HDR Photography Help

paradoxeus

Hello, I have been having a lot of Fails going on with this HDR stuff, I am new to it....
I have Photoshop CS3,Photomatrix Pro 3, Lightroom 2.0
I shoot with my Canon 40D, Only own a 50mm and 28-135 Lens,
I get the ideas of Merging the photos, I have tried 5, and 3
Shooting Raw, with the -2 -1 0 +1 +2 ,
After I get everything together and play with the setting for hours, I end up with sometimes looking like an odd painting, or a pile of Junk,

Any ideas on what maybe i could be doing wrong or whatever would be nice,

PS: Also looking for a good Street photography Lens that would be pretty sweet, and one that can do some good HDR shots,

Thanks again!

paradoxeus

paradoxeus wrote: »

Hello, I have been having a lot of Fails going on with this HDR stuff, I am new to it....
I have Photoshop CS3,Photomatrix Pro 3, Lightroom 2.0
I shoot with my Canon 40D, Only own a 50mm and 28-135 Lens,
I get the ideas of Merging the photos, I have tried 5, and 3
Shooting Raw, with the -2 -1 0 +1 +2 ,
After I get everything together and play with the setting for hours, I end up with sometimes looking like an odd painting, or a pile of Junk,

Any ideas on what maybe i could be doing wrong or whatever would be nice,

PS: Also looking for a good Street photography Lens that would be pretty sweet, and one that can do some good HDR shots,

Thanks again!

Just dont understand how you get this.
http://www.vanilladays.com/gallery/category/hdr/

Morrisseeee

I've tried HDR aswell but with limited success. Did you look at the HDR tutorial in the FAQ thread at the top of the Photography main page. Also read this, good article: http://range.wordpress.com/2006/07/15/modern-hdr-photography-a-how-to-or-saturday-morning-relaxation/.

My latest attempt at Photoshop's HDR option: I used 5 exposures, but the blue sky is a little off. I haven't used Photomatix as I believe its better at HDR.

bernard0368

I am playing with this at the moment, I have found that photomatrix works better with .psd files as opposed to jpeg or raw. I am also finding shooting in Av and changing the shutter speed seems to work that bit better. Are you tone mapping the finished shot??

kjt

Hey paradoxeus,
How about you post up 2-4 of your images (same images just different exposures) and I'll go through it like I usually would and post back telling you exactly what I did?

Kyle

paradoxeus

This was done in Photoshop with a single Shot.

Ill post my 3 shot of my back yard in a few, still playing with the final

kjt

First of all imo, you wouldn't use hdr to take this shot. You could get everything into this shot with just the one exposure.

Try take anoter 3 exposures except this time, move over to the right. Take the shot from the bottom of the table looking out the window. Get the table, window and your back garden in the same shot.




(Ps. I know it's not what you were going for but it looks cool)

leef23

i have a video tutorial from the photoshopuser tv guys on how to do HDR in PS if you want me to share it?

paradoxeus

Ok so i went outside now, took my 3, ill post links because the pics are way to big for this.

Light: http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/paradoxeus/IMG_2697.jpg

Reg: http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/paradoxeus/IMG_2696.jpg

Dark:http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/paradoxeus/IMG_2695.jpg

Final: http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/paradoