2 Questions: HDR and Filters

foodpoison

foodpoison

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Sean
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I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but this is where I thought it best suited it.

1.
I have seen some really amazing HDR shots, and really like the style of them, the only problem is, I'm not quite sure how to do them. I tried doing an HDR shot pointing outside on a bright day. I took the standard shot (the one the camera set in its programme) then I did 3 half/double shots/brackets either side of the standard. I put it in to photoshop, and basically, my problem was that the clouds had moved, and various other things had changed.
Now, my question is, is there any way for the camera to automatically take the shots in several seconds, rather than putting it into manual mode and changing the settings myself?

2.
I'm looking to buy some filters.
Both my lenses are 58mm, and I don't intend on buying any more lenses for a while. Basically, what I want to be able to do is have long shutter speeds during the day, without the image over-exposing, which I think is an ND filter.
Also, I'm going skiing during the winter, and would like a filter to make the colours a little darker and prevent everything from getting washed out, which I think would be a circular polariser, but I'm not an expert on filters. What would you recommend?

Thanks :thumbs:
 
1. Not that I know. It only takes a few seconds to change the settings yourself, doesn't it?

2. Yes, Circular Polariser. I have one for each of my lenses and they do exactly what you ask for, and even more when shooting something with reflections. :)
 
Did you set it to auto exposure bracket? sounds like you did it manually? have a read of Pete's HDR guide (link below) you can fake a HDR from one RAW file :)

HDR guide
 
foodpoison:

1. yes your camera can be setup so it brackets three exposures one after the other. I will try and dig out some more info for you, its in your menu as AEB though ;) (basically press menu, got to the second menu along and its the top option, press set on it then press right and you will see one green dot stays in the centre, ones moves left and one moves right) then the next three shots you take will expose under/over to the amount you specifiy there. You still can get some sky change etc though as 3 frames on the 350D isnt as fast some of the higher end cameras.

2. Correct on the ND filter thats what it does :) though if you are planning on shooting is very bright daylight you need a strong filter ;) A circ pol will only fully at certainly angles to the light. I havent mastered this yet, some others on here know the details and will hopefully post soon ;)
If you are looking to buy filters there is always lots of debate on here about which are better etc, I personally use Cokin Filters and have never had a problem with them, some people talk of magenta casts (and also claim that Cokin NDs arent true NDs) - all I know is , they dont break the bank and for me they work REALLY well :D
 
Jimmy, just had a play with the settings. The aeb (i'm assuming it means auto exposure bracketing) is pretty good, thanks for that.
Also, Hawker, that HDR tutorial is really good cheers.

Can anyone recommend and point me in the direction of an ND filter and a circular polarising filter?
Thanks.
 
foodpoison said:
Jimmy, just had a play with the settings. The aeb (i'm assuming it means auto exposure bracketing) is pretty good, thanks for that.
Also, Hawker, that HDR tutorial is really good cheers.

Can anyone recommend and point me in the direction of an ND filter and a circular polarising filter?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Sure... Kerso aka Ian - member on here. PM him for prices... he's top notch.
 
im using a screw-on 77mm +8 nd filter (couldn't afford the layout for cokin atm) and the difference is astounding. I'm now able to shoot landscapes using nice, long exposures and the results are terrific.
 
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