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Walter Peak Station



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This shot was taken in Queenstown, New Zealand, a place not to miss for anyone traveling to our wonderful country. This was one of my first attempts at HDR phot...
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This shot was taken in Queenstown, New Zealand, a place not to miss for anyone traveling to our wonderful country. This was one of my first attempts at HDR photography. Thanks to Trey Ratcliff with all his great tips and tutorials on his travel blog.
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Views

6055

Likes

Awards

Legendary Award
Member Selection Award
Olympus camera & more!
Judge Favorite
Honorable Mention in HDR Photo Contest
  View more
Absolute Masterpiece
larryollivier BjornSamuelsson Imis photoflea pietnel pranaypictures thyung +98
Peer Award
ClaritaBethCanlasMiller RDDIIPhotography ViniciosCoutoDaSilva davidjprosser ileanaandreagmezgavinoser NancyFlemingPhotography chiphendershot +32
Superb Composition
RoyBruno davesciberras Karl-Heinz pieterdebruin kmitschke kglaspie60 SamuelGraley +31
Jaw Dropping
ChelseyReiche darrentan sage112000 danielrosser sarahvrdoljak Ritajane steveclayton +15
Top Choice
lianeadele david_balzan_910 mdunlap1122 alireza-neshati glmeyers chrisalley pedrosilvestre +12
Outstanding Creativity
DanielArrellanes crickettholtsclaw suerogers Mij megerickson mashuda debcoimages +3
Exceptional Contrast
chrisgiordano pierregerber josiem SusanB wwinter86 Eloisa_Jayne Meggerz +2
Superior Skill
CraigWest valzart AnthonyQuirke disneymamom Wizzard MissSandy rhonjeff +1
All Star
brittneyhebbourn terrieneudorf carolyn_anderson_860 maureenw19 micbouc
Magnificent Capture
KarlsGalaxy snowdon
Genius
aprilrena

Top Ranks

All About Water Photo ContestTop 10 rank
World Photography Day Photo ContestTop 10 rank
World Photography Day Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
World Photography Day Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Water Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank
Water Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank week 1
Our Natural World Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Worldscapes Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Worldscapes Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 2
Amazing Sceneries Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Amazing Sceneries Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
ViewBugs Best Nature Photo ContestTop 10 rank
ViewBugs Best Nature Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
ViewBugs Best Nature Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1

Categories


194 Comments | Report
tsambaproductions
 
tsambaproductions July 27, 2012
nice
Casper
 
Casper July 27, 2012
Super nice capture & edit, wow, fav & award
Willsy
Willsy July 27, 2012
Thanks very much for your feedback, it's much appreciated Casper =)
cilla8 Platinum
 
cilla8 July 27, 2012
Magnificent Capture!!!!!!
iceman2
 
iceman2 July 27, 2012
Beautiful capture! Welcome toVB.
Venny
 
Venny July 27, 2012
Welcome to VB!!!
PSJPhotography
 
PSJPhotography July 27, 2012
Very nice, welcome to VB!
rkperry215
 
rkperry215 July 27, 2012
Beautiful shot! Welcome to VB!
avguzzi Premium
 
avguzzi July 27, 2012
beautiful!
Willsy
 
Willsy July 29, 2012
Thank you everyone for your feedback and praise, it is much appreciated =)
santosh532
 
santosh532 July 29, 2012
jaw dropping :D never knew HDR could be this amazing !!
Willsy
Willsy July 29, 2012
Thank you Santosh! Yea unfortunately HDR's are often stereotyped as ghastly over saturated images with lots of ghosting due to large amounts of poorly executed HDR's being uploaded to so many websites. What really makes a good HDR is a bit of tender love and care in Photoshop, it makes all the difference.
ArtGirl
 
ArtGirl July 31, 2012
Superb !!!
Marian
 
Marian August 15, 2012
Amazing shot!!!
djensen
 
djensen August 22, 2012
Just beautiful....congrats!
PSJPhotography
 
PSJPhotography August 22, 2012
Lovely shot, congrats!
tsambaproductions
 
tsambaproductions August 22, 2012
congrats
KRPoole
 
KRPoole August 22, 2012
Just lovely! Congrats!
SarahKeates
 
SarahKeates August 22, 2012
Stunning capture! Congrats!
ShawnAHodder
 
ShawnAHodder August 22, 2012
Great capture HDR makes it pop Congrats
kayacloud
 
kayacloud August 22, 2012
breathtaking !!!
Willsy
 
Willsy August 22, 2012
Wow thank you Viewbug I'm honored to have received this accolade, and I thank all of you very much for your praise and feedback.
Amiqdadi
 
Amiqdadi August 22, 2012
congrats....very nice
disneymamom PRO+
 
disneymamom August 23, 2012
congrats on honorablemention!
edazz
 
edazz August 23, 2012
Outstanding Capture, great lines, vivid color, contrast, composition,
detail, clarity, creativity, HDR edit, lighting, well done! Awarded for Absolute Masterpiece and favorite!

If you like photographing cars, trucks or motorcycles, you are invited to join the
"Motor Heads" group....http://www.viewbug.com/photo-communities/motor-heads

If you like photographing boats, boating or beaches, you are invited to join the "Boats and Beaches" group....
http://www.viewbug.com/project/boats-and-beaches. Click on "community" tab, "projects " tab, and paste
the group name in the search box.

I would be honored if you would visit my View Bug gallery and my personal website at www.photo-pixart.com
Marian
 
Marian August 23, 2012
Incredible! Congrats!!
bobbynall
 
bobbynall August 23, 2012
AWesome !!!!!!
Jonocon
 
Jonocon August 23, 2012
Lovely Capture. Congrats
sktaylor
 
sktaylor August 23, 2012
Congrats, this is beautiful!
Duff
 
Duff August 23, 2012
WOW! Awesome use of HDR! Works Beautifully Here! Congratulations on Your Well Deserved Honorable Mention!!!
chipbhi
 
chipbhi August 23, 2012
Wow!
cilla8 Platinum
 
cilla8 August 23, 2012
Congrats on Honorable Mention....it truly is a gorgeous capture!!!
glburghart
 
glburghart August 23, 2012
Beautiful scenic view. congratulations....
lbernardin
 
lbernardin August 26, 2012
Congratulations! Well-deserved.
annthedane
 
annthedane August 26, 2012
Congratulations! Well deserved, this is a stunning capture. Beautiful light and depth of field! Great colors too!
desertpagan
 
desertpagan August 26, 2012
A stunning image! Very nice! Congrats!!
mdriley00 Platinum
 
mdriley00 August 29, 2012
Very pretty. Congratulations!
laurenpeelerbrice
 
laurenpeelerbrice August 30, 2012
Magnificent use of HDR. IMO you should have won.
Willsy
Willsy August 31, 2012
Wow! Thank you very much for your uplifting comment, I'm honored to have received honorable mention but the real reward is receiving the feedback and praise such as yours and everyone else's here :) Thank you very much Lauren!
Willsy
 
Willsy August 31, 2012
Again, Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments! They all mean so much!
Casper
 
Casper September 03, 2012
Congrats with your mention, I am not surprised!
MKJPhotography
 
MKJPhotography September 04, 2012
Congrats! Wonderful capture!
GJUNIORPHOTOGRAPHY
 
GJUNIORPHOTOGRAPHY September 13, 2012
fantastico.
Serendipity1
 
Serendipity1 September 13, 2012
Beautiful!
ornani
 
ornani September 17, 2012
lovely
Carli
 
Carli September 19, 2012
nice shot, congrats :D
carolcardillo PRO+
 
carolcardillo September 27, 2012
Stunning!
mturnau PRO
 
mturnau November 03, 2012
very dramatic - nice
johnpa53
 
johnpa53 November 24, 2012
beautiful image, voted
hallcr
 
hallcr November 29, 2012
This is a great shot! Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing.
lindseysilva
 
lindseysilva November 29, 2012
The lighting, great HDR work!
Wayne_Sr PRO+
 
Wayne_Sr November 29, 2012
Well done! Congrats!
BrunoCote
 
BrunoCote January 03, 2013
Simply Stunning
rmr731 Platinum
 
rmr731 January 04, 2013
Awesome capture! Congrats!
redwriter Platinum
 
redwriter January 04, 2013
Beautiful work. Congrats on your award. - Jake
tsambaproductions
 
tsambaproductions January 05, 2013
congrats again
debzee
 
debzee January 05, 2013
beautiful, congrats
bobbynall
 
bobbynall January 05, 2013
Nice shot
MariposaRosa
 
MariposaRosa January 05, 2013
Beautiful capture! Love the lighting and composition!
VivienneB
 
