Just a little theory as an introduction

High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than current standard digital imaging techniques. One of the biggest problems in photography is how to successfully display the scene so that the bright areas in the picture are not too bright (burned away) and the dark areas are not too dark. To avoid this, photographers use different types of graduated filters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduated_neutral_density_filter), black card technique (http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonyko/sets/72157600257527104/) and HDR.

What do I need for HDR?

For HDR you need:

•  camera (of course)
• tripod (that all exposures have the same scene without camera movement)
• remote triger (wire or wireless, to avoid camera movement)

You also need some software on your computer:

• Program to generate the HDR, there are many, but here we use one of the most famous: Photomatix (http://www.hdrsoft.com/). If you do not have Photomatix, here you can download a trial version: http://www.hdrsoft.com/download.html
• Adobe Photoshop (CS5 recommended) or another image editing program that has the ability to work with layers

 Does the camera should be set?

Yes, the camera also needs to prepared for HDR, and maybe you will need a user’s manual.

• Turn on option “Auto bracketing“

Drive Mode - Auto Bracket

• If possible adjust the bracketing order to  +, 0, -

Auto Bracketing Order - + 0 -

• Adjust saving of images in RAW and JPG format

Format - JPG + RAW

What is RAW and why it is needed?

RAW is a photograph which was recorded by the camera sensor without or with minimal processing. Often RAW is called digital negative, because it should be prepared with the proper software for further processing (viewing, printing …). You can read more on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_image_format. If you have not properly set your camera, white balance or exposure for example, that can be corrected in the RAW converter. Since RAW is a photo that the camera sensor has recorded, it has the largest dynamic range, which in later conversion to other formats (TIF, JPG) is lost. To make later viewing of captured images easier, it is also desirable to save the photos in JPG format.

Photographing for HDR

If you have everything you need for HDR, you can start photographing. Find an interesting shot, set the camera on a tripod and connect the wire trigger. For landscape photography set camera as follows:

• AV mode
• F/8 because of the greater depth of field
•  ISO 100 it would be less noise
• Choose a frame
• Set the focus to the 2 / 3 the depth of field
• record a series of photos (3 or more, depending on how many your camera allows)

After returning from the shooting move photos to a computer. Now we can start making HDR.

Which photos are suitable for making HDR?

HDR can be done from photos in JPG and TIF formats. HDR made from photos in JPG format has a bit more vibrant color, but because JPG is lesser quality than TIF, a little more noise. HDR made from photos in TIF format is slightly better quality, but there is a little less color.

What types of HDR’s exists?

There are two basic types of HDR:

• Normal (real) HDR made with more photos with different exposures
• Pseudo HDR is made from one photo from which you make multiple copies and in RAW editor changed exposure of each copy. Do not make pseudo HDR from photographs in JPG format because there is too much loss in quality, and the result is not satisfactory.

 Let’s make HDR…

First, on the computer create a new temporary working folder and copy photos from which you are making HDR. If you do not have your own photos, you can use the photos IMG01.JPG, IMG02.JPG, IMG03.JPG from working materials.

Now we have 3 (or more) photos from which we are doing HDR.

Image 01 - High Brightness

Image 02 - Medium Brightness

Image 03 - Low Brightness

You can use this images for training and learning.

 The procedure is as follows…

• Start PhotoMatix
• In window “Workflow Shortcuts“ click on “Load Bracketed Photos“
• In a new window that opens (“Generate HDR – Selecting source images“), click on “Browse …” and find photos from which you are doing HDR
• Click OK
• New window “Preprocessing Options” is now opened. Our photos are taken on tripod, so we dont need first option “Align source images“. On the photographs is sea and small waves that vary on each of the exposure, so we check the second option “Reduce ghosting artifact”, “Automatic“ and Detection “High“

Generate HDR - Selecting source images

Photomatix Workflow Shortcuts

Photomatix Preprocessing Options

• Click OK
• PhotoMatix is working…
• If you have older version of PhotoMatix, you will see an ugly HDR.. don’t worry … just click on “Tone mapping”. In newer versions PhotoMatix goes directly to “Tone mapping“, unless you chek option “Show intermediary 32-bit HDR image“ on window “Generate HDR – Select souce image“
• When photomatix finished with work, it opens window with overview of HDR, on the left side is window with adjustment paramaters and on the bottom is window with preset thumbnails. Explanation of parameter setting can be found in the help for PhotoMatix, so here we will not explain them detailed. Settings that work well are the following:
  

  Photomatix Adjustments 01

  

  Photomatix Adjustments 02

  

  Photomatix Adjustments 03

• If you wish, you may play with those setting to see how it effects on HDR image. It would be good to save these settings by clicking on the “Presets” and in drop-down menu choose “Save Settings …”
• Click on “Process“
• HDR is finished!

