Experiments in HDR (High Dynamic Range) Imaging: 2007

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Alderney's Train, and Fire Direction Post

On weekends, the only train in the channel Islands runs. It only has two stops, Braye & this one, the Mannez Quarry.

On the top of the quarry is the Nazi "fire direction post", which the locals call "The Odeon"

This is a 3 exp hand held HDR

View On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Alderney's Train, and Fire Direction Post on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Navigation Beacon - Alderney

This is the Navigation Beacon on the small inner wall of Braye harbour. The sky looked soo good behind it, I had to...

This is a 3exp hand held HDR

View On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Navigation Beacon - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

J. Livingstone I Presume?

This Seagull was standing on the top of the old inner inner wal at
Braye Bay. He seemed to be posing for a shot! Look large to see him at
his best! The Gulls here in on Alderney are the size of small dogs!
(Not really but they really are BIG!)

View LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

J. Livingstone I Presume? on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Wildflowers - Alderney

A change of pace now.

This field of flowers seems to be for the bees (notice the hives). I
have never seen as many contrails than I have seen since moving here!

The Village of St. Anne is in the distance. This is not an HDR

View LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Wildflowers - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fort Tourgis Courtyard - Alderney

Another shot showing the Courtyard. The Barracks, which we explored, is
on the right. The level we entered is the level below what you see
here. Anyone entering on the "easy level" and going to far in would be
likely to get a very sudden tour of the lower level, as we have seen!

Fort Tourgis, on the Channel Island of Alderney, was built in the 1850's, and is slowly decaying.

Look at the whole Fort Tourgis set here.

View On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Fort Tourgis Courtyard - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fort Tourgis Bathroom - Alderney

A bathroom, still with a bath! This is on the opposite side of the main
courtyard from the Barracks, in an area that looked a little less
Spartan. It is on a upper floor and was taken from a "safe" stone
doorway. It is surprising that the floor below the tub could hold its
weight! Note that there is still a pattern in the plaster on the wall
here.

Look at the whole Fort Tourgis set here.

View LARGE On Black

Fort Tourgis, in the English Channel was built in the 1850's

Fort Tourgis Bathroom - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Monday, July 2, 2007

Lighthouse & Fog Horn - Alderney

This is the Lighthouse & Foghorn on Alderney in the Channel
Islands, a fairly standard view. The lighthouse was built in 1912 at
Quesnard Point. and yes they ARE the foghorn amplifiers and YES it is
still in use!

You can rent it & stay in he light house, as it is run from Trinity
House, like most U.K. lighthouses, but you had best hope it isn't
foggy!!

Looks best LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Lighthouse & Fog Horn - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Water Tower - Alderney

This is the water tower in St.Anne Alderney. It was built by the Nazis during the occupation, and is still in use today.

It is made of super strong concrete and note that it has gunner positions built in, as it has a commanding view.

This is a 3exp HDR

For detail, view LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Water Tower - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Rusty Post - Alderney

This is one of the fishing boast moored in Braye Bay in the Channel Island of Alderney.

They appear to have a mascot ;-)

View On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Rusty Post - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fishing boat - Braye Bay - Alderney

This is one of the fishing boast moored in Braye Bay in the Channel Island of Alderney.

They appear to have a mascot ;-)

View On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Fishing boat - Braye Bay - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Tank Traps - Alderney

A stark reminder!

The tops of rusty tank traps poke out of the sand on the Channel Island
of Alderney more than 60 years on. The wall in the background is also
anti-tank fortifications from that era.

View On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Tank Traps - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

OId and New - War technology - Alderney

A stark contrast between 19th Century & 21st Century warfare technology.

A modern warship passes the ruins of the Victorian era Fort Les Homeaux Florains. Seen from near the lighthouse on Alderney.

Looks a lot better LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

OId and New - War technology - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Victoria Street - St. Anne - Alderney

Here it is!

The main street of Alderney at its busiest time. This is peak shopping time on Saturday morning!

All the buildings are shops etc. and the street curves up the hill. If
you look at it in "original" size you can read some of the signs.

View On Black

This was processed from a single RAW image

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Victoria Street - St. Anne - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

OId and New - War technology - Alderney

Flickr: Photos from neilsingapore123

Monday, June 25, 2007

The Anchor - Alderney

This is some detail of the incredibly rusty anchor that is outside the
shed in Braye Harbour, seen in the last photo. On this Island things
seem to rust wel!

It was so windy that I couldn't use my tripod & could not get
bracketed images that I could line up. This is a single jpeg image.

View On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

The Anchor - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Building near the harbour - Alderney

This old Shed near the harbour with the Anchor caught my eye as I
walked past it earlier. There was heavy cloud cover, but I thought the
rust colours were great.

