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40 Beautiful HDR Pictures You Would be Amazed
Many people are surprised by the stunning effect HDR images present. Today we are here to introduce you another talent in the making of HDR images: Frank Slack. By following up the steps taught on the forums of the HDR group on Flickr, Frank picked up the techniques quickly though not having much experience in creating HDR images, or even photography. But now he is ready to show the world what he has got. If you want to know more about the amazing HDR images, you would not miss the interview below!
Q1. First of all, thanks for taking up the interview. Could you first introduce yourself a bit to our readers?
I am a Biology Professor for my day job, with a photography hobby for my night job. Luckily my work takes me to many beautiful places around the world, where I get to take photographs in my spare time.
Q2. When did you start to create HDR works? And did you self taught all the photography skills and techniques or did you go to some sort of school?
I began this art form in September of 2006. I do not have any formal photography training, just an interest in teaching myself from the work of others. In particular I learnt from the forums of the HDR group on Flickr.
Q3. Where do you get your inspiration? Do you wander around the city and travel a lot to get nice pictures?
I am an opportunistic photographer. That is I am usually running around before, between or after work and meetings capturing images when I can. This is not my job, so I try to find moments in my spare time. I am particularly drawn to cityscapes and landscapes at sunrise and sunset. If I am traveling I am usually jet lagged, so getting up the sunrise is not a problem.
Q4. Between photography and HDR works, what do you think is the differences when it comes to presenting the beauty of the object, nature landscape for example? Because HDR works may sometimes give people a feeling of unreal and reminding people of air brush instead of photograph.
In my work, I view HDR as an art form, not as a realistic representation of the scene. “Low impact” HDR can be used to improve the dynamic range in an image without distorting the view in an extreme way. I tend to use high saturation for a pleasing effect to me.
Q5. What make you decide to turn a photo into a HDR image? Does the photo have to process some kind of qualification?
I love to shoot sunsets and sunrises, often in a backlit manner. HDR allows me to dramatically improve the dynamic range of these images. I imagine that when digital cameras improve their dynamic range, I will use HDR less and less.
Q6. What do you think is the hardest part in the making of HDR images? How do you manage to overcome it?
There are some tricky issues, e.g. Subject movement, sharpness, when layering 5 images onto one another. I have been impressed with the capabilities of a software product called Photomatix, to automatically reduces these issues. I always sharpen my images in Photoshop after the blending in Photomatix.
Post published on 28th October 2009
Angie Bowen
October 29th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Very inspirational round up! I love HDR photography, it’s so vibrant!
CyberGus
October 29th, 2009 at 12:24 am
I see ordinary pictures with an HDR process abuse.
When you really know how to apply this process, you avoid the excessive halo that surrounds clouds and trees.
A trained eye in photography, can tell that.
Besides that, no great compos here, and yes, usually a sunrise/sunset is the easy way to impress most non photographers.
electric cigarette
October 29th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I swear HDR photography is what the world looks like when you are on psychedelic molecules.
Patrickv
October 29th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Lovely pictures you have man but I feel there’s too much saturation, especially with Blue and noise too but they all look awesome, good job
A Photographer
October 29th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
While I can appreciate Frank’s ability to frame a shot, moving the slider bars all the way up to 11 just to sickeningly oversaturate and increase dynamic range at the cost of making an image viewable is reprehensible.
A truly GOOD HDR (in this professional’s humble opinion) should not be obvious. HDR images should mimic what the human eye can see, compensating for the straight photograph’s inability to capture extremes of light and dark.
If there was a way for me to sign this post and KNOW that I wouldn’t receive spam for it, I would.
jack
October 30th, 2009 at 12:11 am
these photos are somewhat here and there as far as good is concerned.
The problem is that ur retina has different descrepancies to others so what u percieve as good is not always going to impress upon others.
ck
October 30th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Couple of nice ones. Almost all overcooked though.
BeyondRandom
October 30th, 2009 at 4:26 am
WOW these are beautiful! Great collection, thanks for sharing
tom
October 30th, 2009 at 4:54 am
some nice work, but as with so much HDR stuff most seems massively overcooked!!
keith marriott
October 30th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Sorry but these are not HDR images. HDR captures a wider dynamic range than the sensor can capture in one shot, but the shots should look natural. These photos are grossly over saturated and yea – they look different but I don’t think they show HDR at it’s best at all
Jeremy
October 30th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Agreed, I think the photographic definition of HDR was stretched a bit here. Not to mention this article reads more like a plug for one artist’s work.
