"See the Light"

I joke now and again about HDR. I've even gone so far as to call it the "Dogs Playing Poker" of photography. This is quite a leap for me as I don't normally spend any time criticizing what others see as successful art. I'm a black and white kinda guy (in more ways than one), but art is the one place I've always believed is truly subjective. Truth is I see that subjectivity applying to HDR as well...it's just I see such (to my eye) horrible examples of it that I can't help but poke some fun.

In any case, if you're an HDR person, I hope you're secure enough in your convictions to withstand a little nudge now and again...if not, you'll want to mostly ignore me (I'll get over the pain).

I try to look at most of the photo links that stream by on twitter in a day. Many, many get by me, but certainly I look at dozens every day. It's entertaining and instructive to see what others see and how they want me to see it. I even look at links I know will lead me to HDR images. There is often something to learn, even if I don't care for the overall esthetics of a work. Well, today I found this piece, "See the Light" by Heath O'Fee. Now, I'm not picking on this image for any particular reason, it's just the one I happened to be looking at when I saw the light...sort of. 

The first thing I thought when I saw that image, the first thing I think when seeing many HDR images, was "Hey, that's got a lot going for it. Too bad it's HDR." I like the composition, I like the subject, I like what I believe is the light that must have been in the room (though it's tough to tell reality). What I don't like is the surreal quality that it shares with the vast majority of HDR images I've seen.

While looking at that image though, for some reason, it occurred to me...the thing I really do like about HDR. I really like the fact that Mr. O'Fee sought that location out, saw the potential he was looking for, set up a tripod, and carefully composed the image. After that, I imagine, his DSLR went off several times at different exposure values and he went home to realize his vision.

So, can you see what it is I like? I like the fact that the process is deliberate, it's thoughtful. The necessity of using a tripod means it must be so. You can't just wing it if you need multiple shots from the same exact perspective.  The "spray and pray" impulse so common in digital photography is by necessity put aside, at least for that moment. 

Mr. O'Fee is a young guy. The odds that his photographic life will be spent doing HDR are pretty slim. But, I think, the odds that he will do excellent, deliberate work, are perhaps much improved by what he is doing now...and THAT I like very much.

Comments

[Heath O'Fee]

I'm glad you've been stumbling onto my work every now and then, even if it's not your favourite style. I think you've made an important point here that is true, not only for HDR photography, but for any style. Taking the time to compose a thoughtful image should be something ALL photographers are doing. No amount of ridiculous post-processing will turn a poorly composed image into something spectacular.

Thanks for the mention...much appreciated.

Heath

[MikeOlbinski]

Great write up Steve...I've actually had another pro-photog tell me that I probably wont do HDR for a very long time, that it's probably a place a lot of new photogs start out in and then move on. He did that himself, so maybe he's right, who knows?

Not sure if you saw my image today, but it's HDR and lacks that "surreal" look...and is B&W. I'm just curious what you think of that when you look at it knowing it's HDR.

Because it's entirely possible to use HDR as a minimalistic tool to bring a bit more detail and then process it naturally.

Anyways, nice job today...honest, thoughtful opinion instead of the ridiculous bashing that happens a lot.

[Lorena]

Very true! Makes a chagne to see someone spell it out like that. :)