When the Sun came out I went back & took some shots of it. This is
one of the results. The ropey old wood on the door looks good, so look
at it large for detail!

This is a 3 exposure HDR

'Building near the harbour - Alderney' On Black:

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Building near the harbour - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

A Cobbled Street - Alderney

Most of the streets in the town are cobbled. This one is near the Main
Street (Victoria Street - which is cobbled too). I liked the way it
vanished down the hill.

This is not an HDR

'A Cobbled Street - Alderney' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

A Cobbled Street - Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Inner Wall - Braye Bay Alderney (and self portrait)

This is a part of an ancient inner harbour wall in Braye Bay. The tide
goes out a long way here, and you can see the high water mark.

The colours in the low Sun were interesting. Note the green slime at the bottom too.

'Inner Wall - Braye Bay Alderney' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Inner Wall - Braye Bay Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

A House on the road down to Braye Bay -Alderney

I walk past this house on the way home from work each day, and the 3
textures of the building made me want to take a shot. the clouds were
kind at that moment too.

This one NEEDS to be viewed large to see the walls.

'A House on the road down to Braye Bay -Alderney' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

A House on the road down to Braye Bay -Alderney on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Alderney - Finally

Other than snapshots taken from the plane etc., this is my first "serious" shot of Alderney, in the English Channel.

I arrived here after almost 40 hours of travelling, and this is a few minutes walk from where I am living now.

These buildings, near the harbour, are all from the 18th Century and,
like all the building here, have a name. For example, the Aqua coloured
one in this shot (the furthest one) is called "Aqua"! It also has the
date 1733 engraved on it's front.

I took this one on the day I arrived, and now have taken some more shots, but am too busy to get to them propely..

Watch this space.

'Alderney - Finally' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Alderney - Finally on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Tilt Shifted - Surfer's Paradise

Whilst sitting in Southampton airport waiting, I played with some of
the images I took on the Gold Coast. Mainly they are poor because of
the weird colours from the glass & the strong Sun.

Anyway I thought this tilt shifted image worked well enough, so I thought I would upload it.

Watch out for my first shots of Alderney... Coming soon!

Please look at my Interestingness page

Tilt Shifted - Surfer's Paradise on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Paradise in the Sunset - Gold Coast

The setting Sun illuminates some of the tall appartment buildings near
Surfer's Paradise, Queensland. Seen from a few Kilometres away.

I am currently at "home" on the Gold Coast for a couple of days, and
found some time to snap this. I was trying to get Sunset shot of the
Worlds Tallest Apartment building (Q1 - 323Meters) but I was not happy
with the results. I may try again, if time permits.

Looks FAR,FAR better LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Flickr: Photos from neilsingapore123

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Orchard Road Clouds - Singapore

Goodbye Orchard Road! A final visit to Orchard Road with the camera today.

Most people think of the crowds in Orchard road. We these are the
clouds! This is looking up the middle of Scots road from the overpass
to "Far Easter Plaza". There are a lot of new Condos being built very
close to Orchard at the moment

'Orchard Clouds - Singapore' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Orchard Clouds - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Cranes - Not a storage yard! - Singapore

Goodbye Orchard Road! A final visit to Orchard Road with the camera today.

This is NOT a crane storage yard! This is the construction site right
on the corner of Scotts rd & Orchard, the main shopping area of
Singapore. I don't know how they swing these!

'Cranes - Not a storage yard! - Singapore' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page 

Cranes - Not a storage yard! - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Bishan Skyline

I caught the MRT from Bishan for the last time today. They are setting
up a fair near the new construction, and I took this shot of the
Skyline & scene.

Typical Singapore sky for this time of year here too.

'Bishan Skyline' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Bishan Skyline on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 5

I am leaving Singapore for good on a couple of days. I have spent many
hours in Bishan Park, and today I spent some time near Sunset there,
for the last time.

On Saturday afternoons fishermen descend on the lakes in droves.

The way the setting sun illuminated the trees was really impressive
here. If you look at the full size image you can see the way the
bracketed images have captured this guy's casting action ;-)

note: I may not get a chance to comment on my friend's photos for a little while

'Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 5' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 5 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 4

I am leaving Singapore for good on a couple of days. I have spent many
hours in Bishan Park, and today I spent some time near Sunset there,
for the last time.

On Saturday afternoons fishermen descend on the lakes in droves.

This is a sort of stage area, where concerts etc.. are performed.

note: I may not get a chance to comment on my friend's photos for a little while

'Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 4' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 4 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 3

I am leaving Singapore for good on a couple of days. I have spent many
hours in Bishan Park, and today I spent some time near Sunset there,
for the last time.

On Saturday afternoons fishermen descend on the lakes in droves.

