Question for those that know

[briarder]

If youre using Photomatix 4 just try one of the presets by clicking the little window. Dont even touch any sliders until you have a refence point to start from.

Which window are you referring to ? I'd like to try it .

 

[Bynx]

On my photomatix 4 when I have gathered the images I click Preprocess. At this time a wide short box opens with 10 presets showing the result of each preset. You click one and the original changes. When you have decided which one you want then you click process.

 

[mwcfarms]

Thanks Bynx. I'll try that too.

 

[ann]

the presets are along the bottom of the screen.

 

[myshkin]

I respect Bynx processing skills but I disagree with saying not to touch the sliders. Its the only way to learn how to do HDR. The presets might give you a good starting point but they will never give you the desired look you want.
Its not like your going to mess anything up by touching the sliders. Find a preset that looks the best to you and then from there start making small adjustments to the sliders. Only one way to learn and thats by messing with it

 

[mwcfarms]

I think the problem I have is my subject was this shot

this is just one of the exposure values SOOC, and I think I need to rethink the subject. When I go in and adjust it, I get nuclear skys and then even if I use an adjustment layer for the sky Im not happy so I am going to try and do a set at dawn or dusk and see what I get. Will be back with examples.

 

[myshkin]

That shot is really not good for learning. I would try to find a weird lit room in your house or something to start. You want a large dynamic range. and it helps to have alot of detail

 

[mwcfarms]

Thanks thats the conclusion that I came too. Which is why I wanted to redo it with a variety of colors, tones in the sky.

 

[ann]

yep, the dynamic range is fine for a normal shot, but not long enough for HDR.

 

[mwcfarms]

yep, the dynamic range is fine for a normal shot, but not long enough for HDR.

Ann I'm confuddled. What do you mean not long enough? I suspected the dynamic range wasn't great enough for HDR but what do you mean long enough? Sorry its probably something simple too.

 

[Bynx]

I respect Bynx processing skills but I disagree with saying not to touch the sliders. Its the only way to learn how to do HDR. The presets might give you a good starting point but they will never give you the desired look you want.
Its not like your going to mess anything up by touching the sliders. Find a preset that looks the best to you and then from there start making small adjustments to the sliders. Only one way to learn and thats by messing with it

I agree with you and Im the kind of guy that would just jump in and slide away. But I said not to touch the sliders until they felt comfortable with the presets. Then with a starting point moving the sliders will then show them what they do. Just moving the sliders with no frame of reference will be a frustrating experience for some. And we have seen enough black clouds and nuclear grass.

 

[ann]

Long enough means longer than 6 or 7 fstops, which for these sensor are normal.Meaning they will record that much information.

For an example, HDR shots may contain up to 20 fstops of information, which means a longer dynamic range. Does that help? Great enough is a good word.

And don't be sorry , this is how we learn, or at least one good way; asking questions

 

[pbelarge]

And don't be sorry , this is how we learn, or at least one good way; asking questions

The only dumb question is the one not asked...

 

[WesternGuy]

Dee, being in Southern Alberta - you don't say which part, have you thought of trying to find one of the many old, abandoned farm buildings, barns are good, or a grain elevator, if you can find a small town that still has one left. They would give you a better dynamic range from the snow to the building to the blue sky - alternatively one of the great southern Alberta sunsets, particularly with some clouds will also give you some good subjects. Just my 0.02¢ worth as a fellow Southern Albertan who is also just starting to get into HDR.

Cheers,

WesternGuy