THE PHOTO:
This was taken at the end of a very long stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens here in Melbourne. My first time visiting and thoroughly impressed. I will be returning when the weather and season is better.

I had to wait to take this shot as a family beat me to the “temple” by a few seconds, and took their jolly good time taking a break.

This is an HDR, and I had no idea that it would turn out like this when I took it. I was actually trying to line up the lights of the MCG (just showing behind it).

POST-PROCESSING:
As you can see from different variants below, I went down a few paths – all most dictated by the result of the tonemapping after the generation of the HDR image.

This one wins pride of place for it’s 300 look (so I was told). There is WAY too much post processing going on here to remember, but there’s a few layers, lots of dodge and burn, color correction etc.

I’d be happy to hear what you think of this shot compared to it’s brethren.

Temple of the Winds – V2

Temple of the Winds – V3

Temple of the Winds – V4

EXIF:

• Aperture: ƒ/4.8
• Camera: NIKON D70
• Focal length: 18mm