In this shot you can see Some HDB blocks (public housing) and condos in the background.

note: I may not get a chance to comment on my friend's photos for a little while

'Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 3' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 3 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 2

I am leaving Singapore for good on a couple of days. I have spent many
hours in Bishan Park, and today I spent some time near Sunset there,
for the last time.

On Saturday afternoons fishermen descend on the lakes in droves.

In this shot you can see parts of the nearby Temple.

note: I may not get a chance to comment on my friend's photos for a little while

'Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 2' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 2 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 1

I am leaving Singapore for good on a couple of days. I have spent many
hours in Bishan Park, and today I spent some time near Sunset there,
for the last time.

On Saturday afternoons fishermen descend on the lakes in droves.

In this shot you can see the Stupa & roof of part of the nearby Monastery

note: I may not get a chance to comment on my friend's photos for a little while

'Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 1' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Goodbye Bishan Park - Singapore 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Sunday, June 3, 2007

A park for only buses to walk in?

This Is the MRT (Train) tracks at Jurong East in Singapore.What I liked
about this scene was the sign! A park for buses only :-) There is one
just about to go & play.

This was taken from under the Station. & is a 3 exp HDR

'A park for only buses to walk in?' On Black

A park for only buses to walk in? on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery -Singapore

The Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Singapore is apparently
the largest Buddhist Monastery outside China!. Here part of it is seen
in the low light of the Sunset on the day before Vesak Day. A
procession thousands of people taking 3 steps then kowtowing was just
starting. That continued through the entire night.

The size an design of these buildings is truly impressive!

You can see the beginning of the procession HERE

'Have a peek LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery -Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Monks from the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery - Singapore

A close up of two of the Buddhist Monks leading the procession around
the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. There is a group of hundreds
of people following. They all take 3 steps & then drop all the way
to the ground.

This is in honour of Vesak Day (also known as Buddha Day).

It is extremly hot & humid in the Equatorial climate and this is hard work! If you look LARGE On Black you can see the sweat on the Monks!

You can see a wider shot of the scene & more people HERE

Please look at my Interestingness page

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Monks from the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Monks at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Singapore

This group of Buddhist Monks lead the procession around the Kong Meng
San Phor Kark See Monastery. There is a group of hundreds of people
following. They all take 3 steps & then drop all the way to the
ground.

This is in honour of Vesak Day (also known as Buddha Day).

'Monks at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Singapore' On Black

There is a study of a couple of the Monks HERE

Please look at my Interestingness page

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Monks at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Shop Houses - Front - Arab Street Singapore

The back alley behind some of the colourful "shophouses" in Singapore's
busy Arab Street. This was taken early on a Sunday morning, before the
bustle.

There is a photo of the front of these shophouses

Note the "Sultan Mosque" in the distance.

As I will be leaving Singapore permanently soon, I want to share some of the sights.

I bet you didn't know that this would look a lot better LARGE On Black!

Please look at my Interestingness page

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Shop Houses - Back - Arab Street Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Shop Houses - Front - Arab Street Singapore

The front of a couple of the colourful "shophouses" in Singapore's busy
Arab Street. This was taken early on a Sunday morning, before the
bustle.

There is a photo of the back of these shophouses.

As I will be leaving Singapore permanently soon, I want to share some of the sights.

I INSIST that you view this LARGE On Black ;-)

Please look at my Interestingness page

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Shop Houses - Front - Arab Street Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Ngee Ann City

The Imposing polished brown marble of the Ngee Ann City Building looms over the Orchard Road area in Singapore.

This is a very large shopping centre with two office towers, right in the heart of Singapore's main Shopping district.

3xp Hand held HDR

'Looks much better LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Ngee Ann City on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Clouds looking out - Singapore

The clouds in the Singapore Sky are reflected from the windows of this tower that is atop the Wisma Atria In Orchard Road.

For anyone interested, the building reflected in the bottom right corner is the Mandarin Hotel

This is a 3exp Hand held HDR

See more detail LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Clouds looking out - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - Singapore

A part of the VERY impressive architecture of the brand new "Buddha
Tooth Relic Temple" in Singapore's Chinatown. The size of this
structure is also impressive.

As usual, looks better LARGE On Black

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I am trying a few experiments with older images. This is an attempt at an Orton image. These are two magnificent trees close to Bishan Park in Singapore. The intertwined branches and aerial roots look like a gateway.

The Brand new "Buddha Tooth Relic Temple's" traditional lines contrasts
with contemporary Asian architecture. The New temple is to be opened
tonight for the first time (19th May) in Singapore's Chinatown

'Traditional vs. Contemporary - Singapore' On Black

Traditional vs. Contemporary - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

ORTON trees - Singapore

I am trying a few experiments with older images. This is an attempt at
an Orton image. These are two magnificent trees close to Bishan Park in
Singapore. The intertwined branches and aerial roots look like a
gateway.

