The Trigger Happy SQ

I’ve always wanted to try HDR ever since my brother introduced me to the world of Photomatix. I read about how to do it and thought I’d give it a try during our latest visit to Ilocos Sur.

These two pictures were taken near Playa De Oro Resort, Mindoro, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur during sunset.

High Dynamic Range Imaging is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range of exposures (the range of values between light and dark areas) than normal digital imaging techniques. The intention of HDRI is to accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes ranging from direct sunlight to shadows.

Well OK, that’s how Wikipedia explains it to us hehehe.

So on with the pictures…

This first shot is composed of three pictures merged together using Photomatix. My mistake was, I had my ISO at 1600 I think, meaning a lot of noise. So I had to remove the noise first before merging the three images. I used the Auto Bracketing function of my camera to come up with three pictures with different exposures.

This other shot was also made using three images with different exposures.

If you ask me, I prefer the first one because of the colors. But in flickr, they seemed to like this better. It was also 2nd place in Pinoy Kodakeros’ Outstanding PinoyKodakero Award last month, January.

I hope you guys try HDR out. It’s rewarding and you can create unique images :) Good luck!

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! May the year of the rat bring you all prosperity and wealth!

I made a DIY bokeh after reading it in the web. I read in Wikipedia that the number eight is lucky for the chinese. So I made an octagon bokeh.

I used my 50mm, had it in manual focus and shot away :)

Hi guys! It’s been a while since I updated this blog. I’ve got some things to say and I’m gonna say it now :)

First of all, many thanks for visiting and leaving your comments. Although I can’t answer them one by one, I just want you all to know that they are highly appreciated, be they good or bad comments. We all learn from each other and I’m thankful to those who gave me a piece of their minds hehehe.

Did I ever mention that photography is addicting? It is actually! So much more if your captures inspire or move someone. During the last holiday season, I got two emails from avid readers of my blog (that’s not updated too sorry). It was so heartwarming to be sent a personal message, saying how much one appreciates his/her surroundings because of pictures you’ve taken. I do hope you guys will still continue appreciating what nature offers. Nature is nurturing as they say.

With this, I leave you a quote and a self-portrait using a door knob :)

The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.- Marcel Proust