Boston Common in HDR infrared

Boston Common in HDR infrared, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

This is my first attempt to combine infrared pictures with HDR.

My experience with this is mixed.
- the IF pictures have a reduced color specturm. Thus, HDR has not so much to play with
- IF photos can have some weird color effects. This gets really hard to handle in the HDR process
- IF needs ca. 10sec per exposure. The HDR needs this three times. Thus, movement of clouds and leaves cannot be prevent.

In total, I like the result above. Although I must confess, that not everything was under my control. The blurry edges are from the inferior equipment I used (I needed to take the IF filter between two lenses). Although I didn't had the color completely under control ;-)

The Clock in Central Station

The clock in Central Station, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

This is my first attempt to use texture in my photos. Usually I'm not a big fan of such this art form, because it detroys usually a lot of information and make the picture grainy. But on the other hand, I have also seen very impressive results. I really don't have much experience, but texture techniques looks to me a bit like the challenge of B&W photography: You need to see in B&W (or here see the texture within the photo).

This photo is from a door clock at Grand Central in NY. Although I like already the original, I think the texture add a bit more to the picture. The texture is a sample texture by Trey Radcliff.

Technique: Nikon D90, F1.8, 50mm, 1/45 (was pretty shallow), ISO500, B&W with silver effex, Blending with texture softlight 60%,

Original photo:

The Sky above us

The Sky above us, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

It is funny how eager we are looking for great possibilities to shoot something interesting and if we would look up, we would see all the time a great target: the huge big sky, with it interesting colors and shading. It the prefect photo target and I thank god for letting me see it every day.

This was the view out of my window a week ago.

Technique: 3Ex+-2EV HDR, Nikon D90, 18mm, F18, ISO 100, Photomatic, Topaz Adjust

This is a dualtone interpretation of the same picture made by a gradient filter. Really fascinating how much control you have over the picture with this tool.

Boston Back Bay at Night

Boston Back Bay at Night, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

At night most cities develop a very unique atmosphere. All the artificial light shades develop a special light composition. Especially if your home town has a skyline.

Technique: 3Ex+-2EV HDR, F11, 30sec, ISO 100, Photomatics, Glamour Glow,

Nice Video with my winter shots by PIX in Motion

Nuances d'Hiver :: Shades of Winter from Leo Bar PIX IN MOTION on Vimeo.

Winter around Boston and New England - A magical time, full of shades, peace, nuances and surprises.

Photographs: Justin Morgan, Steven Erat, Werner Kunz and Leo Bar 
Music: Oiseaux Tristes by Ravel, piano by Felipe Sarro

Fire for the Cold Winterdays

Fire for the Cold Winterdays, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

Something for the cold days. Fire is an interesting element. I'm all the time complete captured to look into it, when I'm sitting close by one. And I can sit for hours there and watch the play of the light.

Sun over Amsterdam

Sun over Amsterdam, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

Some cities are just beautiful and romantic. Regardless how much you try to avoid this stereotypes. When you see all the grachts, the calm water, and nice boats in Amsterdam, you automatically get romantic feelings. Try it, when you are once in the region ;-)

Japanese Sweets in New York

Japanese Sweets, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

Japanese people are well known for their love for packaging nice gifts or decorating things. Thus, it is not surprising to see how wonderful theses sweets are crafted.

I found theses in a Japanese store close to the fifth avenue and around 45st. I can highly recommend you to visit this store, when you are in New York. Although it is a bit expensive, to see the nice small art is alone worth a visit. And watching is free ;-)

further perspectives:

Brooklyn Bridge at Night

Brooklyn Bridge at Night, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

Some architecture is just timeless beautiful and an art itself. Regardless how many people have already pictured it or made a photo. This shot was made on my last trip to NY. I couldn't resist to make this this exposure.

Tech: 3Ex+-2EV, HDR, photomatic, F5.6, 6sec, ISO 100, Topaz Adjust, Glamour Glow

Boston Common in Infrared

Boston Common in Infrared, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

It's time for a new infrared shot. This was one of the last opportunities for me in this year. The Boston Common was nicely green and the sky blue. I would guess the first will disappear more and more ;-)

The Praying Children

The Praying Children, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

The best photos you get, when you got the chance to shot something that is unusual and different how you would expected it.

These are stone statue that were dislocated in front of a fence because there is restoration work to do. I don't know the original location of theses statue but think the actual position is powerful enough. What do you think this picture means?

Technique: HDR, 3EV+-2EV, f5.6 (best I could get from my lens in this situation), 105mm, 1/125, ISO 250, dual-tone with sepia, vignette

Siegestor in Munich at Night

Siegestor in Munich at Night, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

What the Champs Elysees and the arc de triumph is for the people in Paris is the Ludwigstrasse and the victory gate for the people in munich. (Pretty likely it was also copied from Paris). I worked there at this place during my study times and it was all the time nice for me to cross the street exactly at this point day and night ;-)

Emperial Garden in Boston

Emperial Garden in Boston, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

Boston is also a great place, because you are in contact with a lot of different cultures. Right in the middle in Boston Town town is an old Theater, that host an very famous Dim Sum restaurant of the Chinese community.

I hope you can feel the atmosphere of this place in my place.

Technical details: 3EV DRI, 1/10-1/45 (people are 1/45), f3.5, ISO 1600 (it was very shallow and I needed to shot quick to not disturb anyone, no chance for a tripod), tonemapping, color contrast, noiseware.

At the University in Munich (Day)

At the University in Munich (Day), originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

I really love Munich. It is a very beautiful city with a lot of nice weather over the year and the chance to ski in the Alps at the weekend. I worked several year in that town and on the pictures you see the area where my office was. Isn't that great ?

here also at night.

Dark Sun over Boston

Dark Sun over Boston, originally uploaded by Werner Kunz (werkunz1).

Some of you have seen my moon pictures over Boston. Because of the incredible high dynamic, it is most times a challenge to shot the very lighty full moon over a cityscape and see every detail.

If you ignore the details of the moon you get also a very nice effect. The moon looks more as a very dark soon that only powers on 1/8th. Because of the long exposure also all kind of lights of the city get into the sensor. I like it.

a little bit earlier and with detailed moon: