Editing high dynamic range images in PhotoLab 5

[mikemyers]

@Joanna

Or was it? It’s astounding how much of what we claim to see can be affected by our eyes’ and brain’s ability to selectively analyse what is present before us.

I agree. My “problem” is that I have flattened one minute of exposure (30 seconds worth) into a single frame.

Yes, the areas above the ground at the left was illuminated by a glowing gold-colored “cloud”, but that started to dissipate as soon as the rocket got above it. As the rocket kept climbing, the area directly behind it exposed my film/sensor to the bright light of the flame, which diminished as the rocket got higher, and further away from my camera.

It’s like the old railroad photos, where a fellow went to a railroad yard late at night, set up a camera with the shutter open, and walked around firing flash bulbs lighting up (painting with light) the various things he wanted in the photo. The end result was beautiful, with everything he wanted in the photo lit up well enough to see the details, but this was after a very long exposure as he selectively lit up the parts of the image .

So, should I have done what I did, capturing each part of the launch as it was burned into my sensor? Should I have taken a video, and combined all the frames selectively? I now realize that at no point did my photo represent what I saw at the same time. When the ground illumination, reflecting off the clouds, showed up, there was no rocket trail (yet), and by the time the rocket got up on the trail, the ground areas were dark again.

So, is there a better way for me to photograph this? Should the color balance be biased towards the beginning, or end, of the launch - or just left open to capture the launch as I did?

@Joanna

But did it really affect the entire sky from horizon to horizon, or was it truly more localised?

It started below the tree line, and lit up the whole scene from left to right. The camera image shows that correctly. The brightest part of the “gold explosion” was from ground level, well below the tree line. It started small, and got brighter and brighter. Once the rocket appeared, I concentrated on that, ignoring the bottom of the image. Again, what the camera captured matches what I saw, but over a full minute, and all the “bright” spots vanished slowly as the rocket got higher. A snapshot would not have shown the trail at all, just the rocket, with the flame behind it. But I think that would be a boring photo…

[mikemyers]

@Joanna

I have a friend in the club photo and she uses a 150-600mm zoom for bird photography and she finds she still has to crop, sometimes quite strongly, to get a reasonable subject to frame ratio.

That is a lovely photo that you posted - I guess I should concentrate on what I was able to capture, and not on my using just a small part of my sensor. I’ll post one of those images later today. I’ll also look around at other people’s photos of the rocket launch - I don’t want to copy them, but now I’m very curious about how the did it. Of course, people closer to the launch had a far better opportunity to show much more detail.

One example:
http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/crs20_streak1.jpg

Better yet, fast-forward to 30 minutes into this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGij0x0PA_Q

[mikemyers]

The story behind this photo, on my previous trip to visit my brother’s home, a hawk used to show up every few days. I’m back for this week, and the same hawk seems to have taken up residence here - we think it has a nest hidden next to the house. Some days it lets me get close enough to take photos, but other days, like today, the hawk just flies away.

I set up my M10 with my longest rangefinder lens, my 135mm Tele Elmar, and set the camera to “burst” mode, hoping to get a better shot of the hawk flying. It didn’t work out, as I needed a much higher shutter speed. I hesitate to even post the photo here, as it’s too small an image (thanks to cropping) to do much with. I do have “closer” shots, but I prefer this one. Tomorrow is my last chance to do better.

Conclusion - the Leica rangefinder camera, even with the Visoflex housing on top, is no match for a DSLR. Autofocus, big bright long focal length lenses, and a good burst mode work better. My brother got so close to the bird he almost filled the frame with the bird, thanks to using a 300mm lens. Anyway, for better or worse, here’s my image.

(Joanna, your friend’s photo looks like a more professional phot of a bird. I like my photo, but the image is too small…)

L1003792 | 2021-12-07.dng (27.9 MB)
L1003792 | 2021-12-07.dng.dop (13.5 KB)

[Joanna (Joanna Carter)]

@mikemyers

My “problem” is that I have flattened one minute of exposure (30 seconds worth) into a single frame.

