Oil refinery at sunset

The below HDR image was produced with Photomatix Pro 4.0.2 from three original JPEG pictures taken with bracketing exposures at +2, 0, -2. The final image was from iPhoto 8 version 7.1.5.378.


Clyde Refinery, Shell Refining Australia at Camellia, Sydney, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/6.3, 8-1.3 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, HDR, 16:9, 20:09 19 February 2011
Image level adjusted.
The Oil refinery, Clyde Refinery, is located at Camellia, Sydney. The site is described as a delta area where Parramatta River meets Duck River with a bridge at the east side that extends Silverwater Road from Silverwater north to Rydalmere. The pictures were shot at the middle of the bridge. The Refinery site has a road frontage to the nearby streets and is bounded to the north-east and south-east by the Parramatta River and Duck River respectively, and with plenty of lush, green trees surrounding the delta. The park in foreground in the image is Silverwater Park which is located against the site across Duck River.

As per an environmental assessment report found from a NSW governmental site, Clyde Refinery is the longest operating oil refinery in Australia. Due to substantial investment over the years, the Refinery is among the most complex of the seven refineries currently operating in the country. In 1908 the entire site was owned by the Commonwealth Oil Corporation, in 1913 John Fell & Co (a shale oil company) acquired the assets from the former. Shell acquired the site from John Fell & Co. in 1928 and the land use has remained the same to this day. Clyde Refinery supplies approximately 40% of Sydney’s petroleum requirements and about 50% of NSW’s needs. Clyde Refinery directly employs approximately 270 employees and 100 contractors and contributes AUD$60 million into the Sydney economy each year.

However, this was the first time for me to notice such a large chemical factory existing in Sydney area, though the site stands there for a long time and even could be considered as a historic industrial site, and even though I initially thought such a pollution producer normally should not stay so close to large population like great Sydney area.

Hobart at night

Today is Chinese New Year. After having dinner at somewhere on Salamanca Place in Hobart, Tasmania, a few pictures were taken while walking around the Franklin Wharf area. That's really a nice, quiet place to enjoy your moment.


Constitution Dock, Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania
Leica D-LUX4, F/2.3, 1.3 sec, 7.4 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, 16:9, 21:02 3 February 2011
Image level adjusted.


Sculpture Stephen Walker, Franklin Wharf, Hobart, Tasmania
Leica D-LUX4, F/2.1, 2 sec, 5.9 mm, ISO 80, Spot Mode, 16:9, 21:11 3 February 2011
Image level adjusted.


Elizabeth St / Macquarie St, Hobart, Tasmania
Leica D-LUX4, F/8, 6 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, 16:9, 21:46 3 February 2011
Image level adjusted.

Victoria Park in winter

This is a picture I shot five years ago today at Victoria Park in Regina, SK, Canada. That was the coldest place in the world that I have ever been...

The original picture was skewed in Pixelmator 1.5.1 for correcting minor distortion, then was processed using the Tone Mapping function of Photomatix Pro 4.0 in various enhancement effects including Deep, Smooth, Painterly, Grunge, and Black & White.

This was an experiment of using HDR software to enhance a single image, rather than multiple images in different exposures. Thanks to the new design of Preset Thumbnail Panel and Preview Window of Photomatix Pro 4, users may visually see the Tone Mapping results and adjust the effect instantly. That's a great user experience. The same work with the previous versions were painful, and that's why I chose to buy this version 4.


Image skewed, and enhanced in Deep and Smooth effect.


Image enhanced in Painterly, Grunge and Black & White effect.
War Memorial, Victoria Park, Regina, SK, Canada
Canon IXUS 50, F/2.8, 1/50 sec, 5.8 mm, ISO 50, Pattern Mode, 08:05 27 November 2005
Based on the last B&W image above, the following image was processed in Picasa 3.6.7 in turn to represent some of my personal feelings on that winter in Regina. Finally all images were published from Picasa as well.


War Memorial, Victoria Park, Regina, SK, Canada
Canon IXUS 50, F/2.8, 1/50 sec, 5.8 mm, ISO 50, Pattern Mode, 08:05 27 November 2005
Image skewed, level changed, enhanced in Sepia and Warmify effects, sharpened and cropped

Sydney Opera House at night

Sydney Opera House
Leica D-LUX4, F/2.8, 1.6~6 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 80, Spot Mode, -1, HDR, 16:9, 19:46 11 October 2010

Sunset at Scarborough Beach

Sunset at Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough, WA
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.0, 1/1300~1/125 sec, 13 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, -1, 16:9, 17:53 3 September 2010
Image generated by Dynamic Photo-HDR Trial, cropped and level adjusted

Sydney city at dawn in winter

Sydney CBD at dawn in winter, Australia
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/15~1/60 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, HDR, ±3/3, 16:9, 06:51 18 July 2009
Image skewed, cropped, level changed, curves adjusted, and sharpened

Different views to Opera House

The park chair in a historic stone archway against Opera House, Milsons Point, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/3.5, 1/400 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 14:31 13 March 2010


Just under Harbour Bridge, Milsons Point, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/1000 sec, 7.4 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 14:40 13 March 2010


The Olympic Drive under Harbour Bridge, Milsons Point, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/1000 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 14:41 13 March 2010


The Kirribilli Wharf against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/1000 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 14:49 13 March 2010


The stone bricks beside the Kirribilli Wharf against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.5, 1/1000 sec, 5.4 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 14:56 13 March 2010


The stone at the coast against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.5, 1/1000 sec, 5.4 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:07 13 March 2010


A cruise ship passing Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.6, 1/1000 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:09 13 March 2010


The stone at the coast against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/800 sec, 5.4 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:12 13 March 2010


The shells on the stone against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/800 sec, 5.4 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:14 13 March 2010


A boat passing Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.6, 1/1000 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:22 13 March 2010


The unit buildings on Waruda Street against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.0, 1/1000 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:23 13 March 2010


A boat cruising on Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.0, 1/1000 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:24 13 March 2010


A boat cruising on Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/1000 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:24 13 March 2010


The boats in Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.0, 1/1000 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 16:9, 15:28 13 March 2010


The unit buildings on Waruda Street against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.5, 1/1000 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:29 13 March 2010


The Chair outside Beulah Street Wharf against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.0, 1/640 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 16:9, 15:32 13 March 2010


The Chair in Beulah Street Wharf against Opera House, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.0, 1/500 sec, 7.9 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:36 13 March 2010


A boat cruising on Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.6, 1/800 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 16:9, 15:37 13 March 2010


Flowers on the waterfront of Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/6.3, 1/1000 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:41 13 March 2010


Flowers on the waterfront of Sydney Harbour, Kirribilli, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/1000 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 15:44 13 March 2010

Sydney Darling Harbour at night

Sydney Wildlife World & Sydney Aquarium
Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/500~1/30 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 80, HDR, ±2EV, 16:9, 19:40 29 December 2009
Image skewd, cropped, resized, sharpened, and level changed


Historic Vessel
Leica D-LUX4, F/2.8, 1/60 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 16:9, 20:17 29 December 2009
Image skewd, cropped, resized, sharpened, and level adjusted


Pyrmont Bay Wharf
Leica D-LUX4, F/2.2, 1/80 sec, 6.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 4:3, 20:19 29 December 2009
Image skewd, cropped, resized, sharpened, and level adjusted


Darling Harbour Wharf & Sydney CBD
Leica D-LUX4, F/2.2, 1/100 sec, 6.8 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 16:9, 20:21 29 December 2009
Image skewd, cropped, resized, sharpened, and level adjusted


Sydney CBD & Sydney Tower
Leica D-LUX4, F/4.0, 1/8~8 sec, 8.8 mm, ISO 80, HDR, ±3EV, 16:9, 20:43 29 December 2009
Image skewd, cropped, resized, sharpened, and level adjusted


Historic Vessel & Sydney CBD
Leica D-LUX4, F/2.0, 5/8 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 400, HDR, 16:9, 20:51 29 December 2009
Image skewd, cropped, resized, sharpened, and level adjusted

Upgraded to D-LUX 4 firmware Ver 2.1

Just upgraded the firmware of my Leica D-LUX 4 to the newly released version 2.1. According to the official release notes, "the exposure compensation and the auto bracket compensation can now be set up to ±3EV." This is a feature that I have been waiting for a long time.

Additionally, a standard "HIGH DYNAMIC" feature has been added to scene mode with this version.

Below are two HDR pictures testing the differences between ±1EV and ±3EV under the same low light condition and the same AWB setting, each directly generated from three auto-bracket shots by Photomatix Pro 3.2.6 using its default settings. No any other modifications.


