Impressive and easy HDR on a smartphone

I've previously shown some images that I've taken on my smartphone and they're ok but, in almost all circumstances, I would prefer to use my SLR. The smartphone comes in handy for a quick snap or a test shot but usually I feel I'm missing out on both quality and features.

However, I'm really impressed with the HDR feature on the Galaxy S3. With no more effort than selecting an option it produces a decent HDR image in one hit. To achieve the same results on my SLR I have to mess around with exposure bracketing and complicated editing to achieve the same results.

Here are a couple of quick snaps that are unedited/untreated save for reducing the image size.

First the normal shot:

Then the HDR:

This shows the real use of the HDR function on the smartphone - getting a more acurate image in difficult light conditions. The bottom photo is far closer to how my eyes perceived the scene at the time.

Whitby Harbour with Split Tone Effect

This started off as a decidedly average colour photo of the harbour walls in Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Astute readers of this blog may have noticed that often the image editing techniques I use are intended to rescue a poor or uninspiring photo.

I converted this to black and white and then used a split tone effect to add the colours. It uses a yellow to blue gradient which resulted in the sunset like sky.

The processing took away some of the detail as you can see on the edges of the lighthouse but it works well enough for a postcard sized print.

Roseberry Topping - The inspiration for Captain Cook

Roseberry Topping is a big rocky lump that rises out of the valley floor and offers a fantastic 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside. Situated at Newton-under-Roseberry, North Yorkshire it is said to be the inspiration for Captain Cook to become an explorer. H eused to climb to the top as a child.

I can certainly see how this would inspire someone to want to travel and see more fantastic sights.

I'm afraid that my image doesn't really do it justice as it only shows the view from one side at the top. The light was going so you can't see how far the patchwork of fields went on for. Also it looks quite still in this picture but at the top the wind whips around you quite fiercely and you have to be careful not to be blow off.

So all I can do is to recommend that if you're ever in the area (only about 10 miles from Middlesborough) take a trip to this fantastic place in an idyllic setting. You won't be disappointed!