"Countryside III" 3"x3" Miniature Soft Pastel

 "Countryside III" by David Patterson

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What the Heck is HDR Photography?

The following information is from USACanon.com:

What is this talk about HDR all about?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is something you hear digital photography enthusiasts speaking about a lot these days.  Basically, it means combining two or more images — of the exact same scene — taken at different exposure levels into one finished image.  One dark exposure can capture detail in bright areas of the scene, while a second, lighter exposure can give details in mid-tones and shadows.  Combined, the two can give a finished image with far more overall tonal detail than is sometimes possible to capture with even the finest digital SLRs on the market today.  This is especially true in very high-contrast scenes, such as scenics in bright sunlight, and indoor shots taken in the daytime with bright windows in the scene.

As old as photography is the search for the ideal light. Part of this search for light is related to the fact that some scenes just look better in certain (often warmer) light. But even more it is related to the fact that film and now modern digital DSLRs can only capture a certain dynamic range.

The Dynamic Range (DR) of a DSLR or film is measured by the ratio of the brightest detail in the highlights and the darkest detail in the shadows. The detail in the highlights is limited by pure highlight clipping and the detail in the shadows is limited in modern DSLRs by the noise level (or film grain).

It is common to measure the DR of cameras in the range of Exposure Values (E.V.) spanned, E.V. being often expressed as f-stops (even though photographers usually vary the exposure time rather than the aperture. Some data can illustrate this:

Black & White Negative Film

10-11 f-stops,  or a DR ratio of about 1,000:1 – 2,000:1

Slide Film

6-7 f-stops, or a ratio of about 100:1

DSLRs (in 2008)

8-10 f-stops, or a ratio of about 250:1  to 1000:1

Daylight Scene (with full sun)

12-15 f-stops, or a ratio of 5,000:1 to 50,000:1 (depending on preferred amount of shadow detail)  

Room Interior, with outside view from window into full daylight

At least 17 f-stops, or a ratio greater than 100,000:1

We have the following options:

• Control the light (only practical in the studio via flash or lights)
• Shoot only in low-contrast situations
• Overcome the limitation of a single exposure

Exposure Merge

Of course all three options are valid. This article concentrates on the last option. How can we overcome the limitations of our cameras. Because the problem is as old as photography we also had solutions for as long. We capture two or more separate photographs (from underexposed to overexposed) of the same scene and combine the images into a new photo. The classic solution is called Exposure Blending. Master photographers did this manually in the darkroom with enlargers, and today the same is done in the digital world in Photoshop™. Seamless manual blending is hard work because of the issue of:

• Aligning the source images
• Masking the images to get seamless blended results

Most digital photography enthusiasts’ first efforts at combining separate images into one finished HDR image is done in an image-editing software program such as Adobe Photoshop™.  Using features such as layers and various masking techniques, it’s possible to get excellent results, if the user’s technique from the camera to the computer has been sound.

However, today there are quite a few specialized software applications (one that I’ve had excellent results with is Photomatix Pro) that can are designed primarily for the single task of merging two or more exposures into a single image, which is LDR (Low Dynamic Range), but containing the details in highlights and shadows of the exposures from the sources images. There are different merging algorithms with different strengths and weaknesses.

Capturing multiple images with your camera and combining them into finished tonemapped HDR images is quite simple today. Getting the right artistic results will as always take some time practice and experimentation.

Notes of caution:

Movement is the enemy of HDR. This means that you have to watch for everything that moves. Here is a list of common ghosting* candidates:

• People
• Cars, bicycles, and other vehicles
• Larger animals (dogs, cats,...)
• Small animals (birds, butterflies,..)
• Clouds
• Water
• Flags
• Trees and plants in wind

 An HDR photo - "The Junk Castle"
Fine Art Photography by David Patterson

If you would like to purchase prints, framed prints, stretched canvas prints, or even greeting cards of this image, please click here to go to my website.

If you have any other inquiries, please email me.

