On the question of HDR software, I'm struggling to find a FOSS (Free and Open Source) HDR program for linux that actually works. I've seen exposure blending in GIMP suggested, so I'm gonna try that when I've got a bit of time.
Today I visited the newly rebuilt and rearranged Wien Museum, which was great fun -- but more of that another day. It is right next door to the Karlskirche (St Charles Borromeo Church), which was lit up when I emerged just after 6pm -- closing time!
Some of you may recall a photo I took of this building in June. You can just see the museum on the left hand edge.
Took my tiny little EF 40 f2.8 pancake for a spin on the S5 new years eve. It's a little marvel when you consider the size and weight, and what it can produce. This was beautiful
This too
Just playing around checked how the adapted 40 worked with a bit of movement. Not too bad. Not great, but somewhat usable
When I was a kid there were a few locals in my district who had hotrods. Every now and then they would have different ones, which I later discovered were short term swaps / borrows. I remember seeing one of these "gangster" cars, as I used to think of them, and being totally enthralled by it.
In my early teens I got into surfing and I used to imagine rocking up to the beach in something like the orange one, roof rack and boards on top... 😁
For the specific photo I was working on, a single RAW file combined with a gradient exposure mask in darktable pretty much did the trick. I'm still looking for a dedicated HDR solution, though. The lower half of the photo (raised shadows) was quite noisy. Darktable has fairly good noise reduction, though it's certainly not AI.
I got mine set up too. I had a little trouble because I missed the step about pushing down the two little blue clamps behind the print heads until they clicked into place, but once I had that figured out, I was good to go.
I couldn't get wireless set up either, so, like you, I'm using the wired connection. I prefer that anyway for my home computer. Tomorrow, I'm going to see if I can get wireless set up on my phone and tablet. I'll also try printing out a couple of photos too.
Yes, we have to push down on those blue clamps on the back side of the print heads. Yesterday I printed out a few more photos with plain paper (but I had to instruct the software that I was using plain paper from the cassette). So far, so good. I'm glad you figured it out. I hope my tips for you helped out. When I first got the printer, I could not see the LAN port. But there it was...all covered up with the while/gray plastic piece. I got it set up for more than one machine. One time the setup software said it could not detect the printer on the network. So I shut off the printer and started it again and then pushed the cables in more firmly. I don't know what I did, but then it worked and all the drivers were installed.
I like your landscape photo. Great job! Keep trying different things. So far what I've learned is creating a HDR photo is not always easy, either with software or in-camera. But I think no matter what we do, often we can see improvements in situations where there is a high dynamic range.
The Karlskirche does look impressive at night. Especially with the large circular pond just outside. The students sit around the edge and enjoy the warm summer nights there.
Here's a Phone picture from when I visited my son this summer with the reflection of the church in that pond,
Half an hour later it started to rain, which is great for more reflections in the wet streets :-)
Thanks for sharing with us your photos. The second photo is my favorite, with the reflections on the wet pavement. I don't take pictures with my cell phone, but I have been saying how improved they have become over the years. The second one also looks similar to my HDR photos of buildings at night. But I have to wait for the motion to stop for about 2 or 3 seconds since I take three photos in succession for it.
For as long as I can remember, I've always loved checking out hotrods. Going to the local drag strip, watching them race, going to shows and events, loved it all. It's changed a little bit I think in the last 10 years or so, a lot more older enthusiasts compared to years ago, when it seemed more younger person oriented. I think there's also been a corresponding increase in the amount of $$$ tied up in the cars too. I've always found the scene to have a really good atmosphere too. I go to one event every year, where the town closes off the streets from around 4pm? on the Saturday night for quite a few hours for the hotrods, they get a huge crowd, and you've never met or mingled with a happier, good natured bunch of people. You can physically feel it. Just a happy, enthusiastic bunch of people enjoying themselves. And not a cop to be seen. No drunks, dickheads or violence. I've seen giant heavily tattooed men pull up in their cars, motion for young kids watching to hop in for a spin around the block, and off they go, the kids beaming with happiness. Thoroughly thoroughly enjoyable.