Download the original
Leica D-LUX 4, F/2.0, 1/15 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, ±1EV, 3:2, HDR, 21:22 14 December 2009


Download the original
Leica D-LUX 4, F/2.0, 1/15 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, ±3EV, 3:2, HDR, 21:23 14 December 2009

Sydney Opera House at dawn

Sydney Opera House at dawn
Leica D-LUX4, F/5.0, 1/250 sec, 12.1 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, HDR, ±3/3, 16:9, 06:56 18 July 2009

HDR daylight test images

I took three groups of AEB shots using my Leica D-LUX 4 when I walked over an small church and a TV tower in Artarmon at about 10am this morning. It was a fine sunny morning with very good clear visibility and a nice blue sky, so I reckoned that was a good time to test daylight photos for HDR (High Dynamic Range imaging).

All the test photos were taken using A mode (Aperture Priority), AWB (Auto White Balance), Multi-segment Metering, Multi-zone AF, and Auto Bracket from -1 to +1 EV in 3 stops.

Tonight I generated the HDR images from the above pictures to see how HDR daylight images look like. Here we are, click to download the images in original size.


Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/100 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, ±3/3, 3:2, 09:38 3 July 2009


Artarmon Chatswood South Uniting Church, Artarmon, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/100 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 80, HDR, ±3/3, 3:2, 09:38 3 July 2009


Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/125 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, ±3/3, 3:2, 09:42 3 July 2009


A transmission tower for Seven, Nine and Ten Networks,
operated by TXA in Hampden Road, Artarmon, NSW (Northwest View)
Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/125 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 80, HDR, ±3/3, 3:2, 09:42 3 July 2009


Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/125 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, ±3/3, 3:2, 09:42 3 July 2009


A transmission tower for Seven, Nine and Ten Networks,
operated by TXA in Hampden Road, Artarmon, NSW (Northeast View)
Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/200 sec, 12.8 mm, ISO 80, Pattern Mode, ±3/3, 3:2, 09:45 3 July 2009
The HDR software used for this test is Photomatix Pro 3.1. Here are the settings used for generating the three HDR images. Additionally, all images were sharpened using its built-in utility. No other effects applied.

Settings of Generate HDR

Align source images: By matching features
Don't crop: No
Reduce chromatic aberrations: Yes
Reduce noise: Yes
Attempt to reduce ghosting artifacts: No
Take tone curve of color profile: Yes (recommended)

Settings of Tone Mapping

Detail Enhancer - Strength: 70
Detail Enhancer - Color Saturation: 70
Detail Enhancer - Luminosity: 0
Detail Enhancer - Light Smoothing: High
Detail Enhancer - Microcontrast: 0
Detail Enhancer - Tone Settings - White Point: 0.1
Detail Enhancer - Tone Settings - Black Point: 0.1
Detail Enhancer - Tone Settings - Gamma: 1
Detail Enhancer - Color Settings - Temperature: 0
Detail Enhancer - Color Settings - Saturation Highlights: 0
Detail Enhancer - Color Settings - Saturation Shadows: 0
Detail Enhancer - Smoothing Settings - Micro-smoothing: 0
Detail Enhancer - Smoothing Settings - Highlights Smoothing: 0
Detail Enhancer - Smoothing Settings - Shadows Smoothing: 0
Detail Enhancer - Smoothing Settings - Shadows Clipping: 0
Tone Compressor: All default settings

It is quite obvious that HDR images are impressive compared with their original photos. They correctly represent the blue sky and the subject details at the same time, with the lovely shadow and greens. It shows HDR should be beneficial for sunny daylight photography as well, especially for representing building shadows and highlight details.

For example, the following images clearly demonstrate the differences of the highlight details in HDR and their original exposures. Click to view the images in 100% size.



However, for the details in dark in a HDR image, such as the walls and the waste bag in shadow in the church image, noise is still obviously noticeable even under ISO 80. Click to see the partial image in 100% at right. Nevertheless, it is better than nothing compared with the dark block in that shoot of "correct" exposure without bias.

Finally, I did a little enhancement to the first HDR church picture in Picasa 3, straightened, a bit more shadows and highlights added, and a bit more light filled to the whole image, in turn to make the little church look more lovely. Please bear with the waste bag and the black tree top at right, this is a test image only. :-))

Additionally, please notice the tree top at right, it shows obvious halos along the edge compared to the original images. That's a well-known problem for HDR images especially for the silhouette areas.


Artarmon Chatswood South Uniting Church, Artarmon, NSW
Leica D-LUX4, F/8.0, 1/100 sec, 5.1 mm, ISO 80, HDR, ±3/3, 3:2, 09:38 3 July 2009