First HDR attempt

[Dubbs5050]

After seeing a lot of HDR imaging recently, I decided to see how it works. Obviously, here I took it to the extreme on purpose. I dont like how it there seems to be a "glow" around every object, but other than that, I do like the HDR affect. I personally don't think it works for these photos, but I just wanted to test it out.

My question is, when is HDR useful? Is it one of those things that I just have to try to see if it works for the particular image, or are there certain lighting situations that call for HDR?

Thanks

[draymorton]

Interesting work, but yeah, the effect is way overdone. HDR isn't easy to make look natural.

In answer to your questions: a) it is useful in more situations than you might think. Anytime you want to even out an exposure, bring out shadow detail, suppress highlights, etc. And b) yes, it is one of those things you just have to try, but badly-lit images often become bad HDRs.

HDR is used by so many photographers in images you'd never identify as HDR'd because the application thereof is so subtle and seamless. The trick is restraint.

[OldClicker]

Practical use - I needed a shot of our remodeled room and the dynamic range was just too high to get the snow/sky and still have detail in the stove. HDR to the rescue. - TF

[Dubbs5050]

Practical use - I needed a shot of our remodeled room and the dynamic range was just too high to get the snow/sky and still have detail in the stove. HDR to the rescue. - TF

Excellent example....thank you!

I am still in the dark about how people use the HDR effect with a single shot though...like a portrait...

I suppose this technique will be useful when attempting to shoot a sunset, and get definition in both the sky and the foreground.

[OldClicker]

Excellent example....thank you!

I am still in the dark about how people use the HDR effect with a single shot though...like a portrait...

I suppose this technique will be useful when attempting to shoot a sunset, and get definition in both the sky and the foreground.

The limiter for the dynamic range of an image is the output - monitor or print. The sensor and RAW file contain more information (darker and lighter) than the monitor/print can use. In HDR, you 'compress' the dynamic range you have into the range the monitor/print can handle. Since even a single RAW shot has more dynamic range than the monitor can handle, HDR is possible (though some prefer to call it something different such as Extended Dynamic Range or EDR). - TF

[daq7]

I do often like the grunge effect, but even with grunge I don't like Halos. Those tend to be undesirable. You can largely get rid of them if you try, but it usually involves backing off the effect. Recently I have been using tone mapping mostly as an additional layer that I manually blend with other photoshop layers.

HDR is most useful when there is a huge dynamic range in the picture, but if there is too much black in the picture, it is often hard to avoid amplifying noise.

[Frog]

HDR works when the light range is too great for the sensor to handle. You will either get blown out bright spots or deep dark areas with no detail. With hdr you can get the bright and dark areas and the in between.

[n8]

if you were using photomatix, I'd recommend backing of on the light slider...the one that you can switch modes for. I personally like doing hdr's that you can tell are hdr's, but not so over done that they don't look like photos anymore. basically, if you have a lot of contrast between highlights and shadows then you have a good candidate.

[Coastal Flyer]

Dubbs,

Way to go to post some shots and seek the advice of our resident knowledge. What software are you using?

David

[Dubbs5050]

Dubbs,

Way to go to post some shots and seek the advice of our resident knowledge. What software are you using?

David

I have Photoshop CS2 ... I have had it for a while, but really just started learning it. Apparently the Photoshop software has moved on to at least 2 more recent versions.... I am more of an "au naturale" photog, but in some cases this software can make images way more interesting.....I hope to post some more experiments soon.

[daq7]

Oldclicker: That is a stunningly good tone mapping. Tone mapping is a totally essential tool in some situations, and you used it well there. As I said, It is like a graduated neutral density filter on every pixel. Any photographer who is not using it is like a stone age savage...

[Don Schaeffer]

I think the photos of the boardwalk are great. The textures of the photo jump out. It looks vibrant. Those would have been very ordinary photos if not for that effect. Sometimes you have to look at photos in the same way you look at paintings, look for visual dynamics.

[Lava Lamp]

Very cool. I especially like the first one. It doesn't look subtle, but is very effective and I think the treatment suits the subject.

For those looking for more on HDR, here's the Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

[daq7]

By the way, photoshop tone mapping sucks.

[shootme]

All has been said I guess, Just need to watch out for over saturation (problem I always have) the halo effect around structures. Great first attempt though.

[GB1]

It's obviously over the top if you were shooting for realistic, or for the viewer not to know it was an HDR. From an artistic angle though, I really like the bottom shot. The pink really jumps out at me, makes it seem like a fantasy. The boardwalk angles are nice too but don't quite live up to the pink walls in terms of punch, so I might crop some of those out. The boardwalk is also the weak link in the bottom shot IMO.

G