Last week I posted a Case Study post The Not-So-Obvious Reason for Using HDR where I described the technique I use to merge multiple exposures to HDR with the goal to improve image quality and not to extend the dynamic range of the capture. The technique resonated with the followers of my blog and decided to post another example of using it.
As I mentioned before I use this technique less now because my new Sony a6000 has a better sensor which produces better quality images with the wider dynamic range. But, when I was shooting with Canon 60D I used this technique a lot.
Featured image is one of those examples where I had to push image editing pretty hard in order to fight midday haze. The only way I could achieve it was to merge 3 bracketed shots to HDR first.
Loc: 36.071509, -112.148567
Shooting & Processing
I took 3 bracketed shots on a tripod (-1, 0, +1) as I usually do.
First, I merged 3 bracketed shots to HDR using Lightroom Photo Merge HDR module with the default settings.
Then I used Rapid Editing for Landscape applying Natural preset from my Landscape Collection. Later I boost Clarity, Contrast, and Vibrance using TOOLKIT adjustments.
Deconstructing Featured Photo
Camera: Canon 60D
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm
Focal Length: 20mm
ISO: 100
Aperture: F9
Bracketing: 3 shots (-1; 0, +1)
Tripod: FEISOL Tournament CT-3442
