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abandoned building in high dynamic range

Create High Dynamic Range Photos in 7 Steps

Posted on December 4, 2025December 4, 2025 by Spencer McDonald in Tips & Tecniques

High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is one of the most powerful ways to create images with rich detail, balanced light, and dramatic tonal range. Whether you’re capturing landscapes, architecture, or interiors, following a simple, repeatable workflow can elevate your results every time. Here are seven steps to help you consistently produce stunning HDR photos. 1. Set Up Your Camera Start with a sturdy tripod to eliminate movement between frames. Switch to manual mode, set a low ISO for clean files, choose an aperture that gives you the depth of field you want, and lock in your white balance. Consistency across frames is key. 2. Compose and Focus Before capturing your bracketed series, take a moment to fine-tune your composition. Use live view or your viewfinder to check leading lines, balance, and horizon level. Then manually focus or use autofocus and lock it so it doesn’t shift between shots. 3. Bracket and Capture 7 Frames (-3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3) Turn on exposure bracketing and set your camera to capture a full seven-frame sequence. This range ensures you cover deep shadows, midtones, and bright highlights—perfect for creating a rich HDR blend. Use a remote shutter or timer to avoid…

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High Dynamic Range Urban Photography in Boston and More

Posted on November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by Spencer McDonald in Urban Landscape

Our dream vacation… Boston, where you can capture some amazing urban photography surrounded by historic locations and buildings. My wife and I had never been to any of the New England states. This was genuinely a dream vacation. While in Boston, we saw many historic places. I captured a lot of photos around Boston. Some were good, and as is the course, some were not so good. It happens. Here is my Boston Urban Gallery at Fine Art America, where you can see 27 of my best photos. On a walking tour, we visited the Granary Burial Ground, the Massachusetts State House, the Old South Meeting Hall, the Old North Church, the Old State House, and Paul Revere’s House. We walked all over Boston. We saw many awesome and historic places. Many of these historic places played a key role in the Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams. Ultimately, the Sons of Liberty ignited the American Revolution when they had a Boston Tea Party at Griffin’s Wharf and tossed the British Tea into the Harbor, thereby avoiding British taxation without representation. The best part of our trolley tour around Boston was Little Italy on the north end of town…

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Abandoned building in Emmett, Idaho

Abandoned Wheel Alignment in Emmett, Idaho

Posted on October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 by Spencer McDonald in Urban Landscape

My wife and I have been out to La Costa Mexican restaurant in Emmett, Idaho. La Costa is a 20-minute drive north of our home in Star, Idaho. It is well worth the drive for great food. Here is a link to the La Costa menu. I bring up La Costa because directly across the street is an old, closed-down Zamzow garden store. The architecture is withering, the paint on the building is chipping, and weeds are taking over the landscape around Zamzow. Directly behind the Zamzow is an abandoned white block building. Emblazoned across the top of the building are the words “Wheel Alignment” in faded black paint. It feels like something right out of the early 1970s. I enjoy finding great abandoned urban architecture like this one. Check out my Abandoned Places and Things gallery at Fine Art America. Many times, while going into the La Costa restaurant, I saw that building and have been planning on photographing it. Today, that plan has become a reality. I am happy with how this one turned out. Emmett is such a rich environment for fine art photography. You will find old city streets, industrial and urban landscapes, historic architecture, and…

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Recent Posts

  • Create High Dynamic Range Photos in 7 Steps
  • High Dynamic Range Urban Photography in Boston and More
  • Abandoned Wheel Alignment in Emmett, Idaho
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