IMG01_HDR_FRX 1 PhotoMatix

•  Now save it… select menu “File + Save As“ or shortcut „Ctrl+S“. Give him a name like „IMG01_HDR_MYNAME.TIF“. Notice that the HDR is saved in TIF format, so there is no loss in quality as the JPG files.
• Don’t worry if you see lot of noise (HDR images are lot noisy then regular), or if HDR does not look too good. We will correct it later. This HDR is now usable, and HDR’s like this you can find plenty on the Internet (for example: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/10/35-fantastic-hdr-pictures/). Since our goal is to get a little more realistic HDR, we will continue processing in Photoshop.
• Close PhotoMatix and start Photoshop.

Processing HDR in Photoshop

In Photoshop select „File + Open“ or shortcut Ctrl+O. Select 3 images: overexposed image (+3 EV or +2 EV), HDR image and normal image (0 EV) (for multiple selections press and hold down Ctrl key when selecting with mouse).

Photoshop open files

• press “Open“
• Images are opened in Photoshop…

Photoshop tabs

• Select HDR image, select all (menu Select + All or shortcut Ctrl+a), copy (menu Edit + Copy or shortcut Ctrl+C), close image (menu File + Close or shortcut Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4)
• Select normal image and paste copied image (menu Edit + Paste or shortcut Ctrl+V).  In list of layers appeared a new layer in which is the HDR image

Photoshop layers

• Select overexposed image and repeat previous steps (select all, copy, close, paste). Now overexposed image is on the top of all layers. Change blending mode to “Multiply“.

• Now you can see HDR image, but usually it is too dark. Change the opacity until all parts of the HDR are clearly visible and not too dark. Usually it is about 75%, but in this example it is about 40%. Check a difference obtained with this effect by turning on and off the layer with the overexposed image (little eye to the left in the list of layers). HDR now look more realistic.

• You can also check the difference between this HDR and the normal image… press and hold down the alt key and then turn on and off the background layer.

• Let’s save our HDR. First flatten image (menu Layer + Flatten image), then select menu “File + Save As”… change format to TIF and in file list select original HDR image (IMG01_HDR_MYNAME.TIF). Click “Save”.

Photoshop Save As...

• Our HDR now looks like this:

• We will continue with adjusting Shadows / Highlights (menu Image + Adjustments + Shadows/Highlights…). Check on option “Show More Options” if it’s unchecked. With the adjustment of these options you can play around and see what influence it has on the photo. Values that give good results in most cases are the following:

Photoshop Shadows / Highlights

• If you wish, you may save this setting as default, by pressing the “Save As Defaults” button. To see changes on photo, turn off and then turn on “Preview” option. The colors are a little stronger now, and sky more dramatic:

•  Now is the right time for one step that does not refer only to the HDR, but for all the photos – Lens Correction. Always make Lens Correction  on a separate layer. The copy of layer can be created from the menu Layer + Duplicate Layer (shortcut Ctrl + J). Since we already have a separate layer, now we will not do it. Select menu Filter + Lens Correction… the following window is opened:

• On the left side (1) are some basic tools: Remove Distortion Tool, Straighten Tool, Move Grid Tool, Hand Tool and Zoom Tool.
• On the right side are Lens Profiles. If Photoshop is not able to determine which a model of lens you used, select it yourself. In doing so, you may need to browse profile lenses online…

• On the bottom (3) you may turn on/off Preview and Grid
• Tab “Custom” (4) offers some advanced options for correcting photos
• First we will align the image. It is necessary to choose the part of the photo closer to the center, which should be horizontal or vertical. In this photo it is part labeled with (5). This part of the photo you can zoom in using the Zoom Tool. Select “Straighten Tool”. Click and hold down left mouse button on the left side of the photo where the sky joins with the sea. Drag the mouse to the right along the line of the horizon and then release the left mouse button. Voila! Photo is aligned!
• In the lower right corner where the zoom is shown, click on the selection of zoom (small arrow down) and select “Fit on Screen”. Please make sure everything is OK and click OK.

