First Annual Digital Delray Days Begins with HDR - and awakening the artist within

© Rick Sammon

Today was day #1 of my Digital Delray Days - an annual event designed to inspire creative photographers in South Florida . . . and from around the country.

We started the day with HDR - capturing the entire dynamic range of a very high contrast scene. Everyone got it! (We also covered flash and people photography.)

Back in my room, I processed my HDR sequence and added a touch of Topaz Adjust/ Dark Ghostly to create the image I saw in my mind's eye. After applying Topaz Adjust, I used Shadows/Highlights in Photoshop to fine-tune my image.

Read more about Topaz Adjust and the other plug-ins I use. Great creative fun.

Above: Middle exposure of my seven exposure HDR sequence.

The idea here is to envision the end-result... and to go beyond HDR images.

If you want to master HDR - and get some ideas for creative HDR images - check out my iHDR app.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Shoot me an email to get on my 2013 Digital Delray list.

I Hate HDR?

HDR image © Rick Sammon

When I give an HDR presentation, I usually begin by suggesting to the audience that if they want to have some fun, do a Google search for "I hate HDR."

Hundreds of pages come up. Most HDR haters hate HDR for two reasons:

One, they feel HDR is cheating (although Ansel Adams created HDR images and he was not called a cheater).

Two: they feel most HDR images are "over-cooked."

Here's my take on the topic:

One, why hate any form of creativity?

Two, why take the time to write about why you hate something?

HDR image © Rick Sammon

I do think that there are two main types of HDR images: realistic, above, and surrealistic, below.

HDR image © Rick Sammon

Often times, I think the subject suggests the HDR effect: realistic for landscapes, and surrealistic for artistic and really cool looking subjects.

© Rick Sammon

I go on to say that as much as I love HDR, it can ruin the mood of the scene, as illustrated by the HDR image at the left.

Finally, I say, "Follow your heart." Or as Ginger Baker wrote, "Do What You Like."

HDR image © Rick Sammon

I use several HDR programs and plug-ins. Check them out on my Save on Creative Plug-ins page and save a few bucks on some bundles.

My best HDR tips are on my iPad and Mac app: Rick Sammon's iHDR.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. For hands-on HDR learning (and loving) check out my HDR workshops, including my Death Valley workshop.

A Florida Photo Caravan Favorite

© Scott Steinke

We had our Florida Photo Caravan group slide show last night. Tons of great images.

One of our participants, Scott Steinke, needed to leave early and missed the show.

Scott, everyone loved this shot of yours! Great work my friend.

Digital Delray begins tomorrow. Pictures to come.

Explore the light,
Rick

Florida Photo Caravan: Finale

© Rick Sammon

I'm kinda down tonight . . . already missing my newfound friends (as well as old friends) on my Florida Photo Caravan.

Today we had out last shoot.... model on the beach. Above is my favorite shot from our last shoot, below is another "Behind the Scenes by Susan" shot.

I enhanced my image with the Midnight filter in Nik's Color Efex Pro.  More on my plug-ins here.

I will miss you all! Hope to see you again real soon.

Scroll down to see previous posts from the road.

Catch you later,
Rick

Digital Delray Days

© Rick Sammon

My first annual Digital Delray Days beings next week - and runs all week.

We are full, but we are planning 2013. I do have room on my Tampa, Oldsmar and Ft. Pierce seminars and workshops.

© Rick Sammon

Shoot me an email to get on the list for my workshops.

Scroll down to see the kind of photo fun my 10 students had on my Florida Photo Caravan.

Explore the light,
Rick