Sand Beach on the Meramec River, HDR Variations

For a project I'm tentatively calling "Dark City", I established a processing workflow.  So far I've been using it only on cityscapes, but I thought the muted jewel tone color transformation might work on some natural landscape.  This series is my first experiment.  The processing steps: single image tone mapping in Nik HDR Efex, levels adjustment in Photoshop CS5, tweak in Nik Vivenza, crop in Lightroom 3 and apply a small amount of glow in Nik Color Efex Pro.      

Monochrome with blue/sepia split tone created in Nik Silver Efex Pro.

Back in Nik Color Efex Pro to make a Polaroid Transfer, just for fun.  I like how it looks more painterly, sort of like a water color.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED "Leni Lens"
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/500s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Castlewood State Park 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

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

Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse - HDR Variations

Continuing with an exploration of views from Kiener Plaza and single image HDR tone mapping is the top of the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse.  Processed in Nik HDR Efex using the Turquoise Night preset added some grunge.

This sepia/blue split tone monochrome is the result of a red filter applied in Nik Silver Efex Pro.

And the now obligatory solarized version from Nik Color Efex Pro was split toned in Lightroom 3.

For comparison, here is the nice, clean starting image.  The clouds really don't show.  It is amazing to me how the HDR tone mapping revealed the clouds and texture of the stone.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/640s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Kiener Plaza, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 13, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Reflections in HDR #2 - Three Variations

For processing this shot of clouds reflections in the high rise glass, I took a slightly different HDR single image HDR approach, using Nik HDR Efex and the "Old Vanilla" preset that can be downloaded from the Nik Software site as a starting point.  Then I adjusted levels in Photoshop CS5 and added by "CSI Miami" glow in Nik Color Efex Pro.  The overall effect is like shooting the old Agfa 400 sheet film.

This "straight" monochrome was made in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a red filter with a blue/sepia split tone applied in Lightroom 3.

Finally, I used the color shot to make a solarized version in Nik Color Efex Pro.

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 12, 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

Lobster, St. Louis Science Center

Part of an exhibit of shelled ocean creatures at the St. Louis Science Center, this lobster was a stand out in terms of color and texture.

Monochrome was generated from the color picture above in Nik Silver Efex Pro with a preset I made to simulate late the look of a Leica I and 1920's 35mm film.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
Exposure:	ISO 1600, f/8.0 @ 080s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Mixed tungsten and fluorescent light
Support:	Handheld
Location:	St. Louis Science Center
Dates:	Capture - January 2, 2011, Processed - January 3, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Rotunda at the Old Courthouse

I set the camera on a tripod in the center of the rotunda about 18 inches from the floor and used the Nikon 14-24mm zoom at the widest setting.

Nikon D3, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @14mm, .4 seconds @ f/8, ISO 200.

Diamondback Rattlesnake

This guy calls a dimly lit display case at the St. Louis Science Center home.  Processing steps include Photoshop CS5 to adjust levels, Nik HDR Efex to improve tone mapping and Nik Color Efex Pro to apply the "CSI Miami" glow.  

I think the monochrome "reads" better.  Processed in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a weak green filter and strong coffee toner.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
Exposure:	ISO 1600, f/11 @ 010s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Mixed tungsten and fluorescent light
Support:	Handheld
Location:	St. Louis Science Center
Dates:	Capture - January 2, 2011, Processed - January 2, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Snow on fence

Waterfall, Japanese Garden

The sudden cold snap put me in the mood for Spring and I found this shot taken in the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Gardens last April that I had not processed.  Nik HDR Efex provided single image tone mapping and Photoshop CS5 improved the levels and curves.  

The monochrome was generated in Nik Silver Efex Pro using the N-1 Processing preset and strong coffee toner.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF
Exposure:	ISO 200, 48mm @ f/8.0 @ 1/640s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Bright Sunlight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Japanese Garden in Missouri Botanical Gardens
Dates:	Capture - April 17, 2010, Processed - January 1, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro