HDR...How?

[LanceHaynie]

I have a question, when it comes to HDR what is the process for this? My initial thoughts are take a few photographs about a stop apart from one another then do some fun blending in Photoshop.. But how?

[Corrie]

This is what I referenced when trying to learn it. I still haven't really gotten it.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/hdr.shtml

[LanceHaynie]

Originally Posted by Corrie

This is what I referenced when trying to learn it. I still haven't really gotten it.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/hdr.shtml

Wow thanks!! I didnt even know the Merge to HDR existed in PS.

[BrianY]

You're on the right track, a scene will often require multiple exposures to record all the detail in the highlights and shadows. Sometimes a stop apart is enough, other times it may be more, or less.

Once you have your shots, newer versions of Photoshop have the Merge to HDR feature that will combine the exposures for you. Older versions, you'll need to combine the photos into one psd file yourself and use layer masks to reveal the areas with the proper exposures.

There are also standalone hdr programs will give you additional control where you can more quickly fine tune the resulting blended exposure.

[LanceHaynie]

Originally Posted by byu

You're on the right track, a scene will often require multiple exposures to record all the detail in the highlights and shadows. Sometimes a stop apart is enough, other times it may be more, or less.

Once you have your shots, newer versions of Photoshop have the Merge to HDR feature that will combine the exposures for you. Older versions, you'll need to combine the photos into one psd file yourself and use layer masks to reveal the areas with the proper exposures.

There are also standalone hdr programs will give you additional control where you can more quickly fine tune the resulting blended exposure.

Thanks! I have Photoshop CS3 Extended (Though I dont think I need the Extended version). Its right in there, just never saw it before heh.. Thanks everyone for the help!

I have reading to do now heh.

[TXhummer2]

There is also Photomatix. Trey has a site here:
http://stuckincustoms.com/

Search TPF for HDR and you'll find plenty of posts.

[venchka]

I'm working with a series of exposures from 1998 I think. 3 handheld overlapping frames. I wasn't very careful to adjust the exposures and they vary a lot between frames. Scanned. Adjusted in Lightroom to -4 stops (for the sky), 0 and +2 stops for the shadows. I then stacked, stitched and blended with PTAssembler and TuFuse. Very nice early results. The messed up sky & clouds are now under control. A lot easier than trying to fix things in Photoshop.

PTAssembler

[SaSha]

Don't get frustrated if photoshop does not produce wanted results right off. It takes some extra work, for instance messing with the histogram in the tutorial. I have yet to get anything breathtaking using CS3. I plan to work on this soon.

I have read many places photomatrix is the choice of HDR'ers

[photonewb]

the site that I've been getting a lot of information in the form of video tutorials from is doing a series on HDR right now, check it out www.thedigitalphotographyconnection.com Click on the photoshop option and there's a weekly video about something in photoshop. I've learned quite a bit from there actually, and I'm still a newb

[dezignMedia]

Originally Posted by TXhummer2

There is also Photomatix. Trey has a site here:
http://stuckincustoms.com/

Search TPF for HDR and you'll find plenty of posts.

This is AWESOME and gives excellent results! Here's one of my first HDR shots using this tutorial:



Granted this is a 9 image HDR. But trust me... the Photomatix software is well worth the $91.

[gmarblestone]

agreed photomatix is SUPER easy to do HDR in....

This is 3 exposure hand held with my old fz20... first one i did



G

[venchka]

Sorry, folks, but to these old, tired, set in their ways eyes Photomatix output doesn't look real enough for my taste.

[coachE]

I use Photomatix. It is quick and very simple. You can adjust the levels to get the desired effect. I figure if I wanted a regular shot I wouldn't do an HDR. I do them as an artistic outlet. Kind of like playing in PS or LR.

[dezignMedia]

Originally Posted by coachE

I use Photomatix. It is quick and very simple. You can adjust the levels to get the desired effect. I figure if I wanted a regular shot I wouldn't do an HDR. I do them as an artistic outlet. Kind of like playing in PS or LR.

Ditto. I only do HDR as an artistic outlet.

[venchka]

Karen & Travis,

Fair enough. So, if a person wanted realistic wide dynamic range, what do you use?

EDIT to Add:

Besides Tmax + Xtol + #2 paper ?