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chromasia.com

As I mentioned, this one was shot from a lot closer to the ground than yesterday's :-)

It was taken in Al Seef, one of the less opulent areas of Dubai, and is a seven shot HDR processed with Photomatix Pro. What I really like about this technique is that it allows you to produce images that you just couldn't take with a single shot. In this instance there's a full range of tones across the tyre of the cart (what would be the shadow area of the metered exposure), but lots of detail in the wall too (midtones and highlights).

As always, let me know what you think.

On a related matter: David Hobby (of strobist fame) is also at the GPP event this year, and we went up to the hotel restaurant to shoot the sunset yesterday evening. If you're interested, there's a shot of me hard at work here ;-)

And if you're not familiar with his site, go check it out, as it's probably the best 'how to do lighting without spending a fortune' website on the internet.

 
3x2 + HDR + travel [Dubai, UAE] + urban
comment by csj@id7.co.uk at 08:47 PM (GMT) on 29 April, 2008

Dave you are producing some cracking shots, it must be the alcohol and nuts that are working for you. I've loved the last 6 or so posts, very inspiring. I'm tapping this out to you on my new macbook! ;-) csj (struggling with one mouse button)

comment by Jennifer at 09:03 PM (GMT) on 29 April, 2008

Think you need to get away more often ;-) PS you didn't tell us about the blur on the hotel shot (I don't think!)

comment by chrissy at 09:15 PM (GMT) on 29 April, 2008

haha, your such a work inspiration!
Thanks for the link David, picked up some great tips already.

comment by Leicca at 10:37 PM (GMT) on 29 April, 2008

:)
I like it.

comment by Dave C at 12:28 AM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

Har! I like David Hobby's shot: don't work too hard, Dave! :-)

comment by M a d . P h o t o . W o r l d at 01:16 AM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

Nice photo. The missing color emphasis the blue, nice touch.
Good photo of you and mr. beer and is that a small manfrotto Bubble Level ?
Love mine ;)

comment by jkm at 01:30 AM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

Now that's what I call 'LIFE / WORK BALANCE' ;-) I absolutely love the effect of this shot but can I be a real German about it? The central line of the pavers leads your eye to the wheel, which is slightly off centre - I guess 1% away from perfection...

comment by Bill at 03:17 AM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

I check the photo of you working hard. God gave you two hand one to press the shutter button and the other to hold the .... :)

I can see your comments about the full range of tones in this photo. What is outstanding and drags the viewer in the is the angle, low and how you broke the rules again. You have the photo cut in half and not in thirds with the tire in the center. This is more art than a photograph.

I enjoyed and learned from it.

comment by Garry at 08:22 AM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

Although it's full of intricate detail , I love the simplicity of this

comment by Mirco at 12:34 PM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

Great Perspective

comment by shooter at 12:46 PM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

A simple shot wonderfully executed, just how it should be...

comment by Nigel at 05:33 PM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

Beautiful, love the colour. I like what can be done with hdr and a change of environment can be very inspirational.

comment by Deb at 07:09 PM (GMT) on 30 April, 2008

Dulux should include this in their 'colours that go together' campaign. (but then again I love most anything with grey...most of all grey...and the blue serves to really highlight the spectrum of greys).

comment by Mark at 04:16 AM (GMT) on 1 May, 2008

Just curious about the politics of the photo tag. Particularly considering where you are. As photos are much more than technique, I'd like you to address this choice in the same manner you'd address the choice of aperture or shutter speed. Please don't misunderstand, not trying to be confrontational, just very curious where you're coming from.

comment by djn1 at 09:21 AM (GMT) on 1 May, 2008

Mark: the title references the level at which the photograph was taken, the 'zero' of the wheel (I.e. it's a circle), and it's clearly a very peaceful scene (rather than the point immediately below an explosion).

As for the politics: the term was first used following the second world war so has absolutely nothing to do with where I am now.

comment by Tom K. at 05:08 AM (GMT) on 7 May, 2008

Eyepoppingly exciting and inspirational.

comment by Reuben Chircop at 08:29 AM (GMT) on 28 May, 2008

I like this shot. I see myself shooting this shot and the definition of colour is great.