Orange Glow

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 11 September 2007 in Cityscape & Urban and Portfolio.

I went to Houston last week and wandered around downtown for awhile after my meeting ended. Looking at my photos once I returned was a grim reminder of how much more time I need to spend behind the lens. My output was plagued by numerous errors and missed shots because I relied too much on automatic settings and didn't always think through my objectives or pay enough attention to parameters like shutter speed and aperture as they related to my photographic intentions. I don't think I'm going to inaugurate a "series" on Houston, but for awhile, I will be posting mostly from that afternoon.

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Comments (7)

Amir from X, United States

Unlike what you said about your other images taken on that day; this one is one of the best I have seen. I don't know if it's an HDR or not, but it looks like one. Very nice lighting and great perspective, combined with good framing had made this photo one of a kind.

I also appreciate your uninterrupted and continuous visit to my blog, plus your kind and friendly comments. You may read my responses to your recent comments on my blog.

Thanks once again.

11 Sep 2007 2:52pm

@Amir: Thanks, but of course, I'm not going to post any of my mistakes. It is an hdr image. A lot of people seem to dislike hdr but I'm not one of them. Hdr is often the only way of reproducing what I saw in a scene that motivated me to take the photo in the first place. This makes sense since our sight has a greater dynamic range than the instruments we use to take photographs. Every image is different and needs to be processed with the techniques most appropriate to the photographer's vision. To use hdr on every image would be facile Hdr can be wielded like a scalpel or a club. And sometimes you need a club and other times you need a scalpel. In the end, it's all a matter of personal taste.

colin ogilvie from United Kingdom

Nice shot, the orange glow draws the eye

11 Sep 2007 8:11pm

@colin ogilvie: Thank you.

Markus from Reading, United Kingdom

Nice eerie scene, great framing!

11 Sep 2007 8:35pm

@Markus: Thanks. I see your blog has many images of the States. How did you like it over here?

stijn from brugge, Belgium

it has a hint of hdr but dont think is ... well it looks very cool the color is great

11 Sep 2007 8:39pm

@stijn: Thank you. Yes, it's hdr. See my comments to Amir about hdr above. I tend to like it best when the viewer can't tell for sure whether or not an image is hdr.

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

A fabulous shot Twelvebit, it looks like the space age has arrived!

12 Sep 2007 12:56am

@MaryB: Thank you. I guess that's not entirely inappropriate since Houston was once more linked to the US Space Program than it seems to be today --as in "Houston, we have a problem," from the movie Apollo 13. I myself tend to think of it more of an oil town.

colinjones25 from stockton-on-tees, United Kingdom

I see your back in top form!! lovin your work!!!

12 Sep 2007 4:13pm

@colinjones25: Thanks. Your images are inspirational. They make me feel like a real slacker.

Will from Gainesville, United States

awesome HDR...this is something i need to start experimenting with:)

14 Apr 2008 6:21pm

@Will: When I started with it I used it on everything and took it too far. Eventually you learn where it works best and where it is unnecessary. However, even where you're not really increasing the dynamic range, it sometimes has it uses as a short-cut for other more laborious techniques.

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