VivienneB January 05, 2013
I was from a long time I havent seen a shot like this. it's SUPER!
WHERE IS IT?
joebaxter
 
joebaxter January 05, 2013
AMAZING Scene and fantastic lighting.
jpblitz
 
jpblitz January 05, 2013
This one is pretty special!
dickysukarno
 
dickysukarno January 07, 2013
my god,. this image is amazing
michaelbarnardo
 
michaelbarnardo January 07, 2013
Nice work
NinaKling
 
NinaKling January 07, 2013
wow - awesome shot!
michaeldonovan
 
michaeldonovan January 08, 2013
What a perfect shot.
Carli
 
Carli January 09, 2013
nice shot! congrats :D
Bozzzzz
 
Bozzzzz January 12, 2013
Low light + soft colors = wonderful composition!
Tim_Haynes
 
Tim_Haynes January 15, 2013
Very nice work
Thimbee
 
Thimbee January 15, 2013
Just beautiful. Congrats on your awards!
drakkardarkblade
 
drakkardarkblade January 22, 2013
Awesome capture, congrats on award. Check out my pictures if you get a chance: http://www.viewbug.com/drakkardarkblade
estercastillo08
 
estercastillo08 January 23, 2013
Congrats on your awards ! Very nice !
mikeronnebeck Premium
 
mikeronnebeck January 28, 2013
Awesome pic! Love the subtle use of HDR
senka
 
senka February 23, 2013
beautiful photography and in my favorites now
mistyvkirsch
 
mistyvkirsch February 28, 2013
Stunning View!!
davidgerhartz
 
davidgerhartz March 02, 2013
Great shot .
FMueller
 
FMueller March 02, 2013
Awesome shot!
Inmar
 
Inmar March 22, 2013
Great shot, beautiful scenery, congrats on awards, well deserved
mstahberg
 
mstahberg April 02, 2013
Very nice! :)
snowdon PRO
 
snowdon April 11, 2013
Absolutely exceptional image, so dramatic. Congratulations on your success in competitions
Hari_Subagio
 
Hari_Subagio April 19, 2013
Well done . great image
sniderjohn
 
sniderjohn May 06, 2013
just woww
SahibaKaur
 
SahibaKaur May 06, 2013
Amazing!!
cmorisset PRO+
 
cmorisset May 06, 2013
Wow! jaw dropping for sure. Bravo!
RihoR
 
RihoR May 06, 2013
So Amazing! Is this captured with Canon 550D?
robyn_king_52
 
robyn_king_52 May 07, 2013
beautifully done:))
NaturesEarth
 
NaturesEarth May 18, 2013
Lovely Shot!
carlotaandrade
 
carlotaandrade May 20, 2013
Awesome!
mylene_ralph
 
mylene_ralph July 30, 2013
Stunning shot.
herman-anwar
 
herman-anwar July 31, 2013
amazing landscape, love your editing...dramatic...
MissSandy PRO+
 
MissSandy July 31, 2013
Just stunning! ?
VictoriaKCampbell
 
VictoriaKCampbell July 31, 2013
Love this! New Zealand is on my bucket list of places to visit and explore! Beautiful shot. :)
aprilrena
 
aprilrena July 31, 2013
Absolutely Stunning!! Viewbug Judges will have such a hard time judging this contest for sure. I love the HDR. The perfect and quite magical lighting falling over the truly majestic mountains. The ominous clouds hovering.... even the valley and river below. Just gorgeous. The lighting on the trees in the front really adds to the photo. Good luck in the contest! I will not be surprised if you win. :)
Willsy
Willsy August 22, 2013
Thank you very much! Sorry about my delayed response I have been away for a few weeks. You're good at predicting the future because I won! Was a big surprise! I really appreciate your kind comments and feedback it means a lot =D. I'm a big fan of HDR myself, this was one of those views only made possible by being in the right place at the right time and i'm glad I was. Cheers. Mark
dalepausinga PRO+
 
dalepausinga August 01, 2013
I think April said it all
Willsy
Willsy August 22, 2013
Thank you very much! Aprils comment really was incredibly kind and detailed, a very passionate photographer indeed and not to mention very telanted herself. You also have some lovely work, I really appreciate your kind words it means a lot =D. Cheers. Mark
mylene_ralph
 
mylene_ralph August 01, 2013
Beautiful.
Celtic
 
Celtic August 05, 2013
absolutely great shot!!
GBloniarz
 
GBloniarz August 19, 2013
HARDY CONGRATULATIONS ... SO WELL DESERVED!
mountainman70
 
mountainman70 August 19, 2013
congratulations on this win - there was some very stiff competition - excellent work
NikolajFloyd
 