Make that two minutes (according to the EXIF data)

@mikemyers

the areas above the ground at the left was illuminated by a glowing gold-colored “cloud”, but that started to dissipate as soon as the rocket got above it. As the rocket kept climbing, the area directly behind it exposed my film/sensor to the bright light of the flame, which diminished as the rocket got higher, and further away from my camera

And it was this “progression” that I was trying illustrate in my version. By making the whole shot orange I felt you had “overpowered” the whole image with the initial burst of light, which was then making the streak less “piercing” as it cut through the dark blue sky which would have been more evident as the rocket climbed away. But that’s my “artistic interpretation” or narrative.

@mikemyers

I now realize that at no point did my photo represent what I saw at the same time. When the ground illumination, reflecting off the clouds, showed up, there was no rocket trail (yet), and by the time the rocket got up on the trail, the ground areas were dark again.

And this is where I thought my idea of a narrative edit would help.

@mikemyers

I hesitate to even post the photo here, as it’s too small an image (thanks to cropping) to do much with.

Considering the size of what is left after cropping, it’s not too shabby but, as you know only too well, you needed a much longer lens and the Leica is just not the ideal camera for that kind of shot.

Here’s my version, where I have removed virtually all global adjustments and concentrated on separating the bird from the background using local sharpening on the bird and darkening on the highlights in the background…

DOP file with: untouched master, your version and my version.

L1003792 | 2021-12-07.dng.dop (48,5 Ko)

[KameraD (MacOS/15.3.1/MacMini M4/Nikon/PL8.3.0 Elite/NC 7.0.4/FP7.12/VP5.2)]

Indeed, the cropping is way to strong. You should check out Steve Perry on https://backcountrygallery.com if you want to go deeper into wildlife.
But I know those situation from my own experience. Especially the buzzards at my place, even with my 500mm, seldom gives me a chance for a close shot, because they free quickly.
The falcon, on the other hand, lets you approach almost at arm’s length. So more in the figurative sense

[mikemyers]

@Joanna

I feel it allows the viewer to see that the sky is normally fairly “blue/black” whilst making the contrast between that and the orange “explosion”, which appears more distanced than if the whole image has the “wrong” white balance.

In hind-sight, I agree. Each spot on the trajectory is what I saw at that moment, but by the time the rocket got up towards the middle of the path in my photo, the gold glow at the base had vanished. I hadn’t thought about it that way until late yesterday, and now it seems to have settled into my brain as making more sense. Unless people are looking at the very base of the path, my version is mis-leading, and yours represents much more of the two minute exposure.

You’re right about that too, as it took my M10 120 seconds to finalize the image, which is the same time it takes to capture the image. I forget exactly what the camera is doing during that two-minute “after exposure” capture, but I am pretty certain it is to minimize noise in the sensor.

@Joanna

Considering the size of what is left after cropping, it’s not too shabby but, as you know only too well, you needed a much longer lens and the Leica is just not the ideal camera for that kind of shot.

My only alternative was my M8, which wouldn’t do as well. I guess on my next visit, I bring my Nikon Df, or my 750 if I get it back in time. Today I photographed Sandhill Cranes, but I was able to fill the frame with a 50mm lens - I’ll find out how good those images are tomorrow. One thing at a time.

@Joanna

Here’s my version, where I have removed virtually all global adjustments and concentrated on separating the bird from the background using local sharpening on the bird and darkening on the highlights in the background…

Your version is much, much better than what I did in the camera. I consider your version “real”, not “fake”. I do have a 90mm f/2 Leica lens, which would have helped with the depth of field, but would have resulted in an even smaller image. Wow, and thank you again! I never even considered doing something like what you did. I’ll download your DOP file, study it, and try to replicate it on my own.

@KameraD

Indeed, the cropping is way to strong. You should check out Steve Perry on https://backcountrygallery.com if you want to go deeper into wildlife.

Not sure how to reply. What was really needed was a DSLR and a much longer focal length lens. There’s some kind of rule that “the best camera is the one you have with you”. The rest of my photo gear is back in Miami. I never expected to be taking photos like this. Hindsight is always 20:20. If the hawk gives me another chance, I might be able to do better tomorrow.

With the Sandhill Cranes, they allowed me to get within a few feet of them, using my M10 and my 50mm Voigtlander. I couldn’t move closer, as they would extend beyond the frame. I sat on the ground, and took probably 100 or 200 images, some of one crane, some of the other, and a few of both birds. Using the Visoflex housing on the M10 helped me focus precisely, but auto-focus on my Nikon would have been better and easier.

[Joanna (Joanna Carter)]

@mikemyers

It’s like the old railroad photos, where a fellow went to a railroad yard late at night, set up a camera with the shutter open, and walked around firing flash bulbs lighting up (painting with light) the various things he wanted in the photo. The end result was beautiful, with everything he wanted in the photo lit up well enough to see the details, but this was after a very long exposure as he selectively lit up the parts of the image .

You need to see the photography of one of our heroes, O Winston Link. He didn’t walk around firing off a flash, his flash lamps were hardly portable…

But he turned out some simply stunning photos…

They weren’t always “posed” in the true sense of the word but they were certainly arranged to coincide with the passing of one of those wonderful fire-breathing metal dragons…

I often imagine local cattle stampeding, half a county away, as they are awoken by these phenomenal flashes.

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@mikemyers

Each spot on the trajectory

I suppose this is key - you were not photographing the rocket (not at that distance anyway) but the trajectory.

Here’s an image I made 3 years ago…

… in camera, using the multi-exposure facility in the D810. Once again, not just showing the moon, but also, its trajectory.

[Joanna (Joanna Carter)]

I just had to add this image by Chris Walters to demonstrate what can be done nowadays, with available light.

This is the A1 Tornado, which is a brand new steam engine built by the A1 steam Locomotive Trust. It took 18 years from idea to completion. The team are now working on their next project, which is the P2 Prince of Wales. If this kind of thing excites you, you can read up on this project on their website

[mikemyers]

@Joanna

You need to see the photography of one of our heroes, O Winston Link. He didn’t walk around firing off a flash, his flash lamps were hardly portable…

Yes!! I forgot the name (I forget everything nowadays) but he is one of my heroes who did this the best!!! Setting up flashes ahead of time allowed him to capture a live, running, steam locomotive in the scene - but I’m sure the photos were “posed”, as in the couple in the car nearest to the camera in the drive-in movie. They had to be “posed”, as so much was happening at once.

I also enjoy that last available-light shot of the restored steam locomotive. I’ve taken many photos of old steam locomotives, running and resting, but most of the time they are stopped, and I need to find a good spot. If I’m lucky, they are running, and I can set up my camera ahead of time, even if hand-held, and get the shot I wanted. Haven’t done this in many, many years though. Florida doesn’t have much railroad photography to be captured, and I probably wouldn’t be allowed to stand on “railroad property”. In Michigan, this was no big deal. They trusted people back then.

Back to the rocket - in my mind, I was trying to capture the launch, and the trajectory. As a photograph, I enjoy your version more than mine, but it’s missing the giant explosion as the rocket first lifts off. That’s an important part of my photo, to me. I think I can still pay $$$ to get a much closer spot to shoot from, but I’m satisfied with my view, and being the middle of the night, after taking the photo, ten minutes later I’m in my bed. As a photograph, I think I enjoy your view more. If/when I get to do this again, I’ll remember.

I have a good friend, Mike Allen, who is a steam locomotive expert. He send me a link with some wonderful photos like the ones by O Winston Link. I’ll post that information here. Maybe I will contact Amtrak, and ask for permission to take photos of local trains with the engine, some at night. I have always enjoyed photographing trains, starting when I first moved to Michigan to go to college. Once I found the local railroad station and yard, I was a frequent visitor.

As you pointed out, my exposure turned out to be two minutes. For me, it was set the ISO to 400, set the aperture to f/8, and start/stop the exposure when the rocket first lit up the sky, until it had gone up and out of my frame. I was just guessing when it went beyond my frame, and added a little more time “just in case”. I used my 50 - could have used 35, but then everything would seem smaller. Since it was night, no lights, I aimed the camera “by guess”. I might try to do this somewhat like your moon shot - a series of exposure on one frame. I think my D750 can do that. That might have a unique look, like what you did with the moon…

I wish all the others who usually comment on these photos would do so more often. I think to a photographer, FEEDBACK (good or bad) is extremely helpful. I may or may not agree, and may or may not even say why, but it always gets filed away in my brain for “next time”. Speaking of which, I like your way of processing my hawk photo much more than what I did. I did get the effect I wanted, but you got the same effect on steroids!

[Joanna (Joanna Carter)]

@mikemyers

They had to be “posed”

Of course, it’s just that the engine wasn’t posed

@mikemyers

I also enjoy that last available-light shot of the restored steam locomotive

You misread my post. That engine hasn’t been restored, it was built from scratch!

@mikemyers

Florida doesn’t have much railroad photography to be captured

This is a problem here in France, which is why we are eagerly awaiting the lifting of restrictions to spend some time in the UK, where there are all sorts of steam railway sites where photographers are welcome.

@mikemyers

Since it was night, no lights, I aimed the camera “by guess”. I might try to do this somewhat like your moon shot - a series of exposure on one frame. I think my D750 can do that. That might have a unique look, like what you did with the moon…

With the moon shot, I spied out where the moon rose, and where it would leave the frame, the night before and set up the framing on certain “markers” (trees, etc) ready for the next night.

I also took a few experimental shots to determine the different exposure for the moon when it was veiled by the atmosphere as it started to rise and adjusted the exposure during the actual shoot, between each shot? I also measured the time taken for the position of the moon to be reasonably separated from its predecessor.

@mikemyers

I might try to do this somewhat like your moon shot - a series of exposure on one frame. I think my D750 can do that

Unfortunately, the D750 can only do a maximum of 3 shots on the same frame and, for the rocket launch, I’m not sure if, even with more shots, you wouldn’t just get a dotted line like down the middle of a highway. Looks like that D850 or Z series is beckoning

[jamhen2 (Jim)]

@mikemyers

Florida doesn’t have much railroad photography to be captured

Mike,

Disney World has a steam engine you can photograph. The engineer will release steam if you wave at him.

[Joanna (Joanna Carter)]

@jamhen2

Disney World has a steam engine you can photograph

Unfortunately, once you’ve seen the “real thing”, it does look a bit like a toy

[jamhen2 (Jim)]

I agree with you about looking like a toy. However, there there are 5 real locomotives. They are narrow gauge and built about 100 years ago by Baldwin. Recovered from Mexico, Disney rebuilt them.

I confess, I’m a Disney fan; I’ve been to Disney World over 100 times and discover something different every time. Every attraction has an interesting back story, - some real, some imagined.

Walt Disney World Railroad - Wikipedia.

[Joanna (Joanna Carter)]

I’m sorry Jim, you’ll have to visit the UK and see the “real thing”

But don’t bother heading to the London area - far better somewhere “up north” like the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

[jamhen2 (Jim)]

I have relatives near London. However, we won’t be crossing the pond until COVID is under control.

[Joanna (Joanna Carter)]

@jamhen2

… we won’t be crossing the pond…

Don’t worry, we won’t even be crossing the English Channel from France for some time yet. At least, where we live, the coast is similar to that of Devon and Cornwall, but buying a house here in Brittany was a fraction of the price of one in Devon or Cornwall. Just a singular lack of decent steam railways

[Guenterm (Win11, MAC OS, DPL 5, FP, VP, Nik4, Olympus)]

Good evening,

this is from the german Harz, it’s called Brocken Bahn, photo made 2016 during a walk up the Brocken Hill
Harzer Schmalspurbahnen | Brockenbahn (hsb-wr.de)

Have fun

[mikemyers]

@Guenterm

this is from the german Harz, it’s called Brocken Bahn

Lovely!! THAT is worth whatever effort it takes. Beautiful scenery, awesome locomotive…

It would be nice if you could find a location where the sun was on the camera side, not the back side, and maybe shoot it a little more from the side so we can see all the details. I could spend hours/days/weeks in a spot like that, and maybe on a snowy landscape during the winter.

Is it a tourist train? In Colorado, you can ride trains like this, and they let you out in scenic locations, and then back up and go past you, making lots of smoke I’ve never seen a European steam locomotive - yet.

Did you take a series of shots, or just this one?

[Guenterm (Win11, MAC OS, DPL 5, FP, VP, Nik4, Olympus)]

Thanks Mike,

train spotting is not my job , and I’m not so interested in trains. I Tok the photo only because I have been at this place, this time the train passes and I made a quick shot. And like you can see on the photo there are not so many possibilities to move the location

[OXiDant (Peter)]

trains?
snacks anyone?