Colors at sunrise

Today I would like to share a photo taken during sunrise on Fuerteventura Island.Technical details:Camera: Canon 50DLens: Canon 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USMFocal length: 24 mmAperture: f/11.0Exposure time: 8 s ("middle" exposure)ISO: 400Number of exposures: 5E.V. Step: 1Flash used: noTripod: noFilters: ND8 neutral density filterTechnique: manual blending, luminosity masksSoftware: Magic Lantern 2.3, Lightroom 5.0, Photoshop ...

Walking by the stream

Today HDR photo from Koscieliska Valley in Polish Tatra mountains. As you can see there are quite a few people in the frame. Normally I would try to get rid of them but in this case they add a sense of scale to this image and therefore I decided to leave them.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IILens: Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS USMFocal length: 24 mmAperture: f/8.0Exposure time: 1/250 s ("middle" exposure)ISO: 100Number of exposures:...

Before/after comparison: Colourful sunset

Time for another before/after comparison + some post processing details (for more go here). This time a sunset photographed in Masuria region, Poland.I took 7 exposures at 1 EV spacing, merged them to HDR and tone-mapped in Photomatix Pro (which is Before). Then I edited my image with luminosity masks technique in Photoshop CC (After).In the image below you can see what layers I used to create final image. Starting from bottom...

Jetty at sunset

Today a HDR photo of a jetty taken during late sunset.Technical details:Camera: Canon 50DLens: Canon 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USMFocal length: 12 mmAperture: f/18.0Exposure time: 4 s ("middle" exposure)ISO: 100Number of exposures: 7 E.V. Step: 1.0Flash used: noTripod: yesFilters: noTechnique: HDR, tone-mapping, luminosity masksSoftware: Magic Lantern 2.3, Photomatix Pro 4.2.7, Lightroom 5.0, Photoshop CC...

Beginner's HDR photography tutorial. Part 1. Why do we need HDR?

Ok, so here it is. The very first part of my HDR photography video tutorial! In this part, which is a very brief introduction to HDR photography, I'm giving some reasons why HDR is sometimes essential.Next parts where I will show you how to process photos in Photomatix, how to get rid of various artifacts and finally how to post-process tone-mapped photo are on the way so stay tuned!So without further ado here is Part 1 of my...

Welcome to Oia

Today it's time for a HDR photo from Oia, Santorini. Oia is one of the most picturesque towns I've ever been to, even despite the fact it takes just a few minutes to go from its one end to another. Yes, it's really that small. And crowded. And beautiful at the same time.If you would like to learn HDR photography, read my free HDR tutorial.Technical details:Camera: Canon 50DLens: Canon 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USMFocal length: 10 mmAperture:...

Autumn in the forest

I spent last weekend shooting some photos in the beautiful region of Masuria, Poland. I took some wonderful sunset photos but not only. In the photo above you can see that I also took some macro images. I hope you like it :)Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IIILens: Canon 100 f/2.8 L IS USM MacroFocal length: 100 mmAperture: f/10.0Exposure time: 1/100 sISO: 3200Number of exposures: 1E.V. Step: n/aFlash used: noTripod: noFilters:...

Young tiger in the grass

Today I'd like to share a photo of young tiger from Warsaw zoo. It's a really beautiful animal and it was a great pleasure to photograph him and watching him playing.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IIILens: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS USMFocal length: 252 mmAperture: f/8.0Exposure time: 1/250 sISO: 250Number of exposures: 1E.V. Step: n/aFlash used: noTripod: noFilters: circular polarizing filterTechnique: n/aSoftware: Lightroom...

Vintage HDR photo from Heraklion and YouTube channel

Today I would like to share a vintage style HDR photo I took in Heraklion during my recent vacations on Crete. Hope you enjoy!Also please note that I finally configured my YouTube channel (which you can watch here). If you would like to watch video tutorials from me (and I now plan to release them more regularly, at least one every 2 weeks or more often) please do subscribe to it.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IIILens:...

Tutorial: using selective adjustments in Lightroom

Today I would like to share with you a new video tutorial I have just recorded. This time I present selective adjustment tools available in Lightroom:graduated filter,adjustments brush andradial filter (which was introduce in Lightroom 5)....

Thoughts: Specialization in photography

There is so much to do in photography. You can shoot landscapes, architectures, cars, real estate, portraits, fashion, weddings, tamed or wild animals, insects, stars, street scenes... whatever you want. Really - sky is the limit. The problem is that each of these subjects requires a bit different approach, technique and skills. And even different equipment.For example landscape photography is much about patience and strong will...

Evening walk

I took this photo last year in Dahab, Egypt while doing some landscape photography. It shows a family during an evening walk near the sea. The water you see in the picture remained there after high tide.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IILens: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS USMFocal length: 300 mmAperture: f/9.0Exposure time: 1/100 sISO: 3200Number of exposures: 1E.V. Step: n/aFlash used: noTripod: yesFilters: noTechnique: black...

Predator's approaching

Today a photo of a beautiful jaguar in Warsaw zoo. I decided to go with low-light to add more drama to this shot.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IILens: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS USMFocal length: 300 mmAperture: f/5.6Exposure time: 1/250 sISO: 400Number of exposures: 1E.V. Step: n/aFlash used: noTripod: noFilters: noTechnique: n/aSoftware: Magic Lantern 2.3, Lightroom 5.0, Photoshop ...

Masurian Sunset

Today I would like to share HDR photo taken in Masuria, Poland 2 years ago. Sorry for not writing anything more but I'm rather busy recently.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IILens: Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS USMFocal length: 24 mmAperture: f/18.0Exposure time: 1/8 s ("middle" exposure)ISO: 100Number of exposures: 5E.V. Step: 1.5Flash used: noTripod: yesFilters: noTechnique: HDR, tone-mapping, luminosity masksSoftware: Magic...

Resting horses

Another HDR photo from Polish Tatra mountains. Taken last winter on the road to Morskie Oko Lake (Sea Eye Lake) it shows horses resting after a ride with the tourists.I took this photo handheld because I had very long hike planned for that day and walking in the snow is rather tiring so I preferred to limit my equipment as much as possible. I do it from time to time as you might have noticed.If you're interested in learning HDR...

Smooth water

Today I'd like to share a long exposure photo I took last year on Fuerteventura island during one beautiful sunrise. The sea was really really rough as it was high tide. The waves hit the rocks with great anger splashing water all around me (and almost stealing tripod with my camera by hitting it directly). It was a really dynamic scene. But I had another idea for it. I decided that I would prefer something more calm and tranquil....

Crypt in HDR

Neo-romanesque crypt in Madrid once again. It's a really great place and I uploaded photos from there earlier: here, here and here. It's a small paradise for HDR photographers - great dynamic range, nice lights, beautiful textures. I could spend hours in there.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IILens: Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS USMFocal length: 24 mmAperture: f/8.0Exposure time: 4 s ("middle" exposure)ISO: 400Number of exposures:...

Colours of autumn

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons with some very nice warm light and beautiful colours. One of my favourite places to photograph it in Warsaw is Royal Baths Park (aka Royal Lazienki Park and Łazienki Królewskie in Polish). Trees covered in yellows, oranges and reds look really beautiful reflecting in numerous ponds and small rivers.I took above photo just a few days ago and there are still a lot of greens as it is just beginning...

Lake at sunset

Reflections. As you might have noticed they are one of my favourite subjects in photography because they add so much depth and interest to a photo. They can turn even a boring scene into interesting one. So here is one more reflection from me. There was almost no wind so there are just a couple of small ripples on the water surface making the reflection almost mirror-like.You can also download Photomatix Presets used for this...

The Monserrate Palace in Sintra

Today HDR photo I took in Sintra, picturesque town near Lisbon, depicting the Monserrate Palace. Built in 1858 by British Sir Francis Cook is surrounded by one of the most beautiful and magical English gardens I've ever seen. I could walk there for hours especially as this place doesn't seem to be very famous amongst tourists visiting Sintra.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IILens: Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS USMFocal length:...

Before/after comparison: Clouds over the city

Time for another before/after comparison + some post processing details. This time a sunset photographed in Warsaw. BTW I would be very interested if you prefer these workflow details in form of a video (like this one) or in a form of a short article like the one you're currently reading?I took 7 exposures at 1 EV spacing, merged them to HDR and tone-mapped in Photomatix Pro (which is Before). Then I edited my image with luminosity...

Warsaw - my beautiful city

Warsaw is a city where I live. Although it might not be the most beautiful city in the world (and also not the most beautiful in Poland) it's getting more beautiful year by year - at least from landscape photographer's perspective. A lot of tall and interesting buildings, nice Vistula river banks (parts of it are renovated right now). The main issue for me is amount of ads - they are virtually everywhere! There are 10 billboards...

Severe storm

One thing which you should notice today when entering my blog's main page is that I increased photos size there as well. They are now almost 20% larger compared to what they were! I still recommend clicking on the "Read more..." link as this way you can learn a lot more about a photo I share (not only EXIF but often also post-processing details or a story behind the shot). BTW you can always click on a photo to view it in even...

New (prototype) layout of the blog

It's the second time this year that I decided to change layout of my blog. I liked the old one but got a bit bored with it. One of the benefits of new template is that photos are slightly larger what should result in a better watching experience. I also plan to add a few completely new features.Please let me know your opinions. Please note that for a couple of days some things might be broken.Today photo is a single exposure...

HDR tutorial displayed 20.000 times!

I'm very proud and excited to announce that my free HDR photography tutorial, detailing whole process of creating HDR photo (from taking to processing in Photomatix Pro and making adjustments later) has now reached a total number of 20.000 views!As I mentioned some time ago, I'm currently in the process of planning new version of the tutorial as well as a series of video tutorials about HDR photography. Both of which will be...

Sunset in Tatra mountains

Here is another photo from Tatra mountains, Poland. I took it during sunset hence very warm and pleasant light. In the valley you can see Koscielisko town.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IILens: Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS USMFocal length: 28 mmAperture: f/9.0Exposure time: 1/320 ("middle" exposure)ISO: 640Number of exposures: 3E.V. Step: 2.0Flash used: noTripod: noFilters: noTechnique: HDR, tone-mapping, luminosity masksSoftware:...

City silhouette

I like capturing silhouettes during sunset and there are not many subjects that work as great as city architecture. Although Warsaw architecture isn't very high it still looks quite nice against warm golden sky.Technical details:Camera: Canon 5D MK IIILens: Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS USMFocal length: 105 mmAperture: f/14.0Exposure time: 1/250ISO: 100Number of exposures: 1E.V. Step: n/aFlash used: noTripod: yesFilters: noTechnique:...