Yes it is the Lever House, again, and the Hello Kitty statute I previously featured is still there. Yesterday’s post surprised a few people, according to the comments. Until they read the text, they presumed that the bokeh was created using a tilt-shift lens. In fact, it was created with a Nikon 135mm f2.0 prime lens. As I noted yesterday, I think regular bokeh is under-used in HDR shots. I believe people were fooled, in fact, because we’ve been conditioned to think tilt-shift automatically when we see mixed focus images in an HDR. Given that the Nikon 24mm PC-E (tilt shift) lens runs for about $2,000, yet you can get a 50mm f1.8, which produces fantastic bokeh for about $120 in the Nikon version and about $99 in a Canon model, photographers should probably acquire a fast 50mm prime first. Then, if you have a fast 50, or some other length fast prime lens, use them in situations you might not normally consider. They are not just for portraits.
This image is straight out of Photomatix, with only I believe a slight Definition slider adjustment in Aperture. It never went to Photoshop or any third-party filters. I’m pleased that I did not feel it necessary to pile on additional looks and effects. Photomatix did a nice job, including allowing me to fix a very cool blue white balance.
Jim Denham
25 Oct 2010Looks great Mark! I do like my 50mm also, but the crop factor on my camera limits it’s usability on most HDR shots. However, the shots I have used with it were GREAT, at least in my mind!
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Heath O'Fee
25 Oct 2010I love this shot, Mark. The colours are amazing, and the shallow depth of field is perfect…very well done!
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Kevin
8 Mar 2011Great DOF and perspective shot ! Well done and you’ve my vote for this shot on coolphotoblog from France for you ! Great photographer talent on your portfolio !
Mark
10 Mar 2011Thanks for all the great comment Kevin, and for the vote!