Slowly Working Through Images From Japan - Another Nighttime HDR Shot From The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

 

Fountain and Lanterns, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, In-Camera HDR

 

I have been very busy since returning from Japan. I've finally made it through grading about 1,500 images, so that I've reduced it to a few hundred that I want to look at closer. I've also gotten my film back from The Darkroom - two rolls from my Skeletons From The Closet camera for April, the Zeiss Ikonta folder. So, I'm making progress.

 

I wrote a while back about the surprisingly good images that I got using the in-camera HDR feature of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, handheld, basically in the dark.

 

(Click Here) to read my initial post about the LX7 and HDR in the dark.

 

The shot above is another example. In this scene, the fountain was really nearly in complete darkness. The original jpeg did have a weird color balance on the fountain; the lanterns were nicely white and didn't need adjustment. I was a little worried, working with just the jpeg file (no raw file is made with in-camera HDR), but was able to adjust the color and bring up the brightness of the fountain with no issues.

 

This image would have been nearly impossible to capture handheld with other cameras. Even with a tripod, the extra processing of multiple images at the computer would have been much less fun. I've got plenty of other images to process.

 

I am really enjoying the LX7. Now, I've got to get back to editing and presenting some more pictures. Maybe this weekend...

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

See my Kindle eBook on how I set up and use the DMC-LX7. Only $2.99, or free for Amazon Prime members:

 

 

Google and Nik Software - Here's An Answer To The Naysayers!

 

Church on Kauai, by Reed A. George

Processed with Nik HDR Pro Software

 

Last October, I wrote an entry about the news that Nik Software had been purchased by Google.

 

(Click Here) to see that post.

 

Nik makes a suite of software products for digital photo processing - everything from black and white conversion to high dynamic range (HDR), and more. I only owned their HDR Pro product - until now. I have always been pleased with how HDR Pro works.

 

At the time the news of the Google purchase came out, there was a significant amount of speculation that this was bad news for serious photographers, that Google would focus only on Nik's low-end products for web use, etc. I wasn't so sure.

 

I'm happy to report a couple of things that show Google's really in this for the good of photographers as well as casual snapshooters.

 

First off - they've slashed the prices on the whole Nik Suite. I remember seeing it for ~$400 before the Google purchase. Now, it lists for $149!

 

(Click Here) for an article on the price cut on USA Today's website.

 

I think this is great news. You get the significant horsepower and development capabilities of Google at a MUCH lower price than when the company was independent. Hard to complain.

 

Next, I heard a rumor that if you owned any Nik software from the past, even a single package (like me), you could get a free download of the entire suite. Sounds too good to be true. So, I tried it. I went to the Nik homepage, found the contact page, and asked the question. I was completely honest, told them I only owned HDR Pro, and had heard a rumor. They replied very rapidly, asked for my HDR Pro product key, and affirmed that I can receive the entire suite! I haven't received it yet, but expect to very soon. Wow. That is customer service.

 

(Click Here) for Nik's contact page.

 

So, while they sometimes definitely are, big companies aren't always the evil empire. Thanks, Google!

 

One more thing - Nik's lower end product, Snapseed, is also very cool. Search my blog if you want to see a few examples.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

My new Kindle eBook on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, how to set it up and use it, is available here:

 

 

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Shoots HDR in the Dark!

 

Kodaiji at Sunset, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, HDR Scene Mode

 

I've been using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 extensively on my trip to Japan. What an amazing little camera.

 

On this particular night, I went to see a "light up" event at the Kodaiji temple in Kyoto. During the spring cherry blossom season, they light the trees up at night. It's an incredibly beautiful sight. In the picture above, I was hoping to balance the artifical light on the trees in the foreground left with the natural sunset. I decided to try the high dynamic range (HDR) scene mode on the LX7. I was blown away by the results. The camera took three consecutive exposures and merged them on the spot. They were taken handheld, as tripods were not allowed in this location. You're looking at the result straight out of the camera.

 

Needless to say, I used the same HDR scene setting throughout the night. Even when it was completely dark out, it did a great job handling the very challenging lighting situations.

 

 

HDR in the Dark, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, HDR Scene Mode

 

The area inside the shrine above was extremely dark. The lamps were very bright. Again, you're looking at the result right out of the camera. I'm hoping to bring up the shadows some when I get this in Lightroom. Regardless, it's quite impressive, especially handheld.

 

Technology has come a long way in the recent past.

 

I'm sure that I won't be able to make large prints of these, but to be able to capture these images at all is a pleasant surprise to me.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Get my Kindle eBook on the LX7 here:

 

 

Get your LX7 here:

 

 

 

Review and Sample Photos from Lumix DMC-LX7 on Entropic Remnants

 

Image Source: http://blog.entropicremnants.com/2013/03/08/virtue-in-downsizing-a-panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx7-compact-camera-review.aspx

 

John Griggs has posted an impressive review of the little Lumix DMC-LX7 on his blog, Entropic Remnants.

 

(Click Here) to read John's full review and see lots of great low-light image samples.

 

I very much like the style of John's review. He's to the point, honest, as well as being an obviously-talented photographer. He didn't take the easy route in this review. He took the small-sensored LX7 deep inside a dark factory environment, and came out with some awesome pictures.

