Nossob Sunrise (Take #2: HDR)

[Morkel Erasmus]

As promised, here is my take on the Kalahari sunrise scene in my previous post (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=54021) in HDR.

I also composed differently for this shot.

3 exposures taken with camera resting on car window beanbag. Blended in Photomatix and processed in CS3.

Would love your feedback here...

Techs:
Canon 1000D with 18-55mm IS @ 18mm
f22 @ 1/100 SS @ ISO-100
Exp -0.3
Pushed blacks in FG during PP to enhance the silhouetted look.
Used f22 for a solar flare effect.

[Stu Bowie]

Good HDR processing here mate. I like the comp here, and the sun rays expanding out into the image puts this over the top. Well seen.

[David Thomasson]

Excellent, Mork! You must have calibrated eyeballs! :cool:

I wouldn't want to choose between this composition and the one in the other post. I like both ... maybe a very slight
preference for this one. But that might be because the foreground details are a little more visible in this shot -- just the
right amount so they don't detract from the sky. Great job!

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Stu & David...I also prefer this one!

David - calibrated eyeballs?? :confused::)

[Dennis "Curly" Buchner]

Nice work

[Dave Mills]

Hi Morkel. I tend to lean towards this one also. One reason is you can see a foreground as opposed to a silouette which is also effective.The sky is also strong with nice handling of hdr. For my taste I would crop out the small tree on right...

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Morkel,
Definitely this one. Sky is even stronger too as is the FG. Very nicely done!

[Morkel Erasmus]

appreciate it Roman, Dave & Curly!

[Keith Bauer]

Yep, I agree. This one is the better of the two for me. Nice HDR processing.

[Vida van der Walt]

Not sure which of the two I prefer as they are both such great images. That sky and the rays of light combined with the silhouette are wonderful.:)

[Morkel Erasmus]

thank you Keith & Vida!

[Indranil Sircar]

Beautiful Morkel. Just love the sky. The fg gives a nice balance.

[Robert Amoruso]

Morkel,

This version is the one. Nice work on the HDR.

[Fabs Forns]

Very nice skies and rays of light. The tree reminds me of Edward Scissorhands :)
You are mastering HDR.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks a lot Indranil, Fabs & Robert.

Fabs - good point, I see the resemblance ;)

[peter delaney]

Hi Morkel

You are definitely getting the hang of HDR, but to be honest although I love the sky, who wouldn't, I think you chose the wrong subject for FG. I really find that it takes away rather than enhance the image... sorry if i am being too frank.

peter

[Morkel Erasmus]

no problem Peter, it's by being frank that I have learnt much from you :)
I understand what you're saying and agree in a sense - there at the moment it made sense to use the wrinkly thorn tree, to give it a sense of Kalahari.

I have another take on this from a different spot with mostly sky in a vertical format, will post soon...

[Myer Bornstein]

I want this picture for my wall Lovely :)

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Myer...it can be arranged! :)

[Callie de Wet]

Very well done Morkel, love the sky on the WA. Really a gorgeous sunrise

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Callie!

[Elmar Venter]

Morkel, I like this a lot. Its after viewing this picture that I have decided I have to plan my first visit to Kgalagadi. Do you offer HDR lessons?

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Elmar...you won't regret it...but be careful - it's addictive...we're going back in June already!! :)

I'm not thinking of offering lessons just yet - got a lot to learn still, but thanks for the compliment!