My First Attempt at HDR

[Mache]

Here are 4 shots with my attempt at HDR. I used 3 Exp 0, +1,-1 on all of them.

All comments welcome

[lyn]

Not bad stuff Mache
You might try 0, -2, +2, as well. It will give you a bit more latitude.
These don't look overdone, and that very easy to do.
My only crit is not quite enough contrast, but keep in mind I tend to like a bit more contrast than many people.

[ThePhilosopher]

The first two look like renderings from a high end computer game or something.

[ParkImaging]

Pretty cool. What location are the first two?

- Wil

[Mache]

First off the location is at a Hindu Temple South of Austin.

Barsana Dham

I tried different software/settings to get the image. I wanted the pop(3D) effect but still wanted keep it natural. I am sure I can do a bit better if have to do it again. Striking a balance is hard. I may just attempt the following technique to see if it does better.

How to create HDR photos with free Qtpfsgui and GIMP

As Lyn mentioned, next time, I would get wider Exp. Bracketing and take at least 5 Pictures. Secondly, I have now acquired Photomatix. We will see if it does better rendition. For these pictures I used Qtpfsgui.

If there are any ideas tips or tricks I am interested in learning them.

Thanks for all those comments.

Mache

PS: Shouldn't there be a seperate forum category for HDR

[ParkImaging]

Mache has a great point... there probably should be a new forum for HDR.

- Wil

[venchka]

Why? Good HDR is invisible.

[ParkImaging]

Originally Posted by venchka

Why? Good HDR is invisible.

I dunno. I kinda agree from a pure perspective. But at the same time, I really like the artsiness (sp?) of the dramatic HDR images.

I just got my PPA 2008 Loan Collection album a few days ago and (at least) two images in there are dramatic HDR images of cars.

So, I think it's just another form of expression and I kinda like it too.

- Wil

[Mache]

With HDR one can produce natural looking images and also Ghoulish painterly renditions.

The purpose for the forum is to learn the techniques and evaluate the results. Also for posting some definitive work where we know these were processed using HDR (bracketed exposure) as opposed to single shot.

For e.g. just tone mapping algorithms and saving as 16 bit or 32 bit issues drove me nuts. Some software operate on RAW files and others don't.

I could go to ton of other web sites and learn or just keep coming to TPF. At least we are discussing all this - so it may happen. But then It may not!!

Mache

[ParkImaging]

If we have forums for Infrared, Macro, and Underwater, I see no reason not to have one for HDR. Even if you put it under the "Creative Zone" section it would be fine... and I think appropriate.

- Wil

[jeffkohn]

The first two images are tastefully done if you're going for the stylized HDR look without being too over the top. I wouldn't quite call them natural-looking though. I'm not a big fan of this look, but I seem to be in the minority and I'm sure a lot of people will like these. You've done a good job of avoiding halos and inverted contrast. In the first image the sky is a littleover-saturated and slightly greenish. In the second image the sky is a bit under-saturated, almost gray in places.

Processing on the second image is very natural looking. If you're looking for HDR to tame high-contrast scenes and make them appear as the eye would see them, I think you're on the right track with this one.

The last one makes me want to squint. I think it's a matter of too much "detail enhancement" and not enough realistic tones.There should be shadows on the left, and the fact that they're not there makes it visually confusing. The image is very 'crunchy' and digital looking. They sky is also a little splotchy.

Tips for natural-looking HDR in Photomatix using detail enhancer mode:

• Go easy on the strength, luminosity, and micro-contrast sliders.
• Use the smoothing sliders. The global smoothing slider goes a long way toward making images more natural looking and will prevent things like inverted contrast. The highlight smoothing slider is good for preventing those uneven skies that are over-darkened in areas.
• Set the Black point to something other than 0%. There should be some black in an image, otherwise it looks flat and unnatural, especially when it's a high-contrast scene.
• Use the gamma slider to set the midtone brightness, not the luminosity and strenght sliders.

For the 'natural' look, you may want to investigate Tufuse and Tufuse Pro, which I find often produces more natural-looking results.

[jeffkohn]

As far as the image galleries go, I think it's best to keep them subject-based rather than technique-based. Otherwise it's a slippery slope to having galleries for B/W, photo montage, film, etc. The more you splinter the picture galleries the less traffic they get and the fewer people get to see them. I know IR doesn't quite fit the subject-based model, but it's the exception that proves the rule (look at the post counts).

As far as discussing HDR processing techniques, I would think the current Post-Processing forum is sufficient, unless its to the point that there are so many HDR-related posts that they drown out other topics and truly need their own dedicated forum.

[heathercaptures]

From what I hear HDR is a love it or Hate it...I kinda like it
The first two images are like something you would see in a dream sequence, nice work :)

[jeffclow]

HDR has always had fans and critics.....most purist hate the process because often it can be overdone.

However, I think you did a fine job considering you are new to the technique - and those first two are really, really nice.