Removing noise

• As we mentioned before, HDR is bit more noisy then regular image, so let’s remove noise. I usually use “Dfine” filter (http://www.niksoftware.com/dfine/usa/entry.php), but if you haven’t got it, use Photoshop filter. Open menu “Filter + Noise + Reduce noise…”. In this window try changing parameters until you get best result.

• Much better results are obtained with Dfine. Open menu “Filter + Nik Software + Dfine”. Upon opening, Dfine automatically profiles photo. In the lower right corner you can see part of photo without filter and with filter. With the mouse check different parts of the image to see how much of the noise will be reduced by Dfine.

• After you click on OK, Dfine is working…

Medvedgrad (Croatian for bear-town or city of bears) is a medieval fortified town located on the south slopes of Medvednica mountain, approximately halfway from the Croatian capital Zagreb to the mountain top Sljeme.

For defensive purposes it was built on a hill, Mali Plazur, that is a spur of the main ridge of the mountain that overlooks the city.

On a clear day the castle can be seen from far away, especially the high main tower.

Below the main tower of the castle is Oltar Domovine (Altar of the homeland) which is dedicated to the fallen Croatian soldiers in the Croatian War of Independence.

The fortress was constructed after the Mongol invasion of 1242 when the city of Zagreb was destroyed and burned to the ground.

It was built by Philippe (de genere Türje), bishop of Zagreb, between 1249 and 1254 ; later it was owned by bans of Slavonia.

After an earthquake in 1590 the fortress was heavily damaged and abandoned. It remained in ruins till recently when it was partly restored and now offers a panoramic view of the city from an altitude of over 500 meters (1,600 ft).

These photos won first and forth place on Pixoto in the week 11.-17.12.2011

Colorful dawn

Flock

http://thephotovote.com/archives/6273

Zagrebački Glavni kolodvor / Zagreb Main Station

Zagreb Main Station (Croatian: Zagrebački Glavni kolodvor) is the central railway station in Zagreb and the largest railway station in Croatia. It is located in the center of Zagreb, on King Tomislav Square. The construction of the building was started in 1890 and was officially opened in 1892. The project was overseen by Hungarian architect Ferenc Pfaff. Larger reconstruction were made in 1986–87 (just before the 1987 Summer Universiade), and again in 2006. The 186.5-meter long building was built in the neoclassical style. The station is the main hub for the Croatian Railways.

Umjetnički paviljon u Zagrebu / Art Pavilion in Zagreb

The Art Pavilion in Zagreb (Croatian: Umjetnički paviljon u Zagrebu) is an art gallery in Zagreb, Croatia. The Pavilion is located in the Lower Town area of the city, south of Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square and just north of the King Tomislav Square with the Main Train Station. Established in 1898, it is the oldest gallery in the Southeast Europe and the only purpose-built gallery in Zagreb designed specifically to accommodate large scale exhibitions.

More on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Pavilion_in_Zagreb

Zrinjevac

Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square (Croatian: Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog, popularly referred to as Zrinjevac) is a square and park in Donji Grad, the central part of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. It is located near the central Ban Jelačić Square, halfway towards the Main Railway Station. It is a part of the so-called Green horseshoe or Lenuzzi’s horseshoe (Croatian: Zelena potkova or Lenucijeva potkova), which consists of seven squares in Donji grad. It is spread over an area of 12,540 square meters (135,000 sq ft). The southern part of Zrinjevac sports busts of significant Croatian people: Julije Klović, Andrija Medulić, Fran Krsto Frankopan, Nikola Jurišić, Ivan Kukuljević Sakcinski and Ivan Mažuranić.
More on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zrinjevac_(Zagreb)

Trg bana Josipa Jelačića / Ban Jelacic Square

Trg bana Josipa Jelačića / Ban Jelacic Square

Ban Jelacic Square (Croatian: Trg bana Josipa Jelačića or Trg bana Jelačića) is the central square of the city of Zagreb, Croatia, named after ban Josip Jelačić. The official name is Trg bana Jelačića. It is colloquially referred to as Jelačić plac (derived from Platz, the German word for square or plaza) or simply Trg (“the square”). It is located below Zagreb’s old city cores Gradec and Kaptol and directly south of the Dolac Market on the intersection of Ilica, Radićeva Street, the small streets Splavnica and Harmica, Bakačeva Street, Jurišićeva Street, Praška Street and Gajeva Street. It is the center of the Zagreb Downtown pedestrian zone.
More on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ban_Jela%C4%8Di%C4%87_Square

Manduševac / Mandusevac

Mandusevac fountain located in eastern part of Ban Jelacic Sqare.