NikolajFloyd August 19, 2013
THAT...Is freaking awesome!
Willsy
Willsy August 22, 2013
And your response.... IS FREAKING AWESOME!!! haha thanks mate, I appreciate your feedback it means a lot =D
jeffreygreenwood
 
jeffreygreenwood August 19, 2013
Wonderful photo and deserved contest winner. Great .
snowdon PRO
 
snowdon August 19, 2013
Congratulations on your win in 500 Mountains competition.
Grevandi
 
Grevandi August 19, 2013
very nice work...congratulations..
Deborah
 
Deborah August 19, 2013
Congratulations, great shot!
danikelii
 
danikelii August 19, 2013
Congratulations!
jijieparan-forsythe
 
jijieparan-forsythe August 19, 2013
wow!!! awesome work!
WolfEyesPhotography
 
WolfEyesPhotography August 19, 2013
Pure heaven! Congratulations!
DiabloNino
 
DiabloNino August 19, 2013
Nailed it!
Wizzard PRO+
 
Wizzard August 19, 2013
Amazing!
jrhalphen
 
jrhalphen August 19, 2013
Congratulations! You really captured a great shot. We have been to Queenstown and is truly a beautiful place--New Zealand not to be missed.
meshersmith
 
meshersmith August 19, 2013
Master shot, congrats. on your win!!
22Cara
 
22Cara August 19, 2013
Congrats on winning!
mclaybaugh PRO+
 
mclaybaugh August 19, 2013
congrats.
AndreaE
 
AndreaE August 19, 2013
Fantastic shot! cONGRAts on your win!
Chelle-s PRO
 
Chelle-s August 19, 2013
That is one GORGEOUS shot! Wish I'd been the one who took this. Very well done!
carlotaandrade
 
carlotaandrade August 19, 2013
Superb! O.O
MaryAnne306 PRO+
 
MaryAnne306 August 19, 2013
Beautiful shot! Congratulations on your win. Well deserved.
pknight00
 
pknight00 August 19, 2013
Congratulations! Very well deserved win. This image has a dream-like quality. Perfection.
rmr731 Platinum
 
rmr731 August 19, 2013
Stunning image! Congrats on your win!
MOLLYSP
 
MOLLYSP August 19, 2013
Congratulations on this super photo.
carolyn_anderson_860
 
carolyn_anderson_860 August 19, 2013
Awesome capture, congrat's on your win!!!!
Jeanne713
 
Jeanne713 August 19, 2013
Beautiful shot, it almost looks like an oil painting. Congrats!!
Thimbee
 
Thimbee August 19, 2013
Beautifully done! Congrats
jvillainc Platinum
 
jvillainc August 19, 2013
Congratulations on your Walter Peak Station - I truly believe you were born to photograph! You have some awesome photos!
glennhart
 
glennhart August 19, 2013
wonderful shot, well done...
WyoGalPhotography Platinum
 
WyoGalPhotography August 19, 2013
Beautiful photo!! Congrats!!
Rubenkings
 
Rubenkings August 19, 2013
Very very nice picture !!
sharonrankin
 
sharonrankin August 19, 2013
Extremely beautiful!!
beetlestone
 
beetlestone August 19, 2013
Congrats! Fantastic shot!
Storm-Sox
 
Storm-Sox August 19, 2013
Congrats on a wonderful Picture!
RoadKing1985
 
RoadKing1985 August 19, 2013
A-Mazing shot! Nice "Everything Composition" Capture! Thanks to YOU for sharing! Excellenteey!
Ising4Him
 
Ising4Him August 20, 2013
Glorious sight! So tranquil. God inspired!
disneymamom PRO+
 
disneymamom August 20, 2013
wow.. congrats on win!
parthgupta
 
parthgupta August 20, 2013
This photo definitely deserved to win.
Hats off mate!
raegi
 
raegi August 20, 2013
wonderful.. Congrats!!
francoissteque Platinum
 
francoissteque August 20, 2013
Congratulations, very nice composition
WayneRoss
 
WayneRoss August 20, 2013
This shot has just about everything!
Beautiful light!
Congrats!
maureenw19
 
maureenw19 August 20, 2013
congratulations beautiful shot
believeit2receiveit
 
believeit2receiveit August 20, 2013
Congratulations on your win! Well deserved!
Farah
 
Farah August 20, 2013
one of the bestest pics on viewbug! so beautiful!
gopalakrishnan
 
gopalakrishnan August 20, 2013
fantastic shot
SarahKeates
 
SarahKeates August 20, 2013
Stunning shot! Congrats!
Kielar
 
Kielar August 20, 2013
Very romantic image. exellent
shimazakiisamu
 
shimazakiisamu August 20, 2013
Really so wonderful!
anneschlueter PRO+
 
anneschlueter August 20, 2013
congratulations!
nihilistmia
 
nihilistmia August 20, 2013
stunning shot congrats on the win
michaelow
 
michaelow August 20, 2013
Great shot...congratulations!
AnthonyQuirke
 
AnthonyQuirke August 20, 2013
Wow fantasttic capture and nice HRD edit, congrats:-)
phspanky
 
phspanky August 20, 2013
Congratulations.
pablocuesta
 
pablocuesta August 20, 2013
Waooooooo great shot..perfect lighting...fantastic
anitania PRO+
 
anitania August 20, 2013
grats on winning
steveclayton
 
steveclayton August 20, 2013
Really nice shot, congrats on your win.
DaraDPhotography
 
DaraDPhotography August 20, 2013
Beautiful work. Congratulations on your win! Well deserved.
Kraay
 
Kraay August 20, 2013
Gorgeous shot! Congratulations!!!
josiem Platinum
 
josiem August 20, 2013
just awesome!
wolflady
 
wolflady August 20, 2013
Super Shot!
wolflady
 
wolflady August 20, 2013
Congratulations!
bud82520
 
bud82520 August 20, 2013
Outstanding capture!
Tripod PRO+
 
Tripod August 20, 2013
Superb!!!!
brandonoldenburg
 
brandonoldenburg August 20, 2013
Great shot, congrats on the win!
debcoimages
 
debcoimages August 20, 2013
Stunning image and well deserved win. Congrats!
Vani2u
 
Vani2u August 20, 2013
Mindblowing........Superrrrrrr!!!!!!
nancyb926
 
nancyb926 August 20, 2013
perfection....well deserved win!
bigtrocks
 
bigtrocks August 20, 2013
Majestic! Congrats on the award!
VargaGabor
 
VargaGabor August 21, 2013
Great pic! Congrats!
louisloizidesmitsu
 
louisloizidesmitsu August 21, 2013
Congratulations !!!
lulu2
 
lulu2 August 21, 2013
that looks wonderful,congratulations xxx
pegnichols
 
pegnichols August 21, 2013
Congrats.
ArtQ
 
ArtQ August 21, 2013
Congrats!
lovelife PRO+
 
lovelife August 21, 2013
awesome, congrats :-)
AddieStrozier PRO
 
AddieStrozier August 21, 2013
Wow... just WOW!!
bsturgis2
 
bsturgis2 August 21, 2013
Beautiful scene!!Congrats....
davidgerhartz
 
davidgerhartz August 21, 2013
Great Shot
valzart
 
valzart August 22, 2013
Exquisite shot & congratz on your win :D
sarahvrdoljak PRO+
 
sarahvrdoljak August 22, 2013
WOW! Absolutely gorgeous!!! Congratulations!
Marian
 
Marian August 22, 2013
Congrats beautiful SHot!!!
aderandle
 
aderandle August 23, 2013
A great example of how to use HDR
aprilrena
 
aprilrena August 23, 2013
Congrats on your MUCH DESERVED award!! :D
aprilrena
 
aprilrena August 23, 2013
And... if this isn't for sale in your store... IT NEEDS TO BE!!!! :D
bluespanishsteel02
 
bluespanishsteel02 August 23, 2013
......this is what I'm talking about....what an image....!!! beautifully captured and well earned on your commendations......!!!.....Right On...!!!
mashuda
 
mashuda August 24, 2013
awsome...:)
leslie57
 
leslie57 August 25, 2013
outstanding
BarbaraT
 
BarbaraT August 25, 2013
Beautiful photograph. Congratulations.
jmatthies
 
jmatthies August 26, 2013
Gorgeous! Congrats!
Rolenz Platinum
 
Rolenz August 27, 2013
Well done, with a shot like that you deserve to win. Show us some more-with lessons, lol.
elfiedwards
 
elfiedwards August 27, 2013
congratulations!!!! great shot, nicely processed, super! EXCELLENT :-)) enjoy your new fame:-)
Saberofheart
 
