Tysons, Virginia
I received some questions about this photo from a few post ago:
This was a high-dynamic range (HDR) photo from the Metro platform with an incoming train going through the frame. I really did not know if this would work at the time I took the images. For HDR, you need to make a series of exposures that differ in shutter speed. This will create a range of images that vary from underexposed to overexposed. Using the bracketing functions built into the camera, you can set this up in camera.
Using the very fast motor drive of the Nikon D4, there is very little difference in the composition of each frame. For the most part, you would not seen much differences except for the moving train cutting across the middle. This is what you need – the composition should be as similar as it can in each of the bracketed frames. With this in mind, the software can align each individual image for processing.
Post Processing
For this particular set, I brought the bracketed images into Photomatix Pro 5.0. After you export the images from Lightroom to Photomatix, you are presented with a Deghosting dialog box:
From the initial preview, you can see that the train is a mess. There are many different versions you are trying to stay, and the software is trying to put all of them into the combined image. To clean things up, you need to drag the “Deghosting” slides on the top left all the way to the right. This is the “Very Strong” setting. Then from the set of images below, select which of the bracketed photos you want to select as the master or source file that will take precedence over all the others. I chose the 1/160s one because the train was just starting to come into the frame. and you could still make out many of the numbers at the top of the train.
After selecting ‘OK’ you have a much cleaner file to tone map to your final HDR image in Photoshop. This is an extreme example, but it will work if you want to clean up moving people in an image, or anywhere that the preview HDR looks too muddy or blurry. Give it a try!
TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208
AJ Smith Performs at Tysons Corner Center | Music Photographer
The Fresh Artists Concert Series at Tysons Corner Center is really heating up! Although all the concerts are free, there is a limited amount of people that can be on the plaza at one time, so you need to get wristbands to assure entrance to the area. Last Friday’s concert was out of wristbands an hour after the mall opened, so you need to get there early! There were two performers on the marquee that night, AJ Smith & the Apollo as well as Lindsey Stirling.
The Plaza
AJ and his band really got the excitement level up early! He is a very talented musician providing the lead vocals for all the songs while playing the keyboards, guitar, or violin depending on the song. Singing his original compositions with so much energy really brought the crowd into the performance. His songwriting skill was on display giving us songs that are easy on the ear, but not so repetitive that they sound like they were spit out of a sequencer. There were changes in tempo, in counts, and they had nice vocal or instrumental pieces that kept your interest as the songs progressed.
His band also matched his effort with their energy and talent. It can be tough to really keep that level up for an entire set, but this band did it so well. The response from the crowd was amazing! The crowded plaza was clapping, dancing, and singing along by the end of their set. “Dragons in the Sky” has a singable vocal line that everyone was singing by the end! It was a great way to spend a beautiful Friday evening. There will be another concert this Friday, so check the Tysons Corner Center website for details!
TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208
Lancaster Pennsylvania Covered Bridges
Earlier this month, we traveled to Lancaster County, PA to help another photographer cover a beautiful wedding. The road trip allowed for some time to explore this part of the country that is not that far, but one that I have not visited in a very long time! The helpful visitor’s center pointed out some of the places that would be great for out of town visitors to see. The highlight for me and my camera were the covered bridges! I cannot remember the last time I had come across these in my travels, so I was excited to get some photos while we were in the area.
Little did I know there were so many around! We could easily drive to a few in a day, spend some time making photos, and still do some other sightseeing. These bridges all came with information right by their entrances. You can read about their history, their construction, and how they have changed in function over the years.
They had a nice setting in the farming country of southern Pennsylvania. Surrounded by cornfields, and spanning the waterways that carried commerce from Amish farms to the towns really gives you the sense of their importance in the development of the area. Although many of the covered bridges have been replaced so many are still in use. They help to preserve the history, and add nicely to the landscape. I will definitely try to make it back to see others next time.
TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208