John M
October 30th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Not a fan of HDR unless it is used to look realistic. Sadly few if any look realistic and most look like there was little thought into making a decent image. The glowing halos and cartoon colors are a real turn-off.
NUddin
October 30th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Sorry to disagree, but the “halos” look awful around the buildings. Some are good but overall the best word to describe these pics: gratuitous. But I suppose that was the desired effect.
indudhar hosamath
October 31st, 2009 at 4:09 am
I am spell bounded
swanknitter
November 1st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Having been a photographer I can see tht these photos are created by someone with a great eye for color and framing. But the human eye doesn’t see every tiny detail in a street scene in vivid color. That and the tweaking with background colors makes these disappoint. Some look like the digitsl images in games like Myst.
brian everitt
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 am
Massively overcooked and totally unrealistic…not something I want to look at.
seo UK
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:56 am
These make wonderful wallpapers as they’re so in tune with themselves tonally. No highlights to make the eyes uneasy. Great stuff, let’s see more
BB
Grievous Bodily Charm
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
These photographs are truely beautiful. You have inspired me to get my camera out and start taking pictures again. Thank you.
Jean Baudrillard
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
“The simulation of something which never really existed.”
Dzinepress
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 am
really amazing pictures you sharing here. thanks
Vasethvan
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 am
it is looking very cool
wahed
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:34 am
good work. thanks for share.
MUKWAH
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 am
CyberGus: Why do you feel the need to piss all over someone work? That’s the response of both a small mind and a small talent. Keep the comments framed in a positive mode. We need to both encourage each other and take care of one another — no one else will.
MUKWAH
lynn bailey
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
these are some of the most beautiful pictures. I love them.
Laura
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:30 pm
These photo’s are breath taking. I wish I could afford to have them enlarged and on my walls. Beautiful work!
khalid nasir
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:20 pm
This really is different from normal photography.Very inspiring!!!
ong
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
VERY BEAUTIFUL
kushal pradhan
November 4th, 2009 at 2:52 am
i loved the pictures.
can i get those pictures as wallpapers? if not, can u send me to my mail?
russel briones
November 4th, 2009 at 5:36 am
inspiring images.thanks for sharing.more power!
seo las vegas
November 4th, 2009 at 5:44 am
i want to have these HDR images on my house. truly a work of art!
SPAR 6
November 4th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Amazing HDR! Thanks for the interview and sharing. Third one from the bottom has to be my favorite. Such nice colors.
Amanya Jacobs
November 4th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Your photos are soooo unusual and beautiful. I love looking at them. Thanks for making them available to enjoy.
Maja
November 4th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I think these are beautiful and very pleasing to the eye. It doesn’t matter what someone thinks it “SHOULD” look like. Everyone has an opinion of what things could, would or should look like and honestly: to each his own,I say.
Great work. Keep it up.
Sally Tudor
November 4th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
BEAUTIFUL photos! Great job. Thanks for posting.
9swords
November 4th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Excellent photography , and the HDR gives the blue colors a chrome effect . Stunning !
Aree
November 4th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Hi very beautiful.
Hudson
November 4th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
superbly work.
waseem
November 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
these are really awsome and exclusive pictures i have ever seen.
Photography Ideas
November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 am
To much photoshop, I think
Jake
November 5th, 2009 at 1:28 am
Not for me thanks, the word Garish leaps to mind. What’s the big deal about oversaturating a photo?
Michael Gunn
November 5th, 2009 at 1:50 am
I had never heard of HDR before. What exactly is it?
Zé Melo
November 5th, 2009 at 4:04 am
WOWWWWW !!!! How amazing, how stunning, they are really great pictures. They’ve got me astonished !!!
WOWWWWWWWW !!!! Congratulations to Mr Frank, a very skilled photographer, he has a great future undoubtedly !! WOWWWWWWW once more !!!
Suta
November 5th, 2009 at 5:38 am
wow! just heard of hdr image from here. How did you do that stunning color? Fantastic and beautiful photo art in itself.
Vera Stopyra
November 5th, 2009 at 5:58 am
I loved the pictures. One in particular, I would like to know where it was taken at. Is there any way I can find out? It is right above the HRD comment. It’s a town over a hill overlooking the water. Puerto Rico maybe???
Dennis Carr
November 5th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Why does Biology Professor have to travel around the world, is this one reason eductation costs so much?
While I find the pictures impressive, as a photographer myself with over 8000 on flickr, I have not left our wonderful United States even once to take a single picture. It would seem in confuses work with vacation just a little too much.