Saberofheart August 27, 2013
Just WOW!
PhilipCarnevale
 
PhilipCarnevale August 29, 2013
Fantastic Image! Great job
mmeylema
 
mmeylema August 29, 2013
Fantastic shot.
pedrosilvestre
 
pedrosilvestre August 29, 2013
amazing, a peace of heaven
jjmcclear
 
jjmcclear August 29, 2013
gorgeous!
frederickwwalanda
 
frederickwwalanda August 31, 2013
Superb...
paulomarquesdasilva
 
paulomarquesdasilva September 03, 2013
Realidade com mita técnica!!!
paulomarquesdasilva
 
paulomarquesdasilva September 03, 2013
Realidade com muita técnica!!!
Willsy
Willsy September 07, 2013
Forgive me my portuguese is rather rusty but obrigado!? :)
Krishna_Kumar
 
Krishna_Kumar September 03, 2013
awesome shot! congrats
SheilaDraper
 
SheilaDraper September 11, 2013
Beautiful capture! Voted :)
RanSen
 
RanSen September 15, 2013
Extraordinary shot. Bravo
kimberlyspencer1000
 
kimberlyspencer1000 November 13, 2013
Speechless!
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo atop Bobs Peak in Queenstown facing south west. From this vantage point I'm just high enough to avoid capturing the bustling Skyline tourist park directly below me.

Time

The time this photo was taken was around 3:30pm in the afternoon.

Lighting

The lighting was very glum and melancholy. The sun was only falling on the valley floor and parts of the mountain ranges which beautifully accentuated the rolls and ribs in the landscape almost silhouetting every ridge against the valleys. The most striking feature was the sunlight passing through the clouds which made for a stunning display of wispy white clouds being contrasted against the ominous dark background.

Equipment

I used my Canon EOS 550D with 18-135mm IS zoom lens, I would normally use a tripod for these darker scenes but unfortunately I left it in my car 450 meters below me.

Inspiration

The dark sharp ridges cracking a divide between the mountains and the ominous sky was a major draw card but the sky was equally impressive like something straight out of a horror flick. There was so much angst spilling over the ridge-line to the West yet the sun soaked valley looked tranquil and inviting, it was an uncanny mix of emotions all represented in a single photo.

Editing

Yes much like I do with all of my photos I took 3 bracketed shots of the same scene each 1 stop apart. Each bracket allowed me to capture the details from all aspects of the scene and avoid loosing what would normally be over or under exposed areas. I later merged these exposures using Nik Tools HDR Efex Pro to produce a High Dynamic Range composite. I'm not a fan of raw untouched HDR's because they're usually full of ghosting, color imperfections and harsh details so I always take an HDR composite into Photoshop afterwards and manually merge the best parts of the HDR back with the original capture to achieve a realistic result more inline with what my eyes saw on the day. The nifty thing about HDR is it can often reveal subtle features that were otherwise unseen by the naked eye, in my case the moody looking mist in the valleys amidst the mountains became more apparent after post. This was a nice addition.

In my camera bag

I normally pack my bag according to my needs on the day but when I take everything my bag will contain my Canon EOS 550D and 18-135mm IS zoom lens, a bounce flash for those dimly lit areas, a remote shutter trigger for when I need the steadiest of shots, my very handy B-Grip belt, my tripod when/if I need it, a variable ND Grad filter and UV filter, lens cleaning kit, two spare batteries and a spare SD Card.

Feedback

I am a big fan of Trey Ratcliff's work, he has an excellent ability to execute stunningly realistic High Dynamic Range photos. His photos inspire me to aim for similar results and I hope this is reflected through my images. Getting back to the question though; my advice is HDR can be a powerful tool, but controversial too. If you're going to give HDR a try you will enjoy the results but like any skill it takes practice, don't publish your earliest work because it will look like a kindergarten scribble! This is what makes HDR a very controversial subject, many people post their raw HDR's on the web for the world to see. Unfortunately raw HDR's are often over cooked and full of flaws and imperfections which is what gives the process a bad name. Two methods that have really helped my HDR processing for the better are 1 - merging the best features of raw HDR's back with their original counterparts, this brings the realism back whilst keeping some of the pop achieved by the HDR. 2 - Walk away from your display! Play with your kids, your dog... or your wife ;-) just leave the screen for a bit. I find that processing an Image is like wearing cologne, you wear the same cologne too often and you loose the scent, too much of the same thing dampens the senses. If I've been editing too long I find that If I leave the photo i'm working on and return a little later I see aspects I don't like and want to change, It gives me a more refreshed view of the photo.

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