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PFreitas

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Posting this thread because I am new to the world of HDR. I know a lot of people despise this type of photography due to people turning their photos into completely cartoony scenes. I am just trying to find out a few key things.

1. What is the best program for HDR? Currently I am trying it with photoshop CS4 but the HDR pictures themselves turn out like complete junk.

2. What editing steps can be done to the pictures before they are merged to give them the best pop out at you appeal?

3. Are there any post merge editing techniques?

Anyone feel free to comment. I am sure I will get the occasional "hate you" post for even bringing up such a controversial subject, but I frankly do not care. When it comes to my photography, I'll leave all lanes of approach open to get the best end result. I appreciate in advance your comments and look forward to hearing your advice.

-PFreitas
 
PFreitas said:
Posting this thread because I am new to the world of HDR. I know a lot of people despise this type of photography due to people turning their photos into completely cartoony scenes. I am just trying to find out a few key things.

1. What is the best program for HDR? Currently I am trying it with photoshop CS4 but the HDR pictures themselves turn out like complete junk.

2. What editing steps can be done to the pictures before they are merged to give them the best pop out at you appeal?
Click to expand...
According to several very good photographers I've heard speak about this, the best HDR photos are the ones that appear realistic, not 'cartoony', and that this usually requires only 2 or 3 photos, taken as quickly as possible, preferably on a tripod. Increasing the number of photos causes HDR software's editing choices to mount exponentially, increasing the number of inappropriate decisions it makes. Some people like the effects that that produces, others don't.

PFreitas said:
3. Are there any post merge editing techniques?
Click to expand...
Sure, but they'd then be the same decisions you'd use when editing any non-HDR photo that has a high dyamic range. There appear to be a number of books dedicated to HDR photography. Have you checked any of them out?

PFreitas said:
Anyone feel free to comment. I am sure I will get the occasional "hate you" post for even bringing up such a controversial subject, but I frankly do not care.
Click to expand...
Hate you, hate you, hate you!!!
 
This is my personal view only :

I use HDR (called Intelligent Exposure) on my camera only when the contrast range is so high it will either burn out highlights or give lack of shadow detail. The shots I've taken using it don't look remotely 'cartoony' I'm happy to say.

However, and this is my main point, don't be afraid of contrast! . A scene where there is a huge difference between light and shade is not poor, per se. It's often what the eye sees, so experiment wisely - you may find you welcome back high contrast like an old friend :-)
--
Panas0n!c Lum!x FZ-38
 
PFreitas said:
Posting this thread because I am new to the world of HDR. I know a lot of people despise this type of photography due to people turning their photos into completely cartoony scenes. I am just trying to find out a few key things.

1. What is the best program for HDR? Currently I am trying it with photoshop CS4 but the HDR pictures themselves turn out like complete junk.
Click to expand...
I used to use CS4, now CS5. While CS5 Merge to HDR is significantly improved compared to CS4, you can still get nice results with CS4, with one big caveat (which is true for CS5 as well):
you need to do a lot of manual tweaking

I cannot really comment on other softwares since I have not used them.
PFreitas said:
2. What editing steps can be done to the pictures before they are merged to give them the best pop out at you appeal?
Click to expand...
What I do:
  1. pre process the RAW files in ACR to ensure that
  • they are consistent (e.g. WB)
  • maybe push the extreme exposures to be darker or brighter
  • apply lens correction
  • leave contrast and brightness alone
PFreitas said:
3. Are there any post merge editing techniques?
Click to expand...
After...
  1. save the 32-bit HDR file
  2. tone map the HDR image using all 4 algos available in CS4(5) to create a number of 16-bit images. Generally I end with 3 to 5 version (I often use local adaptation twice)
  3. stack all tone mapped images
  4. use masks, opacity and blending modes to merge the multiple versions in a single 16-bit TIFF. I do this since the different tone mapping applications generally give me the results I like in different portions of the image
  5. process the image to taste - at this stage I generally do NR, sharpening, etc. and tend to dial back in contrast even at the expense of some DR
What makes CS5's Merge to HDR better than CS4's is the much higher degree of cntrol that you get with local adaptation and the de-ghosting capability.

I try to use HDR in a subtle way. I hope the following example will be self-explanatory. By the way the post pocessing was done with CS4, including HDR merging.

Taken with a 5D mkII + 24-105 f/4L IS on tripod, MLU, cable release. ISO 100. 7 shots separated by 1 stop. Taken at sunrise in spring.



--
Ciao!
Roberto

My photos: http://www.robertodemicheli.com
 
Thank you all for your responses. They were hugely helpful to say the least. I did end up getting photomatix and am thoroughly impressed with how it merges the images. I will post the first completed image when it is completed. Roby, that image is truly amazing. I love the way you included all of the highlights but did not make it into a living cartoon as I have seen from so many. All of the links are very helpful as well. I now have a thousand and one ideas that I need to try. Thank you again for your quick responses. It is greatly appreciated.

---
Paul Freitas

(feel free to critique my photos at the link below, constructive criticism is good criticism)

http://www.pfreitas.imagekind.com/store
 
PFreitas said:
Roby, that image is truly amazing. I love the way you included all of the highlights but did not make it into a living cartoon as I have seen from so many.
Click to expand...
Glad you liked it :) Your comment tells me that I've been successful (at least with that one image!)
PFreitas said:
All of the links are very helpful as well. I now have a thousand and one ideas that I need to try.
Click to expand...
That's one issue with digital post processing, isn't it? So any ways to do the same things, so many options! I guess it's a good thing! :)

--
Ciao!
Roberto

My photos: http://www.robertodemicheli.com
 






Thanks to all of you who helped make it possible. I am humbled by your experience. Here are the first two that have just been completed. your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Paul
 
Sorry I can't answer all of your questions. But, you don't have to embarrassed about shooting HDR. It is a legitimate type of photography. As with anything, pictures, cars, politics - not everyone likes everything.
--
John
 
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