Dark City #27, HDR

After some time away, I've returned to collecting candidate images for my Dark City series.  This picture started with three hand held 1-stop brackets processed in Nik HDR Efex.

This monochrome come from a virtual copy of the top picture with a blue/sepia split tone applied in Lightroom 3.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4 D IF
Exposure:	ISO 100, 52mm @f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Daylight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Clayton, Missouri
Dates:	Capture - September 11, 2011, Processed - September 11, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3, Nik HDR Efex, Photoshop CS5

Untitled detail In Dark City Variations

This detail of "Untitled" by Keith Haring in City Garden was taken from a vantage point just a few feet away from my last post, "Arch and Old Courthouse In Dark City".  The faint detail in he middle is the top of the Old Courthouse.  Pete Turner used to pump up the saturation and contrast of his pictures by making multiple generations of Kodachrome dupes.  I did the same thing here using Nik Color Efex Pro to convert the picture to Kodachome 64 Professional twice.

The Tintype preset for Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 uses a sharp blue filter to emulate the vintage process.  The result here feels very Zen-like to me.

This is the first generation Kodachrome conversion and the basis for all the monochrome conversions.

Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 has a vintage preset called Yellow 2 that I've uses a few times now.  I like the dingy yet glowing feel it can impart.

This cyanotype conversion has the longest tonal scale of any of the processes I used.

Finally, this partial solarization made in Nik Color Efex Pro was split toned sepia with blue shadows in Lightroom 3.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - April 9, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Arch and Old Courthouse in Dark City

This starting picture of the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse, as seen from City Garden, is the result of an autochrome processing experiment.  I started by introducing noise with Nik RAW sharpener, then ran the file though Nik HDR Efex to emphasize the grain and map tones using my "Dark City" preset.

To add to the impressionistic effect, I added a Glamor Glow in Nik Color Efex Pro.  I think it now have a Steam Punk Autochrome.

The partial reversal was made using the solarization tool in Nik Color Efex Pro, followed by a blue/sepia split tone in Lightroom 3.

A cyanotype, from Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 makes a good day for night conversion.

Photoframe Free has a number of hand coated emulsion effects.  If finally realized that you can resize them!

To finish, a gum bichromate made with Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - April 8, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Dark City: Door of Return

 The "Door of Return" by Kan Yasuda has entered Dark City, by way of Nik HDR Efex, Vivenza and Nik Color Efex Pro.

Monochrome courtesy Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 using the Yellow 1 preset and selective color tool.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - April 6, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Urban Abstract #5 HDR Variations

This solarized version floated to the top because it is the strongest graphically.  The single image HDR tone mapped image below fed Nik Color Efex Pro for the conversion, then Lightroom 3 supplied the blue/sepia split tone effect.

Nik HDR Efex produced this single image tone maped version.  I think what happened with the color splashing around in the out of focus areas is quite interesting.

Out of curiosity, I tried a color isolate red filter.  It looks a little like a Dexter promo.

The monochrome from Nik Silver Efex Pro is very clean.  

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF
Exposure:	ISO 200, 85mm @ f/4.5 @ 1/500s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 14, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Neo-Classical in Modern Variations

The idea of the neo-classical building "trapped" inside the modern building was impetus behind the shutter click.  My main concern was to make it read properly and be a stylistic fit with other pictures from City Garden.  I don't know which of these variations I prefer yet, so please comment.  Starting with a naturalistic single image tone mapping in Nik HDR Efex helped bring out structure and color, I added some "CSI Miami" glow to make it look less harsh.

  The naturalistic, minimal processing here is pleasant, but lacks the acid punch.

This is the single image tone mapped image straight out of Nik HDR Efex.

Another approach to soften the HDR grunge is to run the shot through the Polaroid Transfer preset in Nik Color Efex Pro.

This monochrome attempt made in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a green filter and blue/sepia split tone doesn't "read" as well as the color because the reflection and stone tones are too close.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED "Leni Lens"
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 23, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Eros Bendato Redux - HDR Series

This version of Eros Bendato was taken from the same angle as the last post, but is a stitched panorama from three vertical slices of the statue.  I ran the the resulting single 24 mega-pixel through a landscape preset I made for Nik HDR Efex, then added a CSI Miami glow using Nik Color Efex Pro.

Nik Silver Efex Pro is responsible for the monochrome conversion with sepia/blue split tone.

This Polaroid Transfer version made in Nik Color Efex Pro might be my favorite of this series.

The solarized version, also from Nik Color Efex Pro, gets its split tone from Lightroom 3.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 15, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Eros Bendato, City Garden - HDR Series

This huge bronze head by Igor Mitoraj is a real show stopper.  This single image tone mapped HDR was created in Nik HDR Efex using the Turquoise Night preset as a starting point.  I used Photoshop to take out a couple of cars and parking meters and actually toned down some colors in Lightroom.

Monochrome created in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a green filter and sepia/blue split tone.

The solarized version comes from Nik Color Efex Pro.  I like this effect - definitely creepy.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 15, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

AT&T Building - HDR Series

So I'm having a blast turning the view from Kiener Plaza into my own "Dark City" world with single image tone mapping.  Next up is the AT&T building, processed in Nik HDR Efex using the "Turquoise Night" preset as a starting point.  Levels and curves were adjusted in Photoshop CS5 and lens correction was applied.  Finally, I added the "CSI Miami" glow in Nik Color Efex Pro.    

The monochrome conversion is courtesy Nik Silver Efex Pro, using a red filter and sepia/blue split tone.

I'm trying a solarized version of each picture in the series.  This is my least favorite of the three, perhaps because the clouds are too harsh.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF
Exposure:	ISO 200, 35mm @ f/4.5 @ 1/1600s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Kiener Plaza, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 14, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Reflections in HDR Redux - Fourth Image in the Trilogy

I'd like to give a big thank you to my pals who took the time to critique my post from yesterday.  Here is, I think, my final version of this shot,  influenced primarily by Ben, Ray and Susan.  Though not unanimous, the solarized version go eight nods, and it was my favorite.  I started over from the base color HDR shot.  It took several extra steps get rid of the white framing, an artifact of the solarization process, that Ray and others found distracting.  Further darkening the sky was a suggestion from Susan.  I worked harder than usual on the blue/sepia split tone.      

Here is the unvarnished RAW file.  So long, and thank you for all the fish!

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/320s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Kiener Plaza, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 10, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Reflections in HDR - Three Variations

When was looking in the viewfinder at this scene, I was worried about bringing together the deep blue sky in the reflection and the balded sky behind the building.  Then I decided not to worry and just take the picture.  A light touch on the tone mapping with the single image in Nik HDR Efex pulled out some texture in the reflected buildings and pulled out some clouds on the left.  The black spec on the lower left cloud is a bird.

The monochrome conversion is courtesy Nik Silver Efex Pro, using a green filter and sepia/blue split toner.

The solarized version is also from Nik Silver Efex Pro, using a custom preset I created originally for statues.  This might be my favorite because it looks so ghostly.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/320s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Kiener Plaza, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 10, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Hole with Spider Web

With Ralph Gibson much in mind as I took the shot and I was debating whether to remove the spider web.  It grew on my as I worked, so the spider stars in final edit.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF
Exposure:	ISO 200, 70mm @ f/6.7 @ 1/180s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Bright Sunlight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Frontier Park, St. Charles, Missouri GPS
Dates:	Capture - June 28, 2009, Processed - December 23, 2010
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Grid #16a-b, HDR Polaroid Transfer

This shot went through a number of processing steps.  First, the RAW file was cropped to 11x14 proportion, straighted and vertical lines made parallel in Lightroom 3.  Next, the image got single file HDR tone mapping in Nik HDR Efex.  The HDR image got minor levels and curves adjustments in Photoshop CS5.  Contrast and structure got a boost in Nik Vivenza and finally, processed as a Polaroid Transfer in Nik Color Efex Pro.

The monochrome conversion came from the precursor to the Polaroid transfer, processed in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a sharp green filter.  The sepia/blue split tone added in Lightroom 3.

Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED ("Leni Lens")
Exposure: ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/200s
Support: Handheld
Lighting: North Skylight
Location: Clayton, MO
Dates: Capture - September 11, 2010, Processed - December 3, 2010
Processing: RAW in Lightroom 3 and Nik Silver Efex Pro

Utility Pole in HDR - As good as Kodachrome?

I have a photographer pal who is a forever film man.  For him, film has qualities that cannot be equaled, let alone beat, by digital capture.  For my part, I have gone completely over to the digital dark side.  My favorite emulsions and papers are gone forever, so for me, there is no looking back.  Still, it is fun to debate the relative merits of film and digital.  I must concede to my friend that there are desirable intangibles inherent to film that requires considerable extra effort to match with digital.

This picture of one of my favorite subjects, the ubiquitous utility pole, has the detail and color saturation that reminds me of the most recent casualty of the digital juggernaut, Kodachrome, the color film gold standard since 1935.  How close is it?  I thought it was time again to take stock.

First, let's talk resolution.  I think it is generally accepted that a good 35mm Kodachrome 25 shot has the equivalent of 20 mega-pixels.  This picture is an HDR shot made up of three layered 12 mega-pixel DSLR captures.  It is not truly the equivalent of a 36 mega-pixel capture, but it gets pretty close.  Flagship DSLRs are capable of exceeding Kodachrome without HDR technique, so digital wins this round.
So how about color?  Kodachrome was, of course, analog, so comparison with a DSLR's discrete color capability is difficult.  For the sake of comparison, lets say projected Kodachrome slide has roughly a 24-bit color range, which matches the capability of the human eye to discern color.  The pro DSLRs capture 14-bit color and interpolates 16-bit.  HDR technique combines RAW images to 32-bit, then flattens the final output to 16-bit.  The digital clipping and interpolation falls short of film.  However, if we compare a pro quality inkjet print to a type-R print, the color gamut and contrast range of the ink jet wins.
So, in the end, I miss the idea of Kodachrome, but the truth is that I haven't shot a roll for more than 17 years.

Camera: Nikon D700 

Lens: Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G 

Exposure: ISO 200, three brackets around f/11 @ 1/200s, tripod, RAW

Lighting: Daylight  

Location: Grand Center Artist Loft Studios GPS

Processing: Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS5 HDR Pro

Crane at SLAM

This crane looms large over the St. Louis Art Museum expansion construction.  Progress so far - a big hole.

This version is a strong orange filter with a yellow/sepia split tone.

Camera: Nikon D700 

Lens: AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f2.8 D

Exposure: ISO 200, f/11 @ 1/250s, handheld

Lighting: Daylight 

Location: Grand Center Artist Loft Studios GPS

Processing: Lightroom 3, Nik Tools

Door Bell, HDR, Solarized #1

After driving past this alley detail for more than a year, I found the time to shoot it.  It is a doorbell almost covered with ivy next to a delivery door.  This is a solarized HDR image.

The door bell is more apparent without solarization.

The flesh colored brick is too disturbing even for me.  Somebody call David Cronenberg - his wall crawled away.

Camera: Nikon D700 

Lens: AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED 

Exposure: ISO 200, three brackets around f/11 @ 1/20s, tripod, RAW

Lighting: Skylight shade  

Location: Grand Center Alley GPS

Processing: Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS5 HDR Pro and Nik Color Efex Pro, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Jefferson Printing Co, HDR

This sign faces the parking lot of the Grand Center Artist Lofts.  I admire the type.  In this case, I'm not sure the HDR adds much in this particular shot.  The monochrome looks best to me.  

The color version almost looks like a yellow/sepia split tone, but is less graphic than the monochrome.

Camera: Nikon D700 

Lens: AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED 

Exposure: ISO 200, three brackets around f/11 @ 1/60s, tripod, RAW

Lighting: Daylight  

Location: Grand Center Artist Lofts GPS 

Processing: Lightroom 3, Photoshop HDR Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro, Nik Silver Efex Pro