New to HDR… Any tips?

Hi!

I was asked to take a photo of the outdoor holiday lights at my place of work, and I decided to play with HDR and see what happens. I shot three RAW images (-2EV, normal and +2EV, specifically f/8 at 0.6s, 2.5s and 10s) with a Canon 40D set at ISO 100 and an EF 16-35mm L series lens. Images slightly adjusted in ACR then processed in PS CS3 via Bridge.
I think the result was nice enough, and having 32-bit depth really helped me to bring out the darker areas without blowing out the lights. The lack of noise is wonderful. If you’re really interested you can get the 8-bit TIF version at <http://homepage.mac.com/biff_debris/FileSharing34.html>, but it’s almost 9MB.

Anyway, I was wondering if any HDR proponents here might have any special tricks or tips they’d like to share?

Thanks,

—
Bream Rockmetteler
Donaldson’s Dog Joy
509-540-0301

Hi!

I was asked to take a photo of the outdoor holiday lights at my place of work, and I decided to play with HDR and see what happens. I shot three RAW images (-2EV, normal and +2EV, specifically f/8 at 0.6s,
2.5s and 10s) with a Canon 40D set at ISO 100 and an EF 16-35mm L
series lens. Images slightly adjusted in ACR then processed in PS CS3 via Bridge.

I think the result was nice enough, and having 32-bit depth really helped me to bring out the darker areas without blowing out the lights. The lack of noise is wonderful. If you’re really interested you can get the 8-bit TIF version at
<http://homepage.mac.com/biff_debris/FileSharing34.html>, but it’s almost 9MB.

Anyway, I was wondering if any HDR proponents here might have any special tricks or tips they’d like to share?

Thanks,

Bream Rockmetteller wrote:

Hi!

I was asked to take a photo of the outdoor holiday lights at my place of work, and I decided to play with HDR and see what happens. I shot three RAW images (-2EV, normal and +2EV, specifically f/8 at 0.6s,
2.5s and 10s) with a Canon 40D set at ISO 100 and an EF 16-35mm L
series lens. Images slightly adjusted in ACR then processed in PS CS3 via Bridge.

I think the result was nice enough, and having 32-bit depth really helped me to bring out the darker areas without blowing out the lights. The lack of noise is wonderful. If you’re really interested you can get the 8-bit TIF version at
<http://homepage.mac.com/biff_debris/FileSharing34.html>, but it’s almost 9MB.

Anyway, I was wondering if any HDR proponents here might have any special tricks or tips they’d like to share?

Thanks,

I think you’ve nailed it mate. Judging from what you’ve produced, I think it’s more appropriate that you give us advice and tips 😉 That’s a lovely shot. The HDR is perfectly done. Just the right amount of tone mapping and definitely not overcooked at all.
This is a shot to be proud of and the company must be really pleased with it.

On 2007-12-04 16:08:05 -0800, "\(not quite so\) Fat Sam" said:

Bream Rockmetteller wrote:

Hi!

I was asked to take a photo of the outdoor holiday lights at my place of work, and I decided to play with HDR and see what happens. I shot three RAW images (-2EV, normal and +2EV, specifically f/8 at 0.6s,
2.5s and 10s) with a Canon 40D set at ISO 100 and an EF 16-35mm L
series lens. Images slightly adjusted in ACR then processed in PS CS3 via Bridge.

I think the result was nice enough, and having 32-bit depth really helped me to bring out the darker areas without blowing out the lights. The lack of noise is wonderful. If you’re really interested you can get the 8-bit TIF version at
<http://homepage.mac.com/biff_debris/FileSharing34.html>, but it’s almost 9MB.

Anyway, I was wondering if any HDR proponents here might have any special tricks or tips they’d like to share?

Thanks,

I think you’ve nailed it mate. Judging from what you’ve produced, I think it’s more appropriate that you give us advice and tips 😉 That’s a lovely shot. The HDR is perfectly done. Just the right amount of tone mapping and definitely not overcooked at all.
This is a shot to be proud of and the company must be really pleased with it.

Well, thanks for your kind words, but I was hoping for a bit of constructive input on improving the image. For example, I’d like the tiny lights to be more pin-point-like and more saturated. My thought is to take a -3EV exposure instead of the -2EV exposure then saturate the colors in it prior to HDR processing. Do you think this might be the right approach or am I talking through my hat?

—
Bream Rockmetteler
Donaldson’s Dog Joy
509-540-0301

Well, thanks for your kind words, but I was hoping for a bit of constructive input on improving the image. For example, I’d like the tiny lights to be more pin-point-like and more saturated. My thought is to take a -3EV exposure instead of the -2EV exposure then saturate the colors in it prior to HDR processing. Do you think this might be the right approach or am I talking through my hat?

On Wed, 5 Dec 2007 08:15:09 -0800, Bream Rockmetteller
<bream(dot)rockmetteller(at)mac.com> wrote:

Well, thanks for your kind words, but I was hoping for a bit of constructive input on improving the image. For example, I’d like the tiny lights to be more pin-point-like and more saturated. My thought is to take a -3EV exposure instead of the -2EV exposure then saturate the colors in it prior to HDR processing. Do you think this might be the right approach or am I talking through my hat?

It looks good BR, and experimenting might be the best way to see what you can achieve. Photoshop isn’t the best software for doing HDR processing. I’d suggest Photomatix Pro ( http://www.hdrsoft.com/ ) for HDR work. It might give you the results you’re looking for.
Talker

Hi!

I was asked to take a photo of the outdoor holiday lights at my place of work, and I decided to play with HDR and see what happens. I shot three RAW images (-2EV, normal and +2EV, specifically f/8 at 0.6s, 2.5s and 10s) with a Canon 40D set at ISO 100 and an EF 16-35mm L series lens. Images slightly adjusted in ACR then processed in PS CS3 via Bridge.
I think the result was nice enough, and having 32-bit depth really helped me to bring out the darker areas without blowing out the lights. The lack of noise is wonderful. If you’re really interested you can get the 8-bit TIF version at
<http://homepage.mac.com/biff_debris/FileSharing34.html>, but it’s almost 9MB.

Anyway, I was wondering if any HDR proponents here might have any special tricks or tips they’d like to share?