Anyone playing with HDR?

[Matt Needham]

In the last few weeks I've been having a lot of fun with CS2's HDR feature, as well as a few other programs that deal with HDR files. I'm getting my best results from combining 5 or 7 exposures, shot of tripod, that are all about 1 stop apart. But recently I've been setting the auto-bracket to -2, 0, +2, and trying it hand held.

Here's a fairly straight shot. A single raw exposure from a 20D on Av at ISO 200. I adjusted curves and USM as I normally do.

[Matt Needham]

Here's the same image converted from an HDR file made with 3 exposures: -2, 0, and +2. Similar curves and USM adjustments as the above photo.

[Stemmy]

Talk us through how its done Matt. Ive heard it talked about but never done it.

[piticu]

You may want to give a chance at Photomatix software. In my opinion does a better job at convertin images from 32bits to 16 or 8. I use PS feature only for aligning photos.
you can see some hdr images here
http://www.popescoo.net/alin/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=343
http://www.popescoo.net/alin/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=341
http://www.popescoo.net/alin/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=335
(the above photos belong to my brother)

[StagePhotography.co.uk]

Clever thing....

I saw something like this in a magazine a few months ago,
which it showed you how to melt 3 images into 1 to
take account of highlights and darkspots...

Great if you're inside like a church with dark areas
windows and the likes...

I'll try and find it again..

:)

[tonymidd]

I tried the Photomatix and was not that impressed; the CS2 tool does a better job with less hassle.
The D200 has a feature that will blend two RAW files which I've yet to try; dam this leg!!!!!

[StagePhotography.co.uk]

I tried the Photomatix and was not that impressed; the CS2 tool does a better job with less hassle.
The D200 has a feature that will blend two RAW files which I've yet to try; dam this leg!!!!!

Come on Tony... Hop to it...

The S3 Pro has an option which you can melt two images..
Never tried it myself either...

But i think it's more for the "combines rock star singing shots"
where there's a close up and a far off shot..

[lostmysnorkel]

I was under the impression these features were akin to the 'Multiple-Exposure' modes on film cameras, never thought about using them like that though.

I suppose it means I'll have to go out and buy a D200 now to try it - *OUCH!* - erm, it seems that Mrs. Snorkel has just found mine and stuck it in my f-stop!

[tonymidd]

I was under the impression these features were akin to the 'Multiple-Exposure' modes on film cameras, never thought about using them like that though.

Not qite the same, this mode in the D200 produces a High Dynamic Range image by selecting the 'correctly' exposed areas from each RAW file and blending them into one image. The tool in CS2 will do the same thing but can use several images as can the Photomatix programme. All very clever stuff, better than neutral grads or layering two images and erasing parts of one of them.

[martin-images]

I have tried HDR but one does have problems outdoors and thats registering the images if any movment ie, wind, cloud movement takes place i feel a better way is to use multi raw technique i wont explain it here as its in one of my tutorials
Martin
http://www.digital-monochrome.com/Multirawediting.htm