GiantCowFilms

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Download The HDR Now – 19.1 MB

For more information on how to use this HDR, read the instructions and FAQ

Specifications:

• Licence: Creative Commons 0/Public Domain
• Dynamic Range: 20.46 Stops
• Original Size: 29184 x 14592 – Uploaded at 12.5% original resolution
• Camera: Canon EOS 70D
• Lens: Canon 18-135 STM
• Set EV: +13.988 @ 100 ISO – You can adjust the exposure after the fact if you need
• Coverage: 360 x 180
• Date Taken: 11/29/2015 2:43 – 2:59 PM
• Location: Northern United States

This sun-capturing HDR has a full 360×180 range, and stores the light found in the early evening. In this one the color of the sun was tuned for best results.

Test Render @ 8,192 samples

Lessons Learnt

The sun in this one was a little desaturated, and I think it was due to lack of sufficient ND filters. I need to go down about 2-3 stops. The problem is, at around this point, IR light starts to flood the sensor, and ND IR filters are quite pricey, so for now I will tweak the color of the sun in post. It may seem “inaccurate” but as long as the desired light, colors and reflections are achieved, no harm has been done.

Download The HDR Now

For more information on how to use this HDR, read the instructions and FAQ

Specifications:

• Licence: Creative Commons 0/Public Domain
• Dynamic Range: 6.06 Stops
• Camera: Canon EOS 70D
• Lens: Canon 18-135 STM
• Set EV: +10.32 @ 100 ISO – You can adjust the exposure after the fact if you need
• Coverage: 360 x 180
• Date Taken: 11/22/2015 7:58 – 8:06 AM
• Location: Northern United States

This HDR has a full 360×180 range, and captures the beautiful light visible in the early morning, creating stunning renders. This HDR was taken while waiting for the sun to rise above th trees for my Winter Sun – Morning HDR.

Test Render @ 8,192 samples

Lessons Learnt

I’m investigating ICE, which I use to stitch the panos, as it seems to be causing ghosting, I thought my tripod head was loose the first few times, but this time I made a POINT of keeping it solidly locked into position, and I am still seeing strange inconsistencies between the stitched brackets. I think I might give the Hugin pano-stitcher another shot as I have quite a few complaints with ICE.

Download The HDR Now

For more information on how to use this HDR, read the instructions and FAQ

Specifications:

• Licence: Creative Commons 0/Public Domain
• Dynamic Range: 22.38 Stops
• Camera: Canon EOS 70D
• Lens: Canon 18-135 STM
• Set EV: +12.14 @ 100 ISO – You can adjust the exposure after the fact if you need
• Coverage: 360 x 168.1
• Date Taken: 11/22/2015 7:58 – 8:06 AM
• Location: Northern United States

This HDR captures the full dynamic range of the sun. It has a few weak points in the stitching and merging; however, it is still quite useful for most purposes.

I was inspired to create this HDR by Greg Zaal’s Mpumalanga Veld HDR which also captures the full brightness of the sun. Most of my workflow is based on the one Greg Zaal shared.

Test Render @ 128 samples

Lessons Learnt

Keep a checklist of camera settings, I accidentally left auto white balance on, and had to correct it (Hurrah! for raw files)

Here is a quick checklist:

• Card In Camera
• No Lens Cap
• White Balance
• Media Format (turn raw on)
• Manual Exposure
• Brackets Correct
• shutter and f-stop
• Any Filters?