University of Maryland Campus - HDR

These are my first attempts on high dynamic range (HDR) photography.
HDR basically strives for a more uniform exposure of bright and dark areas in a photograph. This is done by taking multiple photos of the same scene with different exposure times (i.e. exposure sets) and using a software (I use "Photomatix Pro 4.1") to combine these sets to a single image. In simplified terms, the software will increase the brightness of the darker areas (such as a dark hallway in the foreground) and decrease the brightness of the bright areas (such as a bright sky in the background), which will increase detail and allows to project a wider range of the original radiance of the scene. This process is called tone mapping.
The strength of this effect can be adjusted in the software and can lead to dramatically different results, anywhere from an interesting surreal "plastic" kind of look (which often reminds me of computer game graphics) to beautiful natural looks with vibrant colors and added detail.

Here we go:

Sundial in front of McKeldin Library

Testudo, the University of Maryland's diamondback terrapin mascot

Maryland Terps Football Stadium, heavily back-lit