HDR and Exposure Blending
Yesterday, I created a few images using exposure blending. Exposure blending works by taking several pictures of a scene at different exposures (typically changing the shutter speed) and blending the best parts of each image into one image. I used a program called HDRtist Pro, which can produce both HDR and exposure blended images. The difference between HDR and Exposure blending is that HDR uses mathematical algorithms, while Exposure blending can be done manually in Photoshop.
I took about 5-7 pictures with different exposures for each shot. If you use an SLR, you probably do not need so many (3 or 4 should be fine). Below are the two best results I got.
Originals
Final Composition
Originals
Final Composition
Interior design: monochrome
As I’ve looked at different ways to decorate and design the interior of a room. One thing that I’ve found very important is to pay attention to the contrast of brightness and darkness. Just by looking at this, you can control a lot about how a room feels without even giving it any color. As I mentally plan an artwork, (interior design, digital graphics, web etc) I typically seem to start off with a monochromatic base, and than add color. This helps in being able to visualize the contrast, without being distracted by color. It also allows one to be able to add color sparsely which enhances the emotional effect of the colors added. For example, the image below is a good example of a white, minimalistic base, (being the walls and floor) and adding color through the decoration.
This next image introduces a little bit more contrast. The darker values make the room appear more balanced, and the several textures and shapes make the eyes work a little more to observe all the different details.
This final image has much more dark values in it. The blacks give the room a sense of power, but it also seems to shrink the size of room. (compared to if it was white) The lighter values doted throughout help to keep proper size perception.
I guess the general trend is that contrast allows for the viewer to focus on what you want them to focus on, without being distracted by other things. Using color in moderation also allows for this to happen.
Isaiah 41:10
I was affected this morning by the Isaiah 41:10 in a new way. “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God…” God highlighted the phrase “I am your God” to me this morning. God is saying, don’t be afraid. He says this a lot in the Bible, but in this verse, he gives a reason: For I am your God. Those who are trusting in the finished work of Christ to make them good, do not need to fear because El Shaddai, the Almighty God is their God.
Anything we read in the Bible that tells us more about the character of God, more about our Father. That is who has saved us, and caught us from running to Hell where we deserved to be. He has died so that his wrath on sin would be taken on himself rather than on us. And then, he puts his perfection on us. He puts his spirit in us to help us to be more like him, and He is always present with us.
This is the God who says, “fear not, for I am with you”.
Color and Interior Design
Recently, I’ve been fascinated by color. Both in it’s presence, as well as it’s absence. I enjoy being able to analyze the emotional response of myself and others to certain hues, and color schemes. One fun application for color theory analysis is looking at interior designs. I’ve found that because interior design works with our surroundings, it seems to have more of an emotional effect on a person. A parallel would be listening to music through headphones versus listening to music in a orchestra hall. -The music can have a more emotional effect on a person because it surrounds your audible “field of view”. By learning to analyze color, you can begin to “compose” a certain feel that you would desire for that room.
In the above picture, using wood and yellow tints on the walls gives a warm feel to the room.
The green plants, dark wood floors and big windows give a natural and clean earthly feel, while the white walls add to the purity and clean look. The sum results in a feeling of happiness, cleanliness and freedom.
You’re smart enough to be dangerous, just not smart enough to be safe. -Andrew Koiro
I took both these photos out my window with a Canon PowerShot SX200 IS
Retouching done with Pixelmator
