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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Landscapes w/ Moon ; HDR Software advice please | |
Hi All,
I am just getting back into photography after a 5 year layoff, and I know the game has changed a lot with HDR. I don't have any desire to go down the hardcore HDR trail (and know many debate the realism of heavily processed images, myself included). But I do see how it could lend some value to one of my favorite subjects: landscape photos incorporating the moon.
My experience in the past was that there is a *very small* window each day (generally less than 20 minutes) during which the sky becomes dark enough to provide a moon with nice contrast to the sky, and where there is also enough light remaining on the landscape to include it meaningfully in the shot. Specifically, the day before the full moon at sunset, and the day after the full moon at sunrise. Other similar times near the new moon. The same challenge applies with exposing for sky scenes and trying to get the moon and clouds exposed properly in the same shot.
In this regard, I think HDR might help me, in that I can combine shots so that I can have a more optimal exposure for the landscape (or clouds) at dusk or dawn (which will leave the moon blown out), and a proper exposure for the moon (that will have the landscape too dark).
One of the specific challenges for HDR for my purposes, is the fact that the moon moves very quickly through the frame, particularly when using a longer lens, such that the time between taking the requisite multiple exposures needed for HDR will leave the moon ghosted. I realize there are ways to blend exposures in Photoshop, but my skills with it are not strong, and in the past I had limited success in coming up with something that looks *realistic*.
My desire then for HDR software is one that
- is easy to use, and *not overly time consuming* (this is where PS scares me!)
- will be able to deal with the fact that the moon will be moving across the multiple exposure (and allow me to handle it without an undue amount of processing time)
- will enable me to have images that look realistic, and not gaudy or over processed (I know this is in my hands as well and how I use the software)
Currently I have LR5 and CS6. Maybe they are all I need with some pointers in the right direction? I understand two of the oft suggested programs are Nik HDR Efex, and Photomatix. I have done some forum searching (here for example https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1182024/0). That thread suggested HDR Efex 2, however the current website doesn't clarify version (http://www.google.com/nikcollection/products/hdr-efex-pro/) and it seems like a big package with a bunch of extras I wouldn't need for my purposes. I know they mentioned handling ghosting, but the moon will be a giant white orb when using a long lens - can they handle it?
Sorry to be such a noob. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Here are a few photos from the "old days". Just processed using LR.
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