Topic: Dynamic HDR Image Processor Program

[curvemeister]

Some great images here, guys.  I particularly like Greg's Valley of Fire.  It really lives up to its name!

[Frits]

Greg,

is it also possible to use this sort of treatment on one picture, or is it absolutely necessarily to have more pictures.

Frits

[Greg Groess]

Fritz,
I used a JPG of Valley of Fire.  1 Image.

I did the following:
Open in PSE.
Open in CM Raise the L Curve in Lab from 50 to 75.  Close image and save as (name)plus1.jpg
repeat for original and raise the 50 value to 99.  Close image and Save as (name)Plus2.jpg
Repeat 2 more times for 50 to 25 saved as (name)Minus1.jpg  and 50 to 0 (name)Minus2.jpg

You will then have 5 files.  use the HDR program to combine these five files.

Advantages: No regestration problems from shot to shot. 
Disadvantages:
You are cheating a bit on the real dynamic range of the image.
You could have some exposure "flat spots" in the highlights.

I have then used the Eye-catching mode of the tone mapping process and then turned the saturation down and played with the dynamic lighting some.

I will say that I I have visited many older images and re-done them in this process using the RAW files instead of the JPG's..they turn out much improved.

Use caution though..some images just do not like to be HDR...they get all muddy and blow out the highlights...I think I need to do many more images this way before I can speak to it much more....

I will say it has been fun to breath new life into my older RAW files...

Greg

[Frits]

Greg, it looks very nice. I say it before. It looks ART.
but I think you can use it on special photo's. like landscapes or something.
It is like Portrait Professional , what i have and also use on special big protrait photo's.
special photo's!

So i will save the adress of this topic to use on a calmly day to investigate it and perhaps apply it.

thanks Artist!

[Greg Groess]

LOL...

thanks Fritz that is a nice thing to say...

Greg

[JoeS]

A few years ago while traveling thru Ut/Az with a new camera I started to expose a image at -1, 0, +1. After a while I decided that the 0 image was about on so I stopped (unfortunately). Last year I purchased Photomatix (HDR) and processed these images. I have tried to keep the images toned down and more natural. I have also tried processing a single RAW image at -2, -1, +1, +2 then processing various combinations thru Photomatix. It seems like my best results were at -1, +1. Technically I understand that's not the best but probably ok but for the most critical individuals.

I have recently purchased a camera capable of taking 9 images from -4 to +4 at 6 frames/sec. I haven't tried that yet as I'm still learning to use the camera. Maybe it will be a excuse to take another trip.

One thing I do like about HDR is that it picks up detail in the shadows without using a flash. The image of the P51 is a good example.

There are so many sites on the internet with spectacular images. Like HDR is catching on.
Thanks Joe S

[curvemeister]

Gorgeous images, Joe.  I'd be interested in seeing, for comparison, the +0 version of the airplane, and/or the Bryce image if they are handy.

[JoeS]

Mike attached are the two images. These images are the 0 "as shot" and not adjusted in any pgm other than reduced in size. These images were not shot in RAW but jpeg. At the time I didnt feel it necessary to use RAW although I have toyed with it lately as my new camera is very fast with RAW. It just leaves more optins open. I cant say that I could see the difference. I'm not that critical.

The image of Paria Pt was taken with a camera that has a live viewfinder and histogram. While viewing the scene you just hold down a button and the histogram can be adjusted. This camera does not have interchangeable lens but it is the company's "professional" glass. The rear viewfinder is "live" and can be flipped up or down for viewing. It is a perfect camera for taking scene images particularly on a tripod. Unfortunately for normal use the shutter lag can be horrendous under not so ideal conditions.

The image of the P51 was taken with a different camera. The image was taken, the histogram viewed then adjusted to eliminate highlight problems.
Thanks Joe S