Glad the students parents can afford a globetrotter.
Madd Hatter
November 5th, 2009 at 8:02 am
I feel these photos are indeed vivid and impressive, however I think the HDR effects the photos sense of realism. They give the subjects a very two-dimensional sense because there is no transition between the lights and darks. Some are difficult to view because they are so “bright”. Don’t get me wrong this is a useful technique for some photos. However in a group this large and dominant I think the beauty is lost.
Bubba
November 5th, 2009 at 8:19 am
You WOULD be amazed? At what, how good Photoshop works? I’m sure you meant you WILL be amazed (at how good Photoshop works)
Alf White
November 5th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
What can i say!they are just beautiful pictures.
selinna
November 5th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I love it. it is dramaticlly creative of the image.
rella
November 5th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
The light and colour are very different and beautiful!
Orlin
November 6th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Well…
There is a program. You put pictures in it. It produces THIS.
It was better to stay with the Biology…
Bryan
November 6th, 2009 at 3:51 am
There is a fine line between photography & photo manipulation.
HDR is a great technique for photographers when used to “spice” up an image, or bring out details, but when your photos begin to look like digital art you cross the line and lose the raw emotion of the photo.
tester
November 6th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Frankly I like some of them, but I don’t like some others, You can see too mutch that they are retouched.
Chrystal
November 6th, 2009 at 5:34 am
There are a couple of nice pics, but for the most part they look very animated.
Virginia
November 6th, 2009 at 7:10 am
The photos would be more beautiful without photoshop. As a traveler, you must present the world as you see it. These images are from an alternative universe and they give every honest photographer a lot less credit. Thanks.
- from a person who photographs truth.
Larisa Leonova
November 6th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Really fantastic images! I am impressed! Hope one day I will be able to do something like that! I am just a beginner in digital photography
Best regards from Siberia!
nailaali
November 6th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I must say marvellous n unique conceptual.
Brendon
November 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Looks good, I’m not a photographer. Eye catching.
Frederick
November 6th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Loved these, except all the halo’d ones.
-F
Sexychicken
November 6th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I don’t like these photos at all. Too unnatural.
Atmanagara
November 6th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Amazing Picture!!, High skill tecnique.
lisa
November 6th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
wow the color is amazing, and get work!!!!
namita
November 6th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
these pics are really very beautiful & inspiring me 2 do photography
Kathy
November 7th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
These photographs truly inspire…they’re truly beautiful works of art!
Dave Fisher
November 7th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I see all the comments from the “pros” about how it is or isn’t supposed to be done. In truth, it is however the person shooting the pictures wants it to be is just fine. The unnatural look is what attracted me to HDR photography. If I can’t make it look like I want it to, what is the point? Buy a $200 pocket camera if you want normal stuff.
almarie reed
November 8th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
These pictures are just beautiful.You managed to capture amazing angles.congratulations
Shade
November 10th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
For all the people saying they look too unnatural… I think thats part of the appeal to them. Its like stepping into another reality for just a moment… and everything is vivid there, and in its own way is more real for the intensity. I think these are incredible photos, and I would love to learn how to make my own photography look like this.
Debora Padilha
November 20th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
indescritible,a place to
dream
fellow photographer
November 20th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I feel that photography is very subjective and therefore each piece of work should also be respected. HDR can be used to achieve both photographs that represent exactly what we see and those that exaggerate what we see. There are some truly beautiful photographs here . Thanks for sharing these with us, Frank.
someone who appreciates art
November 20th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I never knew “should’s” and “should not’s” existed in the world of art.
langley
November 24th, 2009 at 5:39 am
the picture with the street,with shops and other buildings, what town is that from.
memory
December 5th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
This pictures are amzing. The colors are breathtaking.
The Baldchemist
December 7th, 2009 at 7:52 am
See how subjective it all is?
High dynamic range photography is ideal for real estate agents wishing to iron out shade ut personnaly I don’t enjoy overworked pictures and to my eye most of them are.
However one shouldn’t take away the photographers interpretation.
I use long exposures 2-30 seconds quite often. But multi exposure layering for HDR effects to me creates too much noise.
Thanks for the post though.
patríciapereira
December 15th, 2009 at 10:05 am
amazing photographs !
I don’t have words to describe it. Simply amazing !
shilpa
January 25th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
its really so beautiful ,its so real…
The Blue Boy
February 4th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Most of these are bloody aweful. I’ve had to put my eyeballs in the fridge.
SANJAY
February 7th, 2010 at 4:21 am
good picture