 

John always shoots raw files, and is not shy about admitting that he post-processes in Lightroom to the extent needed. In addition to hitting some of the main features of the LX7 - the fast 1.4 Pana-Leica lens, built-in ND filter, and aperture ring (like a real camera!), John points out any deficiencies when he sees them. The only one that jumped out at me is that the lens can be flare-prone.

 

John finds iso 400 to be the "quality limit" of iso on the LX7, and is quite happy with 16x20 prints shot at iso 400. He mentions that 800 is usable. He also demonstrates high dynamic range (HDR) images and a macro shot from the LX7.

 

I have recently purchased the LX7 myself, and am in the process of becoming familiar with it. Part of that process is working through all of the settings that I find important for real world use. I'm documenting that, and will make it available in ebook form in the coming weeks.

 

My ebook is now available in Kindle format at Amazon:

 

(Click Here) to buy the LX7 Real World Setting Guide for $2.99, or borrow it for FREE if you're an Amazon Prime member. I would really appreciate a positive review of the book on Amazon, if you can spare the time.

 

I am also about to spend some quality time with the LX7 on my upcoming trip to Japan. I've decided to carry my M9 and Whole Lotta Leica lens (the Summilux 35mm f1.4), my Skeletons From The Closet camera (Zeiss Ikonta medium format folder), and the LX7. The LX7 will be responsible for most of my daily shooting, all closeups, etc. So, I hope to have something to show.

 

Having a fast f1.4 lens really extends the range of the LX7. Here's a shot from the interior of an airplane that I recently shot:

James Bond in Sepia, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, Sepia-toned jpg

iso 200, f1.4, 1/60 sec

 

I'm very pleased to be able to shoot at iso200 in a dark airplane interior.

 

I'm really looking forward to pushing the LX7 to some limits on my upcoming trip.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Nik Software Bought By Google - Good or Bad?

 

Image Source: http://www.niksoftware.com/hdrefexpro/usa/index.php

 

The Online Photographer reports that Google has purchased Nik Software, makers of photo editing software.

 

(Click Here) to read the post and responses.

 

Personally, I use Nik's HDR Efex Pro, and find it very nice to work with. I am interested in trying Silver Efex (which is a monochrome conversion tool, to turn color images to black and white in a controlled way). I have also played with the app Snapseed, which is also a Nik product. It's actually very cool.

 

When I saw the news, my first thought was that this could be good for the company. Google's developmental and financial resources could ensure stability and really push the tools ahead. Most commenters disagree, and see this as bad news.

 

I will admit - I have no data on how products fare after companies are acquired by Google. Some commenters think that Google will focus solely on Snapseed, and kill the rest. That would be a shame. I kind of doubt that.

 

Thoughts? Predictions?

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 
 

 

 

How About an HDR Competition?

 

Inside the Stone House, Manassas Battlefield, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7, f6.3, HDR

 
mu-43.com is hosting a salon competition - hurry - it closes on July 18.
 
(Click Here) to enter!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Sunrise at Manassas Battlefield

 

Sunrise at Manassas National Battlefield, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

HDR, f5.6

This is how early spring sunrise looks at Manassas. It was a nice morning walk.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

I Sold A Print!

 I sold a nice 11x14 print of this at a local art exhibit.  If it looks familiar, it is because it was used in my very first post on DMC-365!

 Mount Fuji Over Lake Ashi, Hakone, Japan

Lumix DMC-G1, 14-140mm, iso 100, f8, High Dynamic Range (HDR) composite of three images, processed by Nik HDR Efex Pro 

I am quite pleased that someone liked it enough to buy it for their home.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Support this blog - order your Lumix 14-140, or anything you buy from Amazon, by clicking here!

Beautiful Post of Wide Angle HDR Images

 User Guzziknight on mu-43.com has posted a very nice series of high dynamic range (HDR) images of a church interior, taken with his Olympus EP-1 and Lumix 14mm f2.5.

Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f56/westview-abbey-20529/

Here is a link to the full post (click here).

 

While I have been accused of being a technological luddite when it comes to photography, I am a fan of well-controlled HDR.  This is a great example.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

I Admit It, I like HDR

This is What My Eyes Saw; the Camera Couldn't See it All in One Exposure

HDR Image of Ficus Tree, Kauai, Hawaii

Lumix DMC-LX5, iso80, 35mm equiv full-frame focal length

Three exposures, processed with Nik HDR Efex Pro

 

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a technique that combines brightness levels from multiple images of the same scene, to produce a single image with a wider apparent dynamic range, which means that details are not lost in shadows or very bright areas.  Used correctly, it can reveal detail that is visible to the human eye, but not within the capture range of a camera sensor.

 

HDR is frequently over-used and over-processed, which can lead to a very artificial look.  If that's what the photographer intended, okay.  But, in many cases, it just looks like someone went on a trip to computer game animation world.

 

Here is a nice online article from Peter Tellone on the B&H Photo blog:

(click here)

 

I learned about HDR in an excellent workshop at a Leica Historical Society of America (LHSA) meeting.  Our instructor, Dr. Stephen Wright, did a great job of demonstrating the technique.  The LHSA is probably not the most technically progressive group in the world; they tend toward more traditional approaches and fewer buttons and controls.  However, many of us saw HDR as an extension of what the best cameras can provide.

 

If you are interested, the software I use is Nik Efex Pro.  It is available at Amazon:

(click here)

 

I hope you will find this useful.  HDR really can make a challenging, high contrast lighting situation into something you'll be proud to show.  Just don't overdo it!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com