ! HDR at its best.

elips		01-Aug-2009 16:12
This is one of the better HDR images I've seen, not over done, very realistic looking. I like it very much, the light on dampness on the beach is especially wonderful. I do appreciate your comments with the image, I always like to know how people accomplish their images. ~Sharon

Canon DSLR Challenge		01-Aug-2009 14:07
Very good Michael. This is a favourite 'haunt' of mine. I think you have captured the atmosphere well. The shortcomings of sensors makes it not possible to capture the true dynamic range, so in my opinion, bracketing shots is a legitimate way of reproducing what nature produces. Perhaps one day, developments in technology may make this a reality with just one frame? Regards Melbob

Guest		01-Aug-2009 12:21
Very Good! IMO I do like the processing. It sure brings out the detail.

Canon DSLR Challenge		01-Aug-2009 12:16
Thanks for the explanation Michael. But why 'defend' your actions beforehand? Rob