The Smashing Book is a printed book about best practices in modern Web design. The book shares technical tips and best practices on coding, usability and optimization and explores how to create successful user interfaces and apply marketing principles to increase conversion rates. It also shows how to get the most out of typography, color and branding so that you end up with intuitive and effective Web designs.

I have received my copy of the book today and thought of trying to shoot some photos of it. I also wanted to try the NKRemote software which i can install on my Lenovo S10, connect the Nikon D90 and shoot the photos remotely from the laptop. Which makes it very very easy to adjust the focus as it supports the Live View too.

To check out more about the book please visit: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/12/03/smashing-book-its-out-now/

So here are few shots i wanted to share..

And in the making..

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Sundowners bar in Bandos Island Resort & Spa. The light you see from the bar is from candles.

Location: Bandos Island Resort & Spa / Maldives

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Visiting Maldives, K.Guraidhoo, originally uploaded by nattu.

For the first time.. The Island of Guraidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives

The South Most inhabited island in Male Atoll, is situated in South Male Atoll about 14 miles from Male. The island has naturally deep reef adequate for a harbour.

This is a naturally beautiful reef, which is a deep truqoise, and is a popular unofficial marina for the safari yatchs. More information about this island. Visit here: http://www.kaafuatoll.gov.mv/islands.asp

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In computer graphics and photography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) is a set of techniques that allows a far greater dynamic range of exposures. HDRI was originally developed for use with purely computer-generated images. Later, methods were developed to produce a high dynamic range image from a set of photographs taken with a range of exposures. With the rising popularity of digital cameras and easy to use desktop software, the term “HDR” is now popularly used to refer to the process of tone mapping together with bracketed exposures of normal digital images, giving the end result a high, often exaggerated dynamic range. ( Wikipedia )

“In contrast, our eyes, have an ability to see an astounding range of lights and darks. And that’s where so many casual photographers go wrong. When they trip the shutter, they expect to get back what their eye saw. Problem is there eye is usually seeing much, much more in the way of dynamic range than their cameras can record.” ( .. VeniceBlog )

Softwares that can do your job.

• Artizen 2.5.6 ( supportingcomputers.net ) Price: 59.99 CDN
• EasyHDR 1.22 ( easyhdr.com ) – Price: 25 EUR
• FDRTools Basic – for Mac ( fdrtools.com ) – Price: Free
• HDRShop ( gl.ict.usc.edu/HDRShop ) – Price: Free
• Photomatix Pro – for Mac / Win ( hdrsoft.com ) Price: 99.00 USD
• pfstools – foor Unix / Mac / Win ( mpi-sb.mpg.de ) Price: Free

How to create HDR image with PhotoShop

Beautifully Done HDR’s

For HDR inspirations, you might want to browse some. Here are some beautiful HDR’s I have seen on Flickr Interestingness.

Was It Done With a Lens, or a Brush? an article featured on New York Times about HDR, featuring some of the works by Kris Kros (Joe Dejesus).

HDR’s done with Photomatrix on Flickr: View All

HDR photos on Unique Maldives Group on Flickr:

HDR Photos by Me.
I don’t get much time to experiment photography. Just have to be busy at what i do. But had sometime to create some of these.

HDR Food Photography.

Its sometimes interesting when you change the subject. Suppose for an object then a scenery. Objects that you can play with. Move the way you want. Heidi Swanson on 101cookbook shared her views on HDR Food Photography. She have already got a group called “HDR Food Photography” on Flickr.com for those who want to share their HDR Food photographies.

Few HDR Shots from HDR Food Photography Group

When Its gone bad. I mean really bad

Creating your worst hdr is sometimes a hard work. May be you play with the saturation too much. Here are few i have seen fits the exact same thing which i am thinking out here. There is also a group on Flickr to submit your worst HDR’s.

Find More About HDR..

- HDR Tutorial: How to create ‘High Dynamic Range’ Images Using Photmatrix
- HOWTO: Fake HDR Photos in Photoshop
- AMAZING HDR of Times Square: This One’s Sick!
- See How Easily You Can Create HDR Photos (Ultimate guide)
- HDR Photos of an Airplane Graveyard
- Unique Photography – HDR a collection
- HDR Tutorial – Focus on Clouds
- HDR related video’s on YouTube

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