'ORTON trees - Singapore' On Black

ORTON trees - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Chinatown Sacred Cow - Singapore

A Sacred Cow looks down on Chinatown crowds.

The Significant Hindu "Sri Mariamman" Temple is in the Chinatown area
of Singapore, and like many Hindu Temples here, it has wonderful Cow
statues lining its' walls. This one, with it's attendant tree sapling,
looked calmly down at us as we transacted business with a stall holder
in the busy street.

'Chinatown Cow - Singapore' On Black

This is a 3exp HDR

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Chinatown Cow - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Statue Looks out Over the Andaman Sea

This statue, that is part of a gateway, looks out across the Andaman Sea from Karon Beach, Phuket Thailand.

This is a 3exp HDR

Looks best On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Statue Looks out Over the Andaman Sea on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Dawn above the Golf Course - Singapore

The rising Sun lights up the clouds above the Singapore Island country
Club golf course, reflected in the waters of the Lower Pierce Reservoir.

This is another of the shots I took on my expedition in the dark to the
Lower Pierce on the 5th of the 5th. The other side of the lake is a
golf course, some of which, as you can see on the right of this photo,
is still quite densely forested.

It does look best LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

Dawn above the Golf Course - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Technorati Tags: HDR Singapore Dawn Water

Monday, May 7, 2007

Morning Fishing - Lower Pierce Reservoir

The (painful*) day I went to the Lower Pierce Reservoir for Dawn shots,
there were a couple of people fishing. All the people doing Tai Chi are
behind me (with chanting, fans & swords!). The low rays of the
still rising Sun were lighting up the jungle around the water with a
beautiful orange glow.

* Read why it was painful here!

Please look at it LARGE On Black

Morning Fishing - Lower Pierce Reservoir on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Technorati Tags: HDR Singapore Fishing

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Bishan Park Singapore - Pre Dawn

On my way to take dawn shots at the Lower Pierce Reservoir, I walked
through Bishan Park, in the dark. One of the lakes looked so peaceful,
I had to stop & take some shots.

I actually slipped down a path whilst carrying the camera on the tripod
just after this, (it was still dark) and grazed my knee badly, but I
didn't drop the camera! When i got to the Reservoir, and the Sun was
up, a number of the "Tai Chi" people there offered "plasters", as I had
blood running down my leg! My answer, " Thanks, but photos first, then
I will clean it up!" ;-)

This is a 3 exp HDR - long exposures at that!

'Bishan Park Singapore - Pre Dawn' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Bishan Park Singapore - Pre Dawn on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Technorati Tags: Singapore, HDR, Sunrise

TaiChi at Lower Peirce Reservoir - Singapore

This is for "24 hours of Flickr", and represents my day on the 5th of the 5th.

I was up before dawn, and walked to the Lower Pierce Reservoir for some
dawn light shots and still air. When I arrived at dawn, there were
about a hundred people there doing Tai Chi, facing the water! I could
not get the shots I had planned without them in the frame. It was
disappointing, but I managed to get some good shots of them, here is
one.

I think this one represents the scene & the feel.

'TaiChi at Lower Peirce Reservoir - Singapore' On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Please look at my Interestingness page

TaiChi at Lower Peirce Reservoir - Singapore on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Technorati Tags: Singapore, Tai chi, HDR

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Andaman Sunset 5 - Phuket, Thailand

The Sun setting over the Andaman Sea, as Seen from Karon Beach, Phuket,
Thailand. This is one of a series of photos I took of this Sunset on
the 26th April.

I love the way that the light behind the clouds in the foreground & middle distance make them stand out.

This is a 3 exposure HDR.

As usual, this looks MUCH better LARGE On Black

Andaman Sunset 5 - Phuket, Thailand on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Technorati Tags: Thailand, Phuket, Sunset, HDR

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Lower Pierce Sunset - The other side

The setting Sun illuminates the bridge to the intake, in the Lower Pierce Reservoir in Singapore.

The orange glow & the reflection off the metal on the side made an interesting view. This reservoir was built in 1912.

See this Sunset from the other side of the intake

Look at the details LARGE On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

Lower Pierce Sunset - The other side on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Technorati Tags: Singapore, HDR, Sunset

Andaman Sunset 4 - A final "wink"

The Sun seems to give me a final wink, as it sets with spectacular
colours over the Andaman Sea, seen from Hat Karon in Phuket Thailand.

I have other images of this sunset - this is the last one I'll post.. promise!

Have you seen it LARGE On Black?

Andaman Sunset 4 - A final "wink" on Flickr - Photo Sharing!