Merge to HDR
 

Just been playing around with 'Merge to HDR' in CS2. took three shot from a tripod with ev comp -1, 0, +1. I choose this view because it had sky + a lot of shadow area. The end image is completely untouched apart from compressing for the web. Seems to work to a certain degree what to you think ?

Roy,

This is something I have never got round to having ago at.

Not quite sure about how the shadow from the plant by the wall looks. It does suggest the light was quite strong.

Any chance of posting image at ' 0 ' as a comparison.

Don

Ok Don, here is the ev 0 that I used. From what I can read it is better to take 5 to 7 images at different ev values rather thatn the minimum 3 which I have used.

Don, For info here is the +1 shot that I used,

Thanks Roy.

I have just done a touch of curves on the HDR one and am impressed. Not too much darkening of the shadow or loss of highlight detail.

Altogether much improved over the shot at ' 0 ' setting.

So I rate your effort as a success.

Don

HDR is another major break through, that has emerged with the Tsunami wave of digital photography and digital darkroom.

Looking around flickr there are a whole lot of HDR images being produced. On the one hand they are pretty impressive, but they do seem to have an other-world quality which after the novelty value I'm not too sure I actually like. Still they are impressive though.

What is HDR,please.High definition resolution?.Is that correct ,or somewhat near.How does one obtain it?.Is it similar to RAW?.

High Dynamic Range. Basically its taking 3 or more exposures at: normal exposure, 2 stops under exposed, 2 stops over exposed. Then the three photos are combined together to give you a photograph with highlight, shadows, and mid range. Then people tend to tone map the result.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynchburgvirginia/

If taking three photos you need a tripod. But you can have software create the three exposures. Most use photomatrix.

Walwyn has explained what it is. Photomatrix seems the best software for it.
In CS2 there is a 'merge to HDR' in the File > Automate menu. You select the images and the merge is automated - you can then Tone map the final image.

Christin, here is a sample picture in my gallery, actually one of the first HDR pictures I made using photomatix L I N K.
You can find the link for the free download if you like to use only drawback of free version is that it leaves watermark on your picture otherwise it is %100 functional program.

Glad I did not post a negative comment re the watermark now Sassan. :D

I did wonder when I viewed the image.

Don

Using Raw to generate the images.
 

I have been using Raw to generate images. To use the full camera range. seems a useful technique, no registration issues. Probably won't give the range of separate exposures but seems to work in churches etc. The images can be blended in PS as layers.

thanks for the explanation.Seems a tad complicated,I guess I need to check out RAW first!!!!

Don; Little I know, has a lot to do with critiques I have received. Please feel free for any comment any time. I value them so much.
Well I could easily remove the visible watermarks but its both at the violation of contract using freeware and more importantly would be unethical in my part.
IMHO bottom line is HDR is here to last, would be good to use it wisely and when needed as the fashion of its utilization on every situation could be disgusting.

Carman; Like to see some of your pictures. RAW has been proven to be useful for this. Do you put the layers on each other and then using lower opacity, remove the area not wanted or use any other technique?

Christine; Check this one.

> > > L I N K < < <

Look for section; "How do I shoot an HDR image?"

Here is how Wikipedia describes it and I won't blame you if you felt confused after reading it;:) > > > L I N K < < <

Another O L D E R - L I N K.

And here are some examples:
L I N K - 1
L I N K - 2 Is a RAW converted to HDR.

The "road home" I just posted was not possible in single image. I made 2 psd files from RAW. Open the light one and paste the other as a layer. Using eraser at opacity of about 20% gradually erase the dark areas from the foreground. the beauty of this is 2 stops more latitude. You can also do it on moving images which two exposures won' work.

Carman; Well done and thanks for sharing the image and info.

Sassan,many thanks for the links.The Older-Link was very interesting.Love to read how the work of the Old Masters is actually in line with some of our modern day techniques.Those painters were the true professionals re colour etc.If anyone else happens to read this thread,have a click on Sassans link,it really does make very interesting reading.
thanks Sassan.
ps.I will not be having a try with HDR,or even RAW,I guess a point and shoot is my limit!!.

I presume that you could use the same three images, but with the levels adjusted accordingly? I think I will give this a go.

Tonemap? Is that curves on the combined image?