Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

HDR help

G

grooveattack

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 9, 2008
511
1
hi
i have been inspired by all of the HDR pictures on here so i thought that i would experiment with my own. I am, however, having some problems. This is what i am doing:

1. i have a normal JPEG picture (i know it is better to make the different exposures in camera but thats a perfect world)

2. i make 4 copies of it. 2 over exposed 2 under.

3. i then, in photoshop CS4, use 'automate' > merge to HDR.

4. i pick the files i want to use and off PS goes.

5. i am then presented with this: see grab1

6. i dont know what to do here so just click 'ok', i have never seen this window in any tutorial.

7. then i am given a rubbish picture: see grab 2

I'm stuck! any help or ideas? happy to give any info you need...
thanks guys!

8.
 

Attachments

  • grab1.jpg
    grab1.jpg
    32.6 KB · Views: 90
  • grab2.jpg
    grab2.jpg
    314.1 KB · Views: 86
wheezy

wheezy

macrumors 65816
Apr 7, 2005
1,280
1
Alpine, UT
I think the majority of HDR photos you're seeing in this forum are created with Photomatix, give it a lookup.
 
A

anubis

macrumors 6502a
Feb 7, 2003
937
50
From "Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Photography" by Ferrell McCollough:

"Can I create an HDR image from a single file by changing the exposure values?" This is a common question, and it seems logically possible, but the answer is no. Many people think that they can open a single file...adjust the exposure, and save each variation to create a complete exposure set ready for merging. The problem is, the single exposure has a fixed dynamic range, and changing the exposure value in post-processing doesn't create noise-free shadows or recover lost highlights. The image is bound by the limited dynamic range of the sensor, and the only way to extend the range is through multiple images at different shutter speeds.
Click to expand...

So, in other words, the most important part of high dynamic range photography (taking multiple exposure pictures) is the first thing you dismiss as being impossible in an imperfect world, but it's what makes HDR photography what it is. Almost all of the good HDRs in the HDR thread here are from multiple exposure brackets.
 
juanster

juanster

macrumors 68020
Mar 2, 2007
2,238
0
toronto
i have tried on photoshop and i just don't get results half as good as with photomatix... and it is a lot simpler to use too... sorry can't realy help you with the photoshop part....i just don't think you have all teh options for tonemapping in photoshop taht you hve in photomatix, and tahst why you are not getting what you want.. also teh picture youa re using doenst seem to me like it would have a much of a dynamic range therefore the results won;t be what you are looking for.. no need to make 5 copies either 3 should be enough just tos tart until you gte a better hang of it....
 
C

ChrisA

macrumors G5
Jan 5, 2006
12,833
2,034
Redondo Beach, California
grooveattack said:
1. i have a normal JPEG picture (i know it is better to make the different exposures in camera but thats a perfect world)

2. i make 4 copies of it. 2 over exposed 2 under.
Click to expand...

The whole entire point of HDR is that you actually have high dynamic range in the scene and you want to compress it so that it will "fit" into a normal color space. What yo did was just an exercise in running the software. Also if you want the results to look good there has to be BOTH a good technical reason and a good artistic reason to merge the multiple images.
 
ipodtoucher

ipodtoucher

macrumors 68000
Sep 13, 2007
1,684
1
Cedar Park, TX
With photoshop adobe wanted you to get the feel of actually having high dynamic range, so they toned down the plasticy and tonemapping. Photomatix works super great for getting that surreal look with a dreamy haze.
 
G

grooveattack

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 9, 2008
511
1
Hmmm thanks guys. I will give photomatrix a look. The various guides I have been useing on the net are conflicting at best so it's nice to have more solid info to work with.
So in reflection:
1. Have a better starting picture (the one I used was just a quick experiment one anyway)
2.change exposure in camera e.g. Takeing multipule shots at different exposures
3.use photomatrix.

Just for your info this weekend I am using a cannon 450D. Again guides I found said not to use auto bracketing but is it actully ok?

I will give this a shot and report back!
 
juanster

juanster

macrumors 68020
Mar 2, 2007
2,238
0
toronto
yes you can use the bracketing method, or if you are shooting moving object or people you may wnat to shoot RAW and then change the exposure, or let photomatix do it for you (pseudo-HDR)...have fun shooting:D
 
Lovesong

Lovesong

macrumors 65816
Sep 15, 2006
1,137
1
Stuck beween a rock and a hard place
Your "picture 2" is the unprocessed 32-bit image, and yes, it will be rubbish. You need to save it out as a 16-bit file, and then run local adjustments on it in order to get the HDR look.

That being said, I would mostly agree with the posters here that in order to get a decent HDR, you may need at least 3 differently exposed images. On the other hand, I've had some significant success messing around with a single RAW.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom