HDR Advice

Shane79 · 09-22-2009, 06:58 AM

I am new to HDR and have been getting a lot of good feedback from the users at Photography - PopPhoto.com Offers Camera Reviews and Exclusive Photo Tips. Unfortunately I am running out of time before I go on my big vacation and want to learn as much as possible before I leave.

These are examples of my first and only HDR photo's to date. Please let me know what you think I can or should do differently to improve those photo's. Also, I am posting a link to the original RAW files for one of these pictures if you are able to show me what you can do better. Whatever you provide will be appreciated.

The original RAW files can be downloaded HERE (46MB)

robertwsimpson · 09-22-2009, 07:12 AM

it might just be me, but none of these pictures look like they require HDR. Unless you are going for the "HDR look," I'd suggest just getting 1 properly exposed picture and then dodging and burning areas you want to emphasize or deemphasize. Just my 2 cents.

Shane79 · 09-22-2009, 07:25 AM

I am not that advanced. HDR is really the first different technique I've tried.

So I guess in response to your comment, what type of photo's would require HDR? Any possibility of showing me what a burn and dodge photo would look like? Maybe even a tutorial on how to do that?

robertwsimpson · 09-22-2009, 07:42 AM

You can find youtube tutorials on everything you can imagine.

HDR is most useful when you are taking pictures where there are dark shadows and bright highlights... Personally, I like to make HDR photos that look as little like HDR as possible.

Shane79 · 09-22-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by robertwsimpson

You can find youtube tutorials on everything you can imagine.

HDR is most useful when you are taking pictures where there are dark shadows and bright highlights... Personally, I like to make HDR photos that look as little like HDR as possible.

See I thought that was what I was doing with my HDR, keeping it as natural looking as possible. Good to know though. I do see some considerable improvement in shadows when compared to the original, but maybe that burn and dodge is an easier trick to get those standing out. I'll check those tutorials on youtube, thanks.

hulk · 09-22-2009, 10:28 AM

If you're going for the 1 properly exposed pic, don't forget to shoot in RAW so that you have more DR to work with.

KmH · 09-22-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by hulk

If you're going for the 1 properly exposed pic, don't forget to shoot in RAW so that you have more DR to work with.

DR = dynamic range.

robertwsimpson · 09-22-2009, 11:52 AM

I'd say the 3rd one looks the most natural... the bad thing about HDR is that you're letting a computer do your thinking for you, and it doesn't know that dark things are dark... take for example the wood stairs in the other three pictures... it looks whacked out because the computer program lightened it, thinking that it was dark because it was in the shadows rather than thinking it was just a dark subject in the picture.

Santo · 10-15-2009, 02:21 AM

I love the third image.

**Big Mike** · 10-15-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Unfortunately I am running out of time before I go on my big vacation and want to learn as much as possible before I leave.

The good thing about effects like HDR, is that they are done in post-processing (after the shoot). So you don't have to master the technique before you go on vacation.

Back in the days of film, we had a technique called 'bracketing'. Basically, it means taking several shots at different exposure levels and then later we could choose which shot was the best. Many cameras even have a feature called Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB).
Now with digital and instant feedback we can just shoot, check, adjust and shoot again. However, the new trend is to use bracketed shots for things like HDR.
So when you go on vacation, just set up your tripod and set AEB (if you have it). Then take at least three shots (one at the meter reading, one under and one over). You will then have three shots to pick your favorite from and three shots to use in an HDR process if you want to.

Just remember to bring enough memory (cards and/or backup storage) to allow you to keep all these shots until you get home.

McNugget801 · 10-15-2009, 08:20 AM

I can tell the clouds will make or break your HDR's. Unless I am shooting something rusty and crusty I dont shoot HDR under a cloudless sky.

hchristensen · 10-15-2009, 04:44 PM

I agree with Mike - bracket your shots for any scenes you think you might want to play around with later. In general, this is an alternative method to using a graduated neutral density filter.

However, if you are going for natural-looking images, using HDR software probably isn't the best way to go. Try blending 2 or more images together using a mask in photoshop. I just wrote a blog entry on the topic: Hank Christensen Photography Blog » To HDR or not to HDR

09-22-2009, 06:58 AM	#1
Shane79 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 3 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	HDR Advice I am new to HDR and have been getting a lot of good feedback from the users at Photography - PopPhoto.com Offers Camera Reviews and Exclusive Photo Tips. Unfortunately I am running out of time before I go on my big vacation and want to learn as much as possible before I leave. These are examples of my first and only HDR photo's to date. Please let me know what you think I can or should do differently to improve those photo's. Also, I am posting a link to the original RAW files for one of these pictures if you are able to show me what you can do better. Whatever you provide will be appreciated. The original RAW files can be downloaded HERE (46MB)

