Multiple exposures, editing turn snapshot into art
A dark alley is the kind of thing that can be threatening or charmingly inviting. In the case of David Neesley's portrait of a downtown Naperville pedestrian passageway, the visual effect is stunningly deceptive.
Ivy-covered brick walls that appear to be illuminated by street lamps and moonlight were actually photographed in daylight - around 2 p.m. - the Naperville photographer said.
An experienced photographer with experience working as a sound man in movies and television, Neesley said he created his scene with a series of shots taken in high dynamic range.
"Five images were taken sequentially, one perfect exposure, and two overexposed and two underexposed. This captures the entire dynamic range of the gray scale, which is 236 shades of gray between black and white," he said. Using an HDR software, these images are composited and the light, shadow, hue, tone, saturation and more are adjusted to manipulate various area of the picture."
The resulting image, dubbed "Pizza Alley" by the Naperville photographer, is the October winner of the Daily Herald's Photo Finish contest. For his efforts, Neesley will receive a $50 gift certificate for PJ's Camera in Glen Ellyn.
Neesley said he took the photos with a Nikon 800 E, using a 36 megapixel sensor, and achieved the desired effect with a photo editing application called Photomatix.
The photo shoot itself took about 10 minutes, he said, but the editing process took much longer.
"I spent a lot of time on the lighting, the detail, the shadows, the color on the walls," he said.
The starry sky was added, supplanting the actual bright daytime sky hanging over the alleyway as viewed from its south end. The alley is located on the north side of Jefferson Avenue, between a hair salon and a Mexican restaurant.
"That's the fun part about doing this," he said.
Neesley said altering shots to realize a vision is his specialty.
"There's art and then there's snapshots," he said.
Neesley said he got started early in life with photography.
"I started shooting pictures in high school in 1968. I shot for the yearbook and then I starting shooting rock 'n' roll bands," he said. "I've always had my hands on a camera."
About our contest
If you'd like to submit a photo to our contest, email it in .jpg format with at least 300 dpi resolution to dupagecontest@dailyherald.com. Be sure to include your name, address and a phone number, plus a description of where you took the photo, why you like it and what challenges you faced. The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate from PJ's Camera, Pickwick Place Plaza, 662 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn.