HDR???

[SabrinaO]

I don't really know too much about HDR but I know it involves bracketing and some special HDR software. I decided to do these shots in "HDR", and thought of a different way. I just boosted clarity to the max, sharpening and contrast... and increased the black. Do these look HDR to you? If so, why do people go through all the trouble with the bracketing, layering, stacking, and the software?

Also.. these arent THAT sharp... flickr just oversharpened them....

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Did you know there is an HDR discussion forum here?

 

[molested_cow]

That's because you shot these in a studio with controlled lighting. Try getting a well balanced and exposed shot against the sunset.

You can definitely get tone mapped images out of single RAW file, but the dark areas will lack detail and when the software tries to make it brighter, it will have a lot of noise. Bracketed shots will capture the right amount of details at the respective exposure.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

The purpose of HDR is to achieve a High Dynamic Range (hence HDR ) that is impossible to capture with your camera in a single exposure. Think of a simple scene where if you expose for the ground, the sky blows out or you expose for the sky and the ground is underexposed. This is a simple example of what HDR would achieve ( although in that simple example a split ND filter would work as well ). Most people have come to associate HDR with the effects that can be achieved by pushing the process. However, you cannot achieve true HDR without multiple exposures. You can however, fake the effect.

 

[Tomasko]

I don't really know too much about HDR but I know it involves bracketing and some special HDR software. I decided to do these shots in "HDR", and thought of a different way. I just boosted clarity to the max, sharpening and contrast... and increased the black. Do these look HDR to you? If so, why do people go through all the trouble with the bracketing, layering, stacking, and the software?

If you don't know much about it, why don't you first go to google for an advice?? These aren't HDR, you didn't increase dynamic range at all.
Don't confuse overprocessed images for HDR!

 

[jake337]

So, what is the dynamic range of these images?

Or perhaps, what was the dynamic range of these scenes?

Take care when you say you like the "look of HDR photography" as it's purpose has been smeared by grunge. Many believe bracketing or "HDR" should be used when ones sensor or film cannot capture the scenes luminosity in a single exposre.

Others opinions vary.

 

[480sparky]

Let's see you do the same thing with this shot:

 

[pathoulihan1]

I don't really know too much about HDR but I know it involves bracketing and some special HDR software. I decided to do these shots in "HDR", and thought of a different way. I just boosted clarity to the max, sharpening and contrast... and increased the black. Do these look HDR to you? If so, why do people go through all the trouble with the bracketing, layering, stacking, and the software?




Also.. these arent THAT sharp... flickr just oversharpened them....

The difference is that in the studio you're able to use many different lighting techniques to make sure that there are no portions of your photo that are not going to be under/over exposed. Try doing what 480sparky has suggested. It's an interesting exercise (I tried it myself to no avail). No matter what you cannot make this single exposure look like it really covers the entire range of light in the image. You can certainly lighten the dark areas, but it won't look right. In your case the post editing did give you an interesting effect yes, but it's not HDR, nor would it be an effective use of the technique. However, I stand by what I've said in the past. If you like the effect that this technique gives your shot, then to hell with anyone elses opinion, but as for understanding the uses of HDR I think a little more research is required here.

Let's see you do the same thing with this shot:

A good example, well played.

 

[tevo]

I would suggest looking into what HDR images actually are, before spending any more time overprocessing single exposure photos... :S

 

[Kerbouchard]

I think you succeeded. They look like most HDR images I have seen...Overprocessed with a cartoon-like effect.

Btw, that's not a good thing.

 

[SabrinaO]

The purpose of HDR is to achieve a High Dynamic Range (hence HDR ) that is impossible to capture with your camera in a single exposure. Think of a simple scene where if you expose for the ground, the sky blows out or you expose for the sky and the ground is underexposed. This is a simple example of what HDR would achieve ( although in that simple example a split ND filter would work as well ). Most people have come to associate HDR with the effects that can be achieved by pushing the process. However, you cannot achieve true HDR without multiple exposures. You can however, fake the effect.

Thanks! Now I understand why you have to bracket... especially for scenic shots

 

[SabrinaO]

Let's see you do the same thing with this shot:

Im gonna try this! I mean I don't think anyone would try to do this shot in HDR even if they did bracket, but I think taking a single exposure of a scene that is exposed properly can be turned into an HDR like effect with that one image.

 

[shootermcgavin]

I think you might be missing the point of HDR, it's not a look you're trying to achieve... I think the better you are at HDR the harder it is to tell it is done. I think Sparky posted a great picture for HDR, I do kind of like the cartoony effect you can get from HDR but I don't think it's what it's really about.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Im gonna try this! I mean I don't think anyone would try to do this shot in HDR even if they did bracket, but I think taking a single exposure of a scene that is exposed properly can be turned into an HDR like effect with that one image.

The window - HDR by Margall | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[SabrinaO]

Im gonna try this! I mean I don't think anyone would try to do this shot in HDR even if they did bracket, but I think taking a single exposure of a scene that is exposed properly can be turned into an HDR like effect with that one image.

The window - HDR by Margall | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Nice! So I tried to convert your photo to an "HDR" look and its not working at all. It looks really bad I guess because of how underexposed the foreground is... so I see the point in bracketing.
Would I get the same result if i didn't bracket but just took a properly exposed image, and made a overexposed and underexposed copy in photoshop?