Hokkaido - End of Spring 2008

[hjbyeo]

Is there a particular software we need to use? Cos' how could the sky look like that and yet the foreground's so bright? Does it mean that the different exposure shots gets merge together?

 

[dOlBy]

Nice trip and beautiful scenery. When will the HDR tutorial class starts? I will be the first to sign up.

I also want to sign up, we go out and shoot then go to somewhere to process the photos.

 

[g-khoo]

Nice set bro. Except for the haloing in #1

 

[kuantoh]

Nice trip and beautiful scenery. When will the HDR tutorial class starts? I will be the first to sign up.

I think gkhoo can give a more in depth tutorial on DI + HDR... Waiting for him to announce his rates...

Is there a particular software we need to use? Cos' how could the sky look like that and yet the foreground's so bright? Does it mean that the different exposure shots gets merge together?

U can use Photoshop to do it. I have seen pros take 9 exposures and manual overlay and dodge and burn to achieve a very good HDR. For me, I use Photomatix to do it. Some ppl use one exposure to achieve this the HDR effect. I normally use 5 exposures 2 under, one normal and two over.

I also want to sign up, we go out and shoot then go to somewhere to process the photos.

We can organise a CBD HDR for TSers soon... Haha...

Nice set bro. Except for the haloing in #1

Well spotted. Overdid for pic one... thanx for pointing out... waiting for ur DI course... :devil:

 

[kuantoh]

OTARU Series

These 2 pics taken from hotel room. Tried waking up to take the sunrise at 330am but cloudy skies. Went back to sleep and woke up at 6 plus to see this blue skies... 2nd one is pano cropped, no stitching.

Otaru Canal and the warehouses. Now a tourist attraction area.

Toyako Series

This pic is taken near toyako at nobori betsu. This is a new mountain formation supposedly arising from an earthquake in 1943. This volcano is still active as sulphur fumes can be seen coming out from the sides.

A silhouette attempt with a memorial statue of a photojournalist against a sunset.

 

[kuantoh]

Toyako Series Cont'd

Two sunset attempts at Lake Toya. First one lens flare turned out to be quite pleasing IMO. Like a meteorite hitting the lake.

 

[foreverlovex]

nice use of wide-angle and HDR. Simple and pleasing.

 

[g-khoo]

Toyako Series Cont'd

Two sunset attempts at Lake Toya. First one lens flare turned out to be quite pleasing IMO. Like a meteorite hitting the lake.

Nice catch :thumbsup:. Even though accidental.

Did you make a wish?

 

[Pokka]

nice pictures...just hope its bigger..easier to see : )

 

[night86mare]

personally, i'm going to say that the hdrs here are overdone, esp the later ones in the first page (namely, sapporo continued), there is so much haloing/uneven lighting which is impossible!

the color saturation is also a tad haphazard. note that this is if you are going for a realistic look, i.e. increased dynamic range but still natural lighting. the attempt here, frankly, looks to me like an attempt to simply "make bright points dark and dark points bright".. not all the composition is weak but i think compositional strength is a tad erratic here.

and i hope i don't sound anal about tilts and all that, but they are easily corrected..

surrealistic hdr can work, i have seen some good examples in angelreich's portfolio, but these here, they do not work for me - there seems to be a lack of direction as to what is sought to be achieved from using the hdr technique other than a scrounging of massive detail from the scene.

 

[kuantoh]

personally, i'm going to say that the hdrs here are overdone, esp the later ones in the first page (namely, sapporo continued), there is so much haloing/uneven lighting which is impossible!

the color saturation is also a tad haphazard. note that this is if you are going for a realistic look, i.e. increased dynamic range but still natural lighting. the attempt here, frankly, looks to me like an attempt to simply "make bright points dark and dark points bright".. not all the composition is weak but i think compositional strength is a tad erratic here.

and i hope i don't sound anal about tilts and all that, but they are easily corrected..

surrealistic hdr can work, i have seen some good examples in angelreich's portfolio, but these here, they do not work for me - there seems to be a lack of direction as to what is sought to be achieved from using the hdr technique other than a scrounging of massive detail from the scene.

Thanx for the feedback. U r right that I am trying to increase the DR of the scene. Sometimes I do get a bit over into doing it and end up having the pic becoming too "fake". The TV Tower was one case i suppose which u brought up. Thanx for providing the link to angelreich portfolio. It was impressive... Definitely a lot more to learn

 

[kuantoh]

nice use of wide-angle and HDR. Simple and pleasing.

Thanx bro... where's ur next backpacking destination?

Nice catch :thumbsup:. Even though accidental.

Did you make a wish?

Haha... wish against a flare? :bsmilie:

nice pictures...just hope its bigger..easier to see : )

Thanx for the feedback. Larger ones can be viewed on my flickr. Next time will try to post larger ones... :sweat:

 

[giantcanopy]

Hi Kuantoh.

Thanks for sharing your holiday shots

Was wondering if you have itinerary for the trip that you might be able to share with us

Ryan

 

[kuantoh]

PM sent to interested personnel on the itinerary.

Some more shots to share...

Toyako Series Cont'd

There was fireworks display at Lake Toya but not sure what event was it for. Seems that every month they would have this event.

Morning mist at Lake Toya... That morning was really misty. Sort of gave a mystery feel to the lake and the surroundings...

This picture is not empty... there is a duck in the waters... hee...

Strawberries were very sweet and juicy there... there were free sampling, well i ate arnd 8-10 i think... self pluck fresh from the farms and eat immediately... talk about freshness...

 

[kuantoh]

トラピスト修道院

Visited a nunnery... Main chapel was out of bounds so took photos from outside only. Quite a big place but nevertheless cannot compare to those in europe in terms of architecture.

 

[icebox]

The fireworks occur every night I think. Saw it the two nights I was there. But always caught without tripod ><

 

[kuantoh]

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This was an ancient fort that was a small empire which lasted for less than 6 months i think. The architecture of this place was built in a start shape manner which follows ancient italian forts architecture (if i never remember the explanation wrongly). Too bad I did not take the ride up to the tower and take an overview of this fort. U can do a google on the name... hee...

Notice the shine on the head and not the body or elsewhere. Everybody when visiting here will rub the head of this famous person to gain wisdom...

Hakodate Series

This place is similar to Otaru but i find here more peaceful and less crowded. I personally love this place more. Forgot the actual name of the place but the old Meijikan Post Office is here.

 

[kuantoh]

Hakodate Series Cont'd

The old Meijikan Post Office. Now an attraction spot.

The NHK TV signal station for Hakodate... Yes distortion present but was thinking it felt like 2 missles ready for launch... heehee...

A top view of Hakodate... Weather was very misty and cloudy. Basically can barely see half of hakodate.

A statue at the foot of the hill... took it while in the coach on the way up...

 

[kuantoh]

Last part of Hakodate Series

This shall be the last of the series and my Hokkaido trip...

 

[Pokka]

overall very nice! : ) love it