Seattle Captured #11 - "Beached Tree Stump"

 If you would like to purchase prints, including framed, stretched canvas, or even greeting cards of this image, please click here to go to my website.

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Seattle Captured #10 - "Harley's all in a Row"

"Harley's all in a Row"

Captured at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington

If you would like to purchase prints, framed prints, stretched canvas prints, or even greeting cards of this photograph, please click here to go to my website.

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Seattle Captured #9- Pioneer Square Alleyway

If you would like to purchase prints, framed prints, stretched canvas prints, or even greeting cards of this photograph, please click here to go to my website.

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Seattle Captured #8 - "Hidden Stairs"

Found this at the Washington Botanical Gardens in Seattle, Washington.

If you would like to purchase prints, framed prints, stretched canvas prints, or even greeting cards of this photograph, please click here to go to my website.

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Seattle Captured #7 - Cafe Bengodi

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Seattle Captured #6 "Experience Music Project"

Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame is one of the must interesting stops in Seattle, Washington The Experience Music Project is a 140,000 square foot music museum at the Seattle Center.

If you would like to purchase prints, framed prints, stretched canvas prints, or even greeting cards of this photograph, please click here to go to my website.

If you have any other inquiries, please email me.

Seattle Captured #5 - Pioneer Square Pergola

Wonderful structure called the Pergola - located in Pioneer Square - Seattle, Washington

If you would like to purchase prints, framed prints, stretched canvas prints, or even greeting cards of this painting, please click here to go to my website. 

If you have any other inquiries, please email me

Seattle Captured #4 - Seattle Coffee Works

"Seattle Coffee Works" Near Pike Place Market

If you would like to purchase prints, framed prints, stretched canvas prints, or even greeting cards of this photograph, please click here to go to my website.

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Seattle Captured #2 - "The Alibi Room"

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Seattle Captured #1 - The Pergola in Pioneer Square

"Pergola Shadow Play"

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please click here click here to go to my website.

If you have any other inquiries, please email me.

Valentine's Day Cards from my Pastel Paintings

Surprise your loved one by ordering a Valentine's Day card with the above image.  The images above, and below, are from my original pastel paintings.  These will make very unique cards, and they are suitable for framing.  To order the above card, or a box of 10 or 25, click here to go to my website.

To order a Valentine card with the above image, click here to go to my website

To order a Valentine card with the above image, click here to go to my website

The Countryside - Soft Pastel Painting

Soft pastel painting with watercolor underpainting - 12"x12" - Unframed
Make sure you click on the photo for a larger view!

To All my Friends and Followers...Happy New Year!!

Happy Holidays!

I want to wish a Very Happy Holiday to all my friends and colleagues here in blogland. How about taking the good feelings and well wishes we have this time of year, and displaying it to everyone we happen to come upon the whole year...now wouldn't that make for a more Peaceful World for everyone??!!

 

 

 

Glass Sculpture - "Blue Luster" - 4.50" x 3.50" SOLD - GD

Sorry, this piece is SOLD!

Glass Sculpture - "Green with Envy" - 4.75" x 3.75" SOLD! (RM)

My glass sculptures/paperweights make a wonderful and unique gift.  Each piece is engraved on the bottom, and come with a signed Certificate of Authenticity with photo.  UPS ground shipping is included in the price for delivery to U.S. addresses only.  Delivery by Christmas can't be guaranteed, but when you receive this beautiful sculpture, it will be well worth the wait!  You can make payment below using PayPal, or contact me at cougs1@harbornet.com for other options.  Item ID: ET10  See more sculptures for sale on this blog.

Glass Sculpture - "A Touch of Aqua" - 5.00" x 4.00" SOLD (RM)

My glass sculptures/paperweights make a wonderful and unique gift.  Each piece is engraved on the bottom, and come with a signed Certificate of Authenticity with photo.  UPS ground shipping is included in the price for delivery to U.S. addresses only.  Delivery by Christmas can't be guaranteed, but when you receive this beautiful sculpture, it will be well worth the wait!  You can make payment below using PayPal, or contact me at cougs1@harbornet.com for other options.  Item ID: EPA10  See more sculptures for sale on this blog.

 

Glass Sculpture - "Whispy Pinks" - 4.00" x 4.00" SOLD - CJ

My glass sculptures/paperweights make a wonderful and unique gift.  Each piece is engraved on the bottom, and come with a signed Certificate of Authenticity with photo.  UPS ground shipping is included in the price for delivery to U.S. addresses only.  Delivery by Christmas can't be guaranteed, but when you receive this beautiful sculpture, it will be well worth the wait!  You can make payment below using PayPal, or contact me at cougs1@harbornet.com for other options.  Item ID: RPW20  See more sculptures for sale on this blog.

Glass Sculpture - "Purple Haze" - 3.75" x 5.00" SOLD - GD

Sorry...this beautiful piece is sold!

Glass Sculpture - "Amethyst Swirl" - 3.75" x 5.00" SOLD - GD

Sorry, this piece is SOLD!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL! 25% Off All Website Purchases

Offer is good on my website (not this blog) from now until January 1, 2011.  Go to my website at DavidPattersonArtist.com

To get the discount use the code "NGNFHY" at checkout.

Discount includes artwork only. Discounts on my glass sculptures,  frames, matting and shipping charges not included.

I offer everything from single prints, greeting cards, framed art, to stretched canvas.

You can even make a print out of one of my original paintings - such as the one below!

Please Note: If you want a print of one of my pastel paintings, the best paper to select as an option is Somerset Velvet.  Please be aware that the default paper is Archival Matte.  My HDR photography looks best printed on Glossy Photo Paper.

Happy Holidays from DavidPattersonArtist.com

"The Market" 9"x12" - Soft Pastel

New Soft Pastel Paintings

Last weekend I attended a wonderful workshop by PSA artist Marla Baggetta. I started these two paintings in Marla's workshop, completing them today in my studio.  The first painting is titled "Palouse Farm", and the second one is titled "Honeycrisp"

Make sure you click on the images for a larger, and more detailed view.

You can see Marla's and her talented husband Mike's paintings on their website at baggettastudio.com

 "Palouse Farm" - 11"x11" Soft Pastel Painting - $400.00 Unframed

Prints are available on my website at:

DavidPattersonArtist.com

 "Honeycrisp" - 11"x11" Soft Pastel Painting - $400.00 Unframed

Prints are available on my website at:

DavidPattersonArtist.com

New Gallery Representation - The Artisans at the Dahmen Barn

I'm excited to share with you a wonderful new venue for my artwork...it's the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, Washington.  This unique gallery is located in the rich dry-land farming area called the Palouse.  It's situated 16 miles south of both Pullman WA and Moscow ID, and 16 miles north of Lewiston ID, and Clarkston, WA  - the art center is truly the hub of the Palouse.

 The Artisans at the Dahmen Barn - A restored dairy barn

This location will let all my family and friends in the Pullman area view my work in person.  I currently have at the gallery - seven glass sculptures, two miniature pastels, and one larger pastel painting.  I hopefully will also be able to sell a few of my matted photos depicting the area farms and barns.

The Gallery website is: http://www.artisanbarn.org/
If you can't make it to the gallery, and are interested in one of my pieces, you can contact Julie Hartwig at 509-229-3414.  You may also email Julie at jhartwig@clearwire.net

The Pastels, and the glass sculptures below, are a few of the pieces I have at the Dahmen Barn. 

 "Priest Lake Hay Bales" Soft Pastel Painting - 12"x20"

"Sunset Meadow" - Miniature Soft Pastel Painting - 2.25"x2.75"

 "Evergreen" - Glass Sculpture - 5"x3.5"

 "Deep Reds II" - Glass Sculpture - 5.25"x3.75"