SML Pro Blog: manhattan bridge

Showing posts with label manhattan bridge. Show all posts

Sunday, August 5, 2007

HDR: Manhattan Bridge in Black and White

Setup
Canon EOS 10D
Canon 17-40 f/4L

Exposure Settings
CRW_35498: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/9.5, 17mm
CRW_35499: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/13, 17mm
CRW_35500: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/6.7, 17mm

Variations
Manhattan Bridge HDR (color version)

Software
Photomatix / HDR Soft
Photoshop / Adobe

Background

When I shot these photos, I did not have a timer cable release with me. If I were to shoot these at a small aperture, I would have to set the camera on bulb while keeping my finger on the shutter release for the entire exposure. To minimize the risk of completely ruining the photos, I've decided to vary the aperture values for the different exposures instead of varying the time and keeping a constant aperture value.

HDR Processing

Note that it is generally not recommended that you vary the aperture values for images intended for HDR (Wikipedia: High dynamic imaging) processing. If you use software like Photomatix to perform tone-mapping, for example, the varying levels of focus on the photo will create blurry results. I have had to apply a bit more USM (Wikipedia: Unsharp Mask) than usual for this image. And if you view large, you can see that the grains are quite visible.

HDR Results

I am happy with the HDR result though--the wider aperture gave it enough exposure to show the golden reflection under the bridge, and the small aperture contribute to the oh-so-gorgeous star bursts from the lights.

Black + White Processing

By using Photoshop's channel mixer for the black and white conversion, I was able to manipulate the the local contrast further. The absence of color united the tonal values of the two orthogonal axis of the bridge. The overall composition seems to have improved, and now looks like a giant extruded plus sign with very heavy industrial ornaments.

B+W Results

The result is very rewarding and I'd like to thank Moxette for her suggestion to process this as a black and white photograph. :)

Related SML Flickr sets and collections

Manhattan Bridge, New York City / Project (Set)
HDR Photography / Project (Set)
SML Photography (Set)
SML Collection (Collection)

Related SML Pro Blog entries

Functional = Beautiful
Manhattan Bridge HDR
Photography = Composition
Photography / Philosophy
SML Collection = See-ming Lee + Design + Technology + Marketing Strategy
Theorizing aesthetics

SML Copyright Notice

Monday, April 9, 2007

Manhattan Bridge HDR

1 comment:

Ah, but Google, you are so kind--Searching on Manhattan Bridge HDR on Google today puts my Flickr photo on the first result. No wonder this photo is getting a huge bump on the number of views recently.

Here are some more Manhattan Bridge HDR shots:

If you like these photographs, you might like my HDR Photography / Project and my Manhattan Bridge, New York City / Project

Related SML Pro Blog entries

Functional = Beautiful
HDR: Manhattan Bridge in Black and White
Manhattan Bridge HDR
Photography = Composition
Photography / Philosophy
SML Collection
Theorizing aesthetics

SML Copyright Notice

Saturday, July 1, 2006

Functional = Beautiful

1 comment:

Living objects found in nature took their form not by how attractive they are aesthestically, but how useful their functions are. Yet, almost everything we find in nature is stunningly gorgeous. Man-made objects often sacrifice functionality to keep its beautiful form, but is statistically less beautiful than living things.

This is one of the main reasons why Manhattan Bridge is an ongoing subject for me. It is a functional utilitarian object created not for its beauty, but for its function. Like nature, living things take their forms not for its appeal, but for its necessity.

Here are some highlights from my Manhattan Bridge set on Flickr: