HDR "Magic"

[SA Bill]

I've been fooling around with HDR (High Dynamic Range) this weekend. The "true" way to do HDR is to take several pictures of the same scene with varying exposures over, under and at the correct exposure reading. These separate pics are then combined to make a single picture with more dynamic range than is possible with a single exposure. Since I'm just getting into HDR, I've been exploring the various software packages available to do the combining for HDR. One program, Photomatix, seems to be the front runner from the reviews I've ready. So I'm trying the demo version to see what it will do and how easy it is to use.
So far I like it.

One thing that Photomatix will allow you to do is make a pseudo-HDR pic out of a single exposure. I've attached a couple of my pics from last October, one version with the regular processing I did right after the trip and another version that I just ran through Photomatix. Interesting to see the difference. I'll post a couple of more in the next post showing how you can go overboard with HDR to make interesting more-than-real results.

This is already changing my picture taking paradigm! I'm looking for a lightweight tripod so I can take multiple exposures (without the camera moving) for combining later. I'm also thinking about upgrading to a camera that will do HDR in-camera. Darn the new technology that "forces" me to spend money on upgrades!

Anyway, what do you all think of the HDR pics? I'm still experimenting so let me know if you like them...or hate them.
  Bill

[SA Bill]

Here's another pic with "regular" HDR processing and then an over-the-top-not-really-real processing.
  Thoughts?
    Bill

[badknees]

I've been fooling around with HDR (High Dynamic Range) this weekend. The "true" way to do HDR is to take several pictures of the same scene with varying exposures over, under and at the correct exposure reading. These separate pics are then combined to make a single picture with more dynamic range than is possible with a single exposure. Since I'm just getting into HDR, I've been exploring the various software packages available to do the combining for HDR. One program, Photomatix, seems to be the front runner from the reviews I've ready. So I'm trying the demo version to see what it will do and how easy it is to use.
So far I like it.

One thing that Photomatix will allow you to do is make a pseudo-HDR pic out of a single exposure. I've attached a couple of my pics from last October, one version with the regular processing I did right after the trip and another version that I just ran through Photomatix. Interesting to see the difference. I'll post a couple of more in the next post showing how you can go overboard with HDR to make interesting more-than-real results.

This is already changing my picture taking paradigm! I'm looking for a lightweight tripod so I can take multiple exposures (without the camera moving) for combining later. I'm also thinking about upgrading to a camera that will do HDR in-camera. Darn the new technology that "forces" me to spend money on upgrades!

Anyway, what do you all think of the HDR pics? I'm still experimenting so let me know if you like them...or hate them.
  Bill

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, (You asked for an opinion), I'm not a fan of HDR and overprocessed photos in general. I think HDR does have it's uses, as the human eye has a much greater DR than the camera, but everybody wants to over do it.  In moderation....good. Overcooked......bad.

[sandersmr]

I have had a hard time every time I've used Photomatix with 3 different photos.  There is always something that has moved, causing blur in the final.  I'm doing similar things with blending in Photoshop - blending the 3 photos with masks.

But I have seen some great HDR photos and I have seen some totally unnatural looking photos.

[SA Bill]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, (You asked for an opinion), I'm not a fan of HDR and overprocessed photos in general. I think HDR does have it's uses, as the human eye has a much greater DR than the camera, but everybody wants to over do it.  In moderation....good. Overcooked......bad.

Oh I agree bk! The first HDR pics I saw were like a bad acid trip...not that I know what that's like. Eye candy? Yes. Satisfying? Not really.

What I like is the ability to take a picture like the ones I posted of Randell's overlook, where the light was very flat and uninteresting, and make the processed pic have just a little more "pop". I'm still a newbie at this so I'm sure I'll develop a "style" that works for me but for sure my style won't be in-your-face-overprocessed.
  Bill

[SA Bill]

I have had a hard time every time I've used Photomatix with 3 different photos.  There is always something that has moved, causing blur in the final.  I'm doing similar things with blending in Photoshop - blending the 3 photos with masks.

But I have seen some great HDR photos and I have seen some totally unnatural looking photos.

Hi sandersmr!
All I've done so far is manipulate single pics and I kinda like the results. I do plan to try the multiple images aspect of HDR. Gotta get a better tripod though. I'm not sure I have the patience (or the skill!) to use Photoshop to do HDR. That's what drew me to Photomatrix.

Yeah, the best HDR pics I have seen don't call attention to the fact that they're HDR...they just look like very well done pictures. There seems to be a fine line that too many people cross when doing HDR. I'll try to keep from crossing the line.
  Bill

[fartymarty]

There seems to be a fine line that too many people cross when doing HDR.  Bill

HEY! I resemble that remark! ..well at least I'm aware of it, but I can't stop myself.

Bill you may want to also evaluate easyHDR I have not checked prices lately
but at one time it was considerably cheaper that photomatix.

somewhat related:
There are some recently posted IR photos in the Gallery by newbie troubledog that look good (to me) and also some HDR stuff he has
on flickr...I like this one.

So far I really like this one of yours the best. The clouds really POP in comparison. I'm enjoying them all, please keep evaluating and sharing.

[SA Bill]

Hi fm!!

There seems to be a fine line that too many people cross when doing HDR.  Bill

HEY! I resemble that remark! ..well at least I'm aware of it, but I can't stop myself.

Lines were meant to be broken...or something like that.

Bill you may want to also evaluate easyHDR I have not checked prices lately
but at one time it was considerably cheaper that photomatix.

The Light version of Photomatix is only $39.00 and is probably all I need. Are you using easyhdr?

somewhat related:
There are some recently posted IR photos in the Gallery by newbie troubledog that look good (to me) and also some HDR stuff he has
on flickr...I like this one.

Thanks...I'll take a look.

So far I really like this one of yours the best. The clouds really POP in comparison. I'm enjoying them all, please keep evaluating and sharing.

Anything so far that has turned out semi-okay is sheer luck at this point. Much to learn have I!
 Bill
P.S. Jumping lines of words prevents me from coloring these last lines...

[SA Bill]

One more for today.
  Bill

[MilesOfTexas]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, (You asked for an opinion), I'm not a fan of HDR and overprocessed photos in general. I think HDR does have it's uses, as the human eye has a much greater DR than the camera, but everybody wants to over do it.  In moderation....good. Overcooked......bad.

Personally, I have worked with Photomatrix and found that it can be helpful given certain circumstances.  But, I think BK summed it up great and I agree completely.

Rather than using HDR in a multiple image technique, I first try to use physical filters (as opposed to software filters during post-processing).  I never leave home without my graduated ND filters!  In most cases, the GND filters allow me the DR I need.  If for some reason the DR is extreme, or I just can't use the GND filter properly, I go ahead and take the multiple images, and decide later if I want to put it very carefully through Photomatrix.