Question
Often times I'm looking around and I find images that just seem to have this great balance and exposure to them that gives them such a stunning look.
I always wonder why I can never get similar results. Is it my equipment (I have a Canon EOS 40D, but only have kit lenses)? Is it my process of taking the picture (Do I not expose them properly)? Is it the post-process work (is there some magic involved?)? A combination of all three?
My best guess is that these are HDR images, but I can never get mine to look so authentic and crisp (they usually come out looking like plastic and slightly blurry. (Though I also use Photoshop's built in HDR processing, is there a separate program I should use?) Also, if it's HDR are there any awesome tutorials anyone knows of? I know it's a simple google search but there are hundreds of tutorials and I would question the quality of some.
Below are some examples of the images I mean:
Source: http://aureliecurie.com/
Answer
You are on the right track. HDR, along with a good set post production techniques will likely be the ticket.
If you only have kit lenses, you are limited by your equipment I would say. I would at a minimum step up to something like a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, or if you can spend the money, any Canon lens with a "L" in the name. A high quality lens does make a difference in giving you contrast, color, and sharp photos. The kit lenses offered with the Canon 40D do not really give that high quality in my opinion.
As another answer pointed out, Photomatix software for HDR images is probably the best offered, although Photoshop is not that far behind these days.
The images you posted are very stunning. I think a good eye, location, and post production went a far away in producing that "stunning" look. Go out and try to find a great location, shoot an HDR, and come back here if your results are not quite what you wanted, then propose a new question to us on how to get it closer to your desired result!
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