HDR for night shots?

[David Morison]

A short visit to the cottage in Whitby and I fell under the spell of the harbour at night again. Last year after a visit I posted a shot of this scene from of one of the cottage windows taken on the E-M5, so I thought I would compare the capabilities of the two OMDs for this type of subject. The image from the E-M1 was a slight disappointment seeming to be a little noisier than the M5 and with perhaps too much contrast so I decided to have a go with the HDR1 function, which I use quite often. This is the result but I have done some further tweaking in LR5.6 and Snapheal:



I wonder if you think this does the job for this type of subject or perhaps it is a bit too "Painterly"

With the Leica 14-150mm

Thanks

David

[Phill D]

Re: HDR for night shots?

Looks just right to me David nicely captured. Wouldn't have known it was HDR.
How about showing the original EM5 & EM1 comparisons too?

[Zuiko]

Re: HDR for night shots?

By "painterly" I presume you mean "artificial" David. No, I think it looks quite natural and believable, nicely processed. I suppose the noise issue is one of the differences between a Sony and a Panasonic sensor. The only thing that does strike me is that maybe the reflections of the blue lights are a little more dominant than I would have expected, but can't think why. It's still an excellent shot in my opinion.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: HDR for night shots?

David, it is absolutely beautiful ; STUNNING IMAGE ! and I would love a print of it on my wall ! We had hoped to "get to Whitby" during our North Yorkshire holidays at Nidd Hall last month and failed to get there Seeing this image makes up for it ! in many ways

[Wee man]

Re: HDR for night shots?

It all works well will have give this a try.

[George Dorn]

Re: HDR for night shots?

A good photo. The artificial light comes across well.

[David Morison]

Re: HDR for night shots?

By "painterly" I presume you mean "artificial" David. No, I think it looks quite natural and believable, nicely processed. I suppose the noise issue is one of the differences between a Sony and a Panasonic sensor. The only thing that does strike me is that maybe the reflections of the blue lights are a little more dominant than I would have expected, but can't think why. It's still an excellent shot in my opinion.

John,

The row of blue lights, although appearing blue to the eye, are partially burnt out on the image but as the intensity is reduced the true colour is seen in the reflection. This shows that the only way to see things is by eye and that the photographic image is a very poor second.

David

[Guest]

Re: HDR for night shots?

Did you use an ND filter?

[StephenL]

Re: HDR for night shots?

Looks a perfectly exposed photo to me, not painterly at all. Good one!

[paullus]

Re: HDR for night shots?

David it is a beautiful shot and I agree with Chevvy, I'd like it on my wall. Okay if you sit and stare at it close up you can see that it's not 100% sharp. There again when you look at paintings close up you can see brush strokes and blemishes. Stand back and only then is the true beauty revealed.
Just out of interest I have used HDR hand held and had some surprisingly pleasing results. Was this picture taken hand held or on a tripod?

I visited Whitby a couple of years ago and it is a delightful place and somewhere I intend to revisit. Did you try the Magpie cafe which is still heralded as one of the best fish and chip shops around. I'm guessing your picture was taken somewhere close to it.


Nice one!

Steve

[David Morison]

Re: HDR for night shots?

Did you use an ND filter?

No filter was used, only the E-M1's HDR function at Level1

David

[David Morison]

Re: HDR for night shots?

David it is a beautiful shot and I agree with Chevvy, I'd like it on my wall. Okay if you sit and stare at it close up you can see that it's not 100% sharp. There again when you look at paintings close up you can see brush strokes and blemishes. Stand back and only then is the true beauty revealed.
Just out of interest I have used HDR hand held and had some surprisingly pleasing results. Was this picture taken hand held or on a tripod?

I visited Whitby a couple of years ago and it is a delightful place and somewhere I intend to revisit. Did you try the Magpie cafe which is still heralded as one of the best fish and chip shops around. I'm guessing your picture was taken somewhere close to it.


Nice one!

Steve

This was taken resting the camera on a window sill as the exposure time was 1 second, which I think is the maximum that is possible with the HDR function. I quite often use the function hand held for birds (not BIF) in bright weather and am always surprised at the quality of results achieved, especially as it is a compilation of four exposures of a moving target! I don't know how it does it - must be magic!

The Magpie is on the far bank and just off to the right of this picture.

David

[OM USer]

Re: HDR for night shots?

A good shot and thoughtful and controlled use of HDR.

I prefer Trenchers for my fish and chips when I'm in Whitby.

[andyp]

Re: HDR for night shots?

Nice shot and Whitby looks like that at night i remember going there a few years ago on holiday, one of my favourite places along with the North Yorkshire moors.