Fort Worth Skyline in HDR

[bburton]

Experiment: using a tripod, I took three exposures ranging from very light to very dark of each scene from the front steps of the Amon Carter Museum; then, Photomatix software "blended" the exposures into a single HDR (high dynamic range) picture which supposedly displays shadows and highlights more evenly.

[debba]

nice view........

[ShaneKislack]

Sometimes 3 exposures are not enough. I've tried up to 8-10 exposures with varying success.

[savitale]

Interesting, I did not know there existed software to do that. Based on the original images, how well do you think it worked? Are there more details in the highlights or shadows compared to the middle exposure?

[bburton]

Originally Posted by savitale

Interesting, I did not know there existed software to do that. Based on the original images, how well do you think it worked? Are there more details in the highlights or shadows compared to the middle exposure?

Good Question. I'm suspending judgment on this technique until I've experimented a little more and become better at using the software: "Photomatix" by HDR Software: http://www.hdrsoft.com/

My initial assessment of this particular skyline series, however, is that this technique does not add much because the lighting is already favorable, thus minimizing the harsh contrasts between shadows and highlights.

For comparison, here's a single color photo from the same vantage point at the same time and lighting with just normal software processing to adjust for shadows and highlights:

[PhotoByMark]

Bruce:

I have too have been experimenting with HDR as well as others on this site (TxHummer2 comes to mind). Some of my experiments have been good and some not so good. IMO, HDR has a more dramatic effect when the dynamic range of the scene is very large. That is very strong shadows and very strong highlights. For example, this same scene above at sunset with strong shadows on the buildings and strong sunlight on part of the buildings and trees. I would try 5 to 7 exposures about 1.5 to 2 stops apart for each shot and then do the HDR process and perhaps you will see the "HDR" effect a little more on the result file.

I do think the HDR shot above has a little more "Pop" than the original.

Good to see more people getting envolved with HDR as I hope more awareness will mean more tools will become available. Photomatix seems to be the most popular but there are other applications also. Artizen HDR is another HDR Application.