Cvjetni trg / Flowers Square

Petar Preradović Square (Croatian: Trg Petra Preradovića) in Zagreb, also called Cvjetni trg (Flowers Square). In the center of the square stands a statue of Croatian poet Petar Preradović by sculptor Ivan Rendić. It is a well known meeting place of Zagreb citizens.

Welcome to Zagreb, the capital city of the Republic of Croatia. Zagreb is an old Central European city. For centuries it has been a focal point of culture and science, and now of commerce and industry as well. It lies on the intersection of important routes between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe.
When the Croatian people achieved their independence in 1991, Zagreb became a capital – a political and administrative centre for the Republic of Croatia. Zagreb is also the hub of the business, academic, cultural, artistic and sporting worlds in Croatia. Many famed scientists, artists and athletes come from the city, or work in it. Zagreb can offer its visitors the Baroque atmosphere of the Upper Town, picturesque open-air markets, diverse shopping facili­ties, an abundant selection of crafts and a choice vernacular cuisine. Zagreb is a city of green parks and walks, with many places to visit in the beautiful surroundings. The city will enter into the third millennium with a population of one million. In spite of the rapid development of the economy and transportation, it has retained its charm, and a relaxed feeling that makes it a genuinely human city.

Zagreb at dusk

 The Upper Town

St. Mark’s Square (Croatian: Trg svetog Marka, also known as Markov trg) is a square located in the old part of Zagreb, Croatia, called Gradec or Gornji grad (English: Upper town). In the center of square is located St. Mark’s Church. The square also sports important governmental buildings: Banski dvori (the seat of the Government of Croatia), Croatian Parliament (Croatian: Hrvatski sabor) and Constitutional Court of Croatia. Panorama 180 °

The Tower of Lotrscak (Local Name: Kula Lotrscak) , which dates to the 13th Century, was built to guard the southern gate of the Gradec town wall. The square Romanesque tower once held a bell, which rang out each night prior to the closing of the gates. After such time anyone left outside the gates would have to remain there for the night. In the 19th century a fourth floor and windows were added to the Tower of Lotrscak and a canon was placed on the top. The canon has been fired every day at noon since that time. It is supposed to mark a historical event in Zagreb’s history but is most commonly used to set watches.

The old town romance

The old town romance

With its unique, tiled roof that graces most local guidebooks and brochures, the 13th century St. Mark’s church stands proudly on St. Mark’s square. The colourful tiles form two sets of coat-of-arms – the one on the left represents Croatia, and the regions of Dalmatia and Slavonia, while the one on the right represents the city of Zagreb. The church is just as exquisite inside with sculptures created by Croat master Ivan Mestrovic.

St. catherine’s Church is the most beautiful baroque church in Zagreb. It was built by the Jesuits between 1620 and 1632. It is a one – nave church with six side chapels and a shrine. The chapels have five wooden baroque altars (the 17th century) and one marble altar from 1729. the arched ceiling and the walls are characterized by luxurious stucco from 1732. The shrine contains a low main altar, which is located in front of the large illusionist composition “St. Catherine among the Philosophers of alexandria”, painted by Kristofor Andrija Jelovsek from Ljubljana, Slovenia. The church was thoroughly reconstructed after the 1880 earthquake, based on the design of Hermann Bolle.

Local name Zagrebačka katedrala or Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The twin Spires of the Cathedral are a landmark feature of Zagreb and the most famous structure in Zagreb. A cathedral has stood on this spot for hundreds of years. The first cathedral built here was destroyed by the Tartar invasion in the 13th century. The current structure was built in the later half of the 13th Century, although many alterations and renovations have been made since that time, changing the structure almost completely. Most recently, the earthquake of 1880 destroyed large sections of the Cathedral, including the dome and the bell tower. The reconstruction that proceeded after the quake maintained the original medieval design.

The Lower Town

Ban Jelacic Square (Croatian: Trg bana Josipa Jelačića or Trg bana Jelačića) is the central square of the city of Zagreb, Croatia, named after ban Josip Jelačić. The official name is Trg bana Jelačića. It is colloquially referred to as Jelačić plac (derived from Platz, the German word for square or plaza) or simply Trg (“the square”). It is located below Zagreb’s old city cores Gradec and Kaptol and directly south of the Dolac market on the intersection of Ilica from the west, Radićeva Street from the northwest, the small streets Splavnica and Harmica from the north, Bakačeva Street from the northeast, Jurišićeva Street from the east, Praška Street from the southeast and Gajeva Street from the southwest. It is the center of the Zagreb Downtown pedestrian zone.

Zrinjevac is a shorter name for Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square. It is a the tree-lined park with plane trees. In the middle of the park, there is a music pavilion, built in 1891. Square was named after a Croatian (also a Hungarian) national hero, Nikola Šubić Zrinski (Zrin, 1508. – Siget, September 7.1566.), who was a Croatian nobleman and ban (ban was the head of government, army and judiciary, as the king’s deputy representative in Croatia). Zrinski distinguished himself as a fearless army leader in numerous battles against Ottoman Turks. Finally he ended his life in 1566. commanding a defence of the fortified town of Siget (Hungarian – Szigetvár) in southern Hungary. The siege of Siget and heroic death of Nikola Šubić Zrinski and his man became one of the most epic episodes in both Croatian and Hungarian history.

Ilica street is one of the longest streets in Zagreb and considered to be the most expensive residential street in the city. The busy street is home to many shops and cultural sites and spans the entire western half of the city, from the Ban Jelačić Square in the city centre up to the Črnomerec district. The name was first recorded in 1431, while the street itself retained its present shape at the end of the 18th century. During a part of its historical timeline, the street appeared under the name Lončarska ves (English: Potter village). The street is 6.4 km long, making it the third longest street in the city.

This is a beautiful shopping passage right in the center of Zagreb. It houses lots of expensive shops.

(Local Name: Hrvatsko Narodno Kazaliste) Built in 1895 by Viennese architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, the Croatian National Theatre (Hrvatsko Narodno Kazaliste) in Zagreb sits at the beginning (the northwest corner) of the “green horseshoe” in Donji Grad. It was officially opened on October 14, 1894, by the Emperor Franz Joseph I. The imposing yellow structure in Trg Marsala, is a landmark feature in the Lower Town. The building is a Neo-baroque and Rococo style, with two small domes at the front and a larger dome towards the back. The interior contains artworks by Vlaho Bukovac, and “The Well of Life” by Ivan Mestrovic.

Fountain “The Source of Life” (Ivan Meštrović, 1905) in front of Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb

Croatian National Archives (local name: Hrvatski državni arhiv) collects, preserves and makes accesible archive matters of individuals, organisations and institutions.

Mihanovićeva street is near Main Railroad Station.

The “Mosque” (local name Džamija), as it is colloquially called by residents of Zagreb, has a very interesting history. It was built according to the designs of the famous sculptor Ivan Meštrović, since its initial purpose was for it to be a monument for the king Petar I. Instead of a statue on the square, it was voted that a building would be erected, which would house an arts museum. It served as a museum for nearly 10 years, when it was turned into a mosque, with three minarets built around the site. Although it served as a mosque for only 5 years, the name stuck with the people, which is how it is still referred to. During communism it served as the Museum of the National Revolution up until 1990, when it was returned to its original purpose and given back for use to the Croatian Association of Artists. Nowadays, apart for housing exhibitions by prominent Croatian contemporary artists, the gallery hosts many visiting exhibitions, artistic manifestations and even concerts of experimental music. All in all, it is an interesting space to visit, either for the architecture of the place or the contents of its three galleries.

Western Railway Station (local name Zapadni kolodvor)

ThePhotoVote, 12/18/2011, Macro Contest Winner

Imagine being able to step back into time and be a witness to a Croatian Christmas story. Right in the heart of Croatia, near Cazma, is one of the world’s most stunning holiday displays. Every evening, from 5:00PM to 9:00PM, one million lights will set the scene for the Christmas display at the Salaj family farm in village Grabovnica, which, additionally features lights, stables, and mangers. During the event, the family offers a re-enactment of Christ’s birth with lambs and mules.
Visitors from all over the world come to see the beautiful holiday exhibit, which includes a million multi-colored lights all around the house and yard. There is not one tree, bush, shrub, or building that is not a-glow with colorful lights. Guests are able to walk through the yard, over bridges, and down paths lined in bright red, green, blue, and white.
And then, there are the culinary delicacies crowning the evening: traditional drinks like hot teas and mulled wine to warm the heart, and Croatian specialties like roasted carp, and Moslavina grilled sausages.

For more photos visit:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109730337987021901018/20100103Cazma

These photos won first, second and sixth place on Pixoto in the week 13.-19.11.2011

Field at dawn

The old wooden bridge

Storm in the field

My first post!