iPhonography :: The HDR Really Works!

I was demonstrating what HDR processing can do for an image during a class I was teaching yesterday at Saints Volodymyr & Olha Church in Chicago.  I was delighted to see that the HDR development setting on an iPhone 4S camera does actually improve the image in the way High Dynamic Range image processing software is supposed to.

These images were taken inside the church, hand-held, no image enhancements other than the HDR setting on the iPhone. Usually if you expose for the inside of the church, the windows go all white.  If you expose for the windows, the church interior goes all black.  With the HDR setting, you see detail in both the church interior and the windows.

Here’s the image without HDR.  See the white windows?

No HDR – White Windows

Here’s the image with HDR.  Ahh!  The windows have color and detail again!

With HDR – Colorful Windows

Thanks, Apple!!

I’ll be posting more insights into the magical iPhone camera soon.  Let me know if there’s a particular App or topic you’re curious about!

~~ Keep focusing on the beautiful!

Harry Hitzeman

Chicago Architecture :: Saints Volodymyr and Olha Church

SVOC Colors & Curves

There are three churches in my gallery now, and this one in Chicago is spectacular!

Saints Volodymyr and Olha Church is a beautiful church in Chicago’s Ukranian Village.  I was allowed to photograph from the choir loft.  I wanted to create a composition that would capture the dramatic curve of the choir loft railing and still include the beautiful view of the church windows, arches, and a huge radiant chandelier.

This image was developed using HDR software in order to balance the bright light of the stained glass windows and the darker church interior.

This is an example of the type of creative composition I will be teaching during a workshop on Composition in the Field at this church on March 3 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  Read more about this workshop online at Digital Photo Academy.

You can view more photos of this impressive church in this gallery — Saints Volodymyr and Olha Church.

New Mexico :: Georgia O’Keeffe Country

“Sun Kissed”

Tomorrow I’m heading over to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, to teach a week of Digital SLR Photography in Georgia O’Keeffe country. I look forward to spending time in that most beautiful landscape, sharing this passion with a new group of participants.

Arches National Park :: Delicate Arch Trail

Here are those six more Wonders of the World (of southern Utah) I promised you.  Clicking on each photo will open a new window to the gallery where you can view it in full-screen slide show mode.  ENJOY!

Peace and light,

Harry

“Lighted Ruins”

“Monumental Sunset”

“Gears of Time”

“Monument Valley Last Light”

“Totem Pole Rock”

“Delicate Arch Trail”