If you look closely you can tell I took this with my fisheye lens (a favourite), but the distortion is fairly well hidden--most obvious in the trees. I wanted to put the rather odd sculpture in its context beside a "good fortune" shrine.
Jessie, how nice to hear from you and learn that you are still around... In the couple of years I was away from Usefilm so many friends and associates have left. Is it just my jaundiced eye or has the general level gone downhill a little? I will visit your portfolio this afternoon, when I've finished my current job.
Wonderful Roger, you surely know how to tame your favorite fisheye, I wouldn't really notice it unless I read you about. How are you my friend, it's been a long time since I've seen your post, now I can start seeing Japan again through your eyes. A lot of your Japan photos stays in my mind. My neck problem is back and I lessen my time on the computer, good to know you are active again.. regards..
Your guess is as good as mine about the statue, Amitava! But about the HDR, essentially I just played with the Active D-Lighting and D-lighting retouch functions of my D300, bought just last week. They provide a very simple way of enhancing (or rather compressing!) the dynamic range, which really brings up the details in the shadows without sacrificing highlight detail.
You're right, the fish-eye distortion is barely noticeable. Wonderful shot of a very interesting statue in context. It looks like a sea serpent or dragon confronting a tiger in bamboo grove!
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