All Aboard

[Dave Woeller]

This is a followup to my recent Tuckahoe post. Once again it was a 7 shot hdr shot in manual with a check of the histogram for each shot. I think I'd really like to try converting this one to B&W. Processed with Photomatix pro. Looking forward to some more great thoughts.

[denise ippolito]

Dave, I like the way you framed this and you did a great job with the processing. The deeper red color of the train really goes with the look. I might evict the small weed in the LLC since it's cut off but it really isn't a big deal to leave it. Nice job!!

[Indranil Sircar]

Nice composition, Dave. I like the perspective with watch your step include the tracks! I too agree with Denise on the choice of color for the train goes well with this image. Well processed!

[Paul Lagasi]

I agree with above comments, nice composition and I love the HDR effect....TFS

[Kerry Perkins]

Dave, fantastic color and details. I just love the color palette. I would love to see more sharpness in this one, I think it would add to the dramatic feel.

I'm really interested in your technique. When you checked the histogram, were you looking to move the peak (median luminance value) from left to right until you had covered the whole tonal range?

[Dave Woeller]

Thank you everyone for your time and thoughts. Kerry, there was no sharpening applied in PP. Maybe I could tweak that. As far as the shooting technique, I'm a bit different than some others. In manual, my first shot is a metered shot. Since that metered shot does not always end up as the the center of the series, I start underexposing at 1 stop intervals and check the histograms right side. I shoot at the 1 stop intervals until the right side of the histogram is clear of the edge (not touching , or barely touching). I then move to +1 stop above the metered reading and repeat the process checking the left side of the histogram till its clear of the left edge. As I said, I have found that the metered reading is not always the center of the series. Don't know if this is the best method, but if you have the time it works pretty well. Hope that is clear enough. My senior mind sometimes fogs on me Thanks again to everyone for the thoughts and kind words.

[Kerry Perkins]

Dave, thanks for sharing that, it makes complete sense. I'm going to have to give it a try!

[Judy Howle]

I agree with the others on the lovely color palette and nice composition. I agree that it could benefit from sharpening and maybe add a little black in Levels or Curves to up the contrast a bit. I find the images straight from Photomatix and HDR Efex Pro are a little washed out with not enough black. Just my opinion.

[Dave Woeller]

Thanks Judy, I'll give it some tweaks, I had read that one Photographer always does a curves adjustment after processing in Photomatix to increase contrast. I'll have to look into that.

[Brendan Dozier]

Dave, I love how you composed this. The HDR effect and colors look great - very pleasing textures and tones for the eye to enjoy! Well done!