SINGLE IMAGE HDR:

HDR photography is not always a product of three to seven separate images.  Nor does it have to be overdone to loose the effect and value of the hdr.  The image above was taken during a visit to my home town in Kansas.  Having been there previously I knew there was the likelihood of a potential nice landscape image at sunset, not to mention a high probability of catching a fish or two.

Shortly before this image was captured on a nearby field they started burning some native brush.  This gave the perception of a gathering storm and gave texture to the sky.  As I was ready to start shooting the big fish struck.  My host Glen quickly came over to reel in the fish.  With a slight reposition to the right I was able to capture this image as the fishing rod was bent over lined up with the cloud formation from the fire.

In postproduction I brought the files into Lightroom.  I made two virtual copies and then adjust them to give three distinct images for the highlights, midtones and the shadow detail.  After merging them and adjusting them in Photomatix we had the sunset, fishing shot and a thank you print for my host.

My other work can be viewed at: www.zwink.com