09-22-2009, 07:12 AM	#2
robertwsimpson TPF Junkie! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West Palm Beach, Fl Posts: 2,049 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 44 Times in 44 Posts My Gallery: (13)	it might just be me, but none of these pictures look like they require HDR. Unless you are going for the "HDR look," I'd suggest just getting 1 properly exposed picture and then dodging and burning areas you want to emphasize or deemphasize. Just my 2 cents. __________________ Can't we all just

09-22-2009, 07:42 AM	#4
robertwsimpson TPF Junkie! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West Palm Beach, Fl Posts: 2,049 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 44 Times in 44 Posts My Gallery: (13)	You can find youtube tutorials on everything you can imagine. HDR is most useful when you are taking pictures where there are dark shadows and bright highlights... Personally, I like to make HDR photos that look as little like HDR as possible. __________________ Can't we all just

09-22-2009, 11:07 AM	#7
KmH TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 7,744 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 410 Times in 378 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by hulk If you're going for the 1 properly exposed pic, don't forget to shoot in RAW so that you have more DR to work with. DR = dynamic range. __________________ . .Keith. . . . "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten" - Benjamin Franklin *FOR SALE*: Like New, Nikon MB-D200 NAPP member - referral link: https://www.photoshopuser.com/signup/?aid=luhgxq&code=friend Illegitimum non carborundum

09-22-2009, 11:52 AM	#8
robertwsimpson TPF Junkie! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West Palm Beach, Fl Posts: 2,049 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 44 Times in 44 Posts My Gallery: (13)	I'd say the 3rd one looks the most natural... the bad thing about HDR is that you're letting a computer do your thinking for you, and it doesn't know that dark things are dark... take for example the wood stairs in the other three pictures... it looks whacked out because the computer program lightened it, thinking that it was dark because it was in the shadows rather than thinking it was just a dark subject in the picture. __________________ Can't we all just

09-22-2009, 07:25 AM	#3
Shane79 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 3 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I am not that advanced. HDR is really the first different technique I've tried. So I guess in response to your comment, what type of photo's would require HDR? Any possibility of showing me what a burn and dodge photo would look like? Maybe even a tutorial on how to do that?

09-22-2009, 10:21 AM	#5
Shane79 TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 3 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by robertwsimpson You can find youtube tutorials on everything you can imagine. HDR is most useful when you are taking pictures where there are dark shadows and bright highlights... Personally, I like to make HDR photos that look as little like HDR as possible. See I thought that was what I was doing with my HDR, keeping it as natural looking as possible. Good to know though. I do see some considerable improvement in shadows when compared to the original, but maybe that burn and dodge is an easier trick to get those standing out. I'll check those tutorials on youtube, thanks.

09-22-2009, 10:28 AM	#6
hulk No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 46 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	If you're going for the 1 properly exposed pic, don't forget to shoot in RAW so that you have more DR to work with.

10-15-2009, 02:21 AM	#9
Santo TPF Noob! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 15 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I love the third image. __________________ + [Flickr] + [oO itz santO]

10-15-2009, 08:16 AM	#10
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 22,984 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 298 Times in 276 Posts My Gallery: (93)	Quote: Unfortunately I am running out of time before I go on my big vacation and want to learn as much as possible before I leave. The good thing about effects like HDR, is that they are done in post-processing (after the shoot). So you don't have to master the technique before you go on vacation. Back in the days of film, we had a technique called 'bracketing'. Basically, it means taking several shots at different exposure levels and then later we could choose which shot was the best. Many cameras even have a feature called Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB). Now with digital and instant feedback we can just shoot, check, adjust and shoot again. However, the new trend is to use bracketed shots for things like HDR. So when you go on vacation, just set up your tripod and set AEB (if you have it). Then take at least three shots (one at the meter reading, one under and one over). You will then have three shots to pick your favorite from and three shots to use in an HDR process if you want to. Just remember to bring enough memory (cards and/or backup storage) to allow you to keep all these shots until you get home. __________________ "The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous" Edmonton Wedding Photographer ==>Blog

10-15-2009, 08:20 AM	#11
McNugget801 Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 136 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I can tell the clouds will make or break your HDR's. Unless I am shooting something rusty and crusty I dont shoot HDR under a cloudless sky. __________________

10-15-2009, 04:44 PM	#12
hchristensen TPF Noob! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Belmont, CA Posts: 15 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I agree with Mike - bracket your shots for any scenes you think you might want to play around with later. In general, this is an alternative method to using a graduated neutral density filter. However, if you are going for natural-looking images, using HDR software probably isn't the best way to go. Try blending 2 or more images together using a mask in photoshop. I just wrote a blog entry on the topic: Hank Christensen Photography Blog » To HDR or not to HDR __________________ Hank Christensen Hank Christensen Photography Photography Blog

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