HDR Photography

[angie91937]

I had never heard about it until April and Lacey posted their September 30th picture. It looks like you have a software that allows you to do HDR pictures.

When I did a google search to learn more about it, it looks like in CS2 it allows you to do HDR Photography. Would you still recommend the other software? Or would it be ok to use CS2? I guess I should probably do more research.

This is the information I found: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...amic-range.htm

[April]

I would always recommend starting with a program you have or one that is free. Photomatix is more of the industry standard (from what I understand) for HDR, but that doesn't mean you will like it better. There is also another free program for HDR called Qtpfsgui you could try or just download the free trial of Photomatix to try that for comparison to Photoshop.

I took this picture last night. I am so excited about it! I'm still using the free version which is why it has the Photomatix watermarks on it.

[craftaholic123]

So I'm reading a book right now about HDR it's called HDR Photography by Pete Carr. He has examples in his book and lists a few different places that does HDR. The examples he gave where the photo was done with photomatix and photoshop was like day and night. Photomatix definately made the colors much more vibrant. I recommend this book it is great telling you what HDR is and how to achieve it. By the way April. Are you using a tripod, because the ones where I don't use a tripod are having trouble lining up. (mabye I'm too shaky.) Your photos look great and so do your photos.

[April]

You should always use a tripod, but honestly I didn't. I just set the camera against something to steady it as if I were using a tripod. Yesterday's example wasn't great because of that but it was close.

[Charm Lady]

My husband tried it once with a cool sunset. He took his three photos. During the time it took him to change the f-stops, the clouds moved. So, the photo didn't work out. Then, he checked and our camera actually has a setting that will take the three in a row without manually changing anything. You may want to check on your camera to see if there is a setting for it. Then you don't need the software.

Angie-That is a great description of it. Thanks for sharing.

[April]

Then you don't need the software.

Acutally, I don't think that is quite right. You have to take the three pictures regardless unless you want to try to fake it with a RAW camera file.

[craftaholic123]

Yeah, you definately need at least 3 photos, with three different exposure values, usually -2,0, +2. Some people do 5 pictures. That way you get the best light from each photo.

[principessa]

Originally Posted by Charm Lady

My husband tried it once with a cool sunset. He took his three photos. During the time it took him to change the f-stops, the clouds moved. So, the photo didn't work out. Then, he checked and our camera actually has a setting that will take the three in a row without manually changing anything. You may want to check on your camera to see if there is a setting for it. Then you don't need the software.

Angie-That is a great description of it. Thanks for sharing.

Your DSLR should do something called bracketing (I know the XSi does, I use it for sunsets). It lets you set the first exposure and then it will automatically adjust it one step above and one below for the other two pictures, that way you do not have to take the time to manually adjust it. The manual will tell you how to bracket. It is really helpful for sunsets since the light is changing so quickly.

[Wendy]

AWESOME photo, April!

[DLunk]

I just thought I would throw my two cents into this. I've found that for best results you need to take at least three pictures, as pretty much everyone discussed. However... If you are in a situation with movement, especially with people, you can sort of cheat. Photomatix (and I'm sure other programs do it as well, I tried with PS CS4 once and didn't like the outcome at all) has a built in feature to extract three different exposures from a single RAW file. I believe that most digital cameras today have the ability to save in RAW.

For example:
Before



After

[caulensmom]

Dlunk I love your outcome! I am still having problems figuring out photomatix. I dont get a decent result. I still need to get out and practice. One day I will get it!!! ONE DAY!!

[DLunk]

It takes practice. I didn't like most of the first ones I did, but now it's really fun. Two things I learned: The free Photomatix doesn't work well (which I guess they don't offer on their website anymore), and tone mapping takes a lot of fiddling to get it to come out how you want it. I wish I could tell you more about other HDR software, I just picked Photomatix and stuck with it, it seems to be what most people use.

[caulensmom]

Yes! The tone mapping is the part I dont know enough about to begin with. lol I will get this though.

[April]

One day I will get it!!! ONE DAY!!

You'll learn a lot about this at the retreat.

I love that picture DLunk. I think we should change your name to DFunkMaster.