Venice Photos in HDR

So I told ya’ll that I was messing around with some new photo editing software and ideas. I haven’t had any internet for the last few days, I have been fooling around with it some more. Fair warning — these are highly doctored photos, but thought that some of you might actually enjoy them.

My mother has a great artistic sense and has done a fair bit of painting in her life. These shots probably represent what talents she wished I had inherited from her, since I can’t paint to save my life.

One of the things I love in the world, that simply does not exist in enough places in the States, is the culture of sidewalk cafes. Here is a “painting” of the cafe scene by the canals of Venice.

This one is a little sloppy, but I am learning how I need to actually shoot these photos, so I can funk with them afterwords. So try to ignore the “ghosting” and haziness of some of the objects, if you can.

28 thoughts on “Funky Venice Photos”

Audrey July 17, 2011 at 9:57 am

They look like watercolors! I really like the look of the canal in the second photo.

Michael Hodson Post author July 17, 2011 at 10:07 pm

Thanks! That is the effect I’m going for in that particular tweek effort.

Cam @ Traveling Canucks July 17, 2011 at 11:30 am

I like them! Very fairy tale

Michael Hodson Post author July 17, 2011 at 10:08 pm

Venice can be a fairy tale place… if you avoid the Plaza San Marco area and the hordes of tourists!

Dalene Heck July 17, 2011 at 11:39 am

AH! I can’t wait to get to Venice. Very cool photos, they definitely do look like watercolors!

Michael Hodson Post author July 17, 2011 at 10:08 pm

I really love Venice, but it is a really hit or miss city for most people on the love/hate scale.

Mary Jo Manzanares July 17, 2011 at 3:31 pm

I was in Venice just a few weeks ago and these really capture the feel of the city. What software editing program were you using?

Michael Hodson Post author July 17, 2011 at 10:09 pm

Photomatix Pro for these shots.

Maggie July 17, 2011 at 6:16 pm

I love sidewalk cafes! We need more of them in the States….and everywhere else that doesn’t have them! 🙂

Michael Hodson Post author July 17, 2011 at 10:16 pm

I know — I sooooo wish we’d embrace this culture a lot more in the States.

Annie July 17, 2011 at 9:35 pm

I really like the way you’ve edited these! Which editing program do you use?

Michael Hodson Post author July 17, 2011 at 10:14 pm

Photomatix Pro.

bethany July 17, 2011 at 9:55 pm

Looks cool Michael! Have you tried one in BW yet?

Michael Hodson Post author July 17, 2011 at 10:15 pm

I have messed around with black and white a bit… will definitely post some in that format also.

Jeremy Branham July 17, 2011 at 11:08 pm

Not a big fan of Venice but I actually like these! I might go back and visit this Venice. Who can resist a pastel city like this? 🙂

Priyank July 18, 2011 at 4:51 am

Neat, especially the reflection in water.

Roy Marvelous | Cruisesurfingz July 18, 2011 at 4:58 am

I like the first one better. Very nice!

Daniel N. July 18, 2011 at 5:51 am

Michael, I hate you for doing this! 🙂
But I can’t blame you, we all do it first when we discover the software but you’ll end up realizing that less is more.

Nomadic Samuel July 19, 2011 at 8:26 am

I agree, I went overboard with some of my edited shots a year ago and now I just look back at some of these and shake my head…LOL
- Michael Hodson Post author July 23, 2011 at 9:14 am
  
  Ahhhh, I’m not going to do this very often. Not a look that I am a huge fan of, but some of the vibrant colors in Venice lend themselves to going over the top…. occasionally.

The Travel Chica July 18, 2011 at 10:42 am

Cool effects. Are you going to share your editing secrets?

Debbie Beardsley July 18, 2011 at 1:04 pm

I really like these! They make me realize I need to get more into photography. First I need to make or find the time 🙂

Globetrottergirls July 18, 2011 at 1:09 pm

Love these images – well edited 🙂 Would hang them in my living room. Can’t wait to read more about your trip to Venice, I imagine the town is packed at this time of year (although your images do not show this at all).

Michael Hodson Post author July 23, 2011 at 9:18 am

Thanks! And yes, there were scads of people there. I tried to avoid the main tourist areas and also went to town before most people were up and above (before 8 am).

Giulia July 18, 2011 at 4:29 pm

Wow I love them! I have no idea how you do that!
great effect!!!

Nomadic Samuel July 19, 2011 at 8:26 am

I like these shots – could be paintings. At first, I thought maybe you used a preset from LR but noticed from your comments it was Photomatix. Anyhow, nice creative shots. I agree with Daniel though that it’s fun to make these from time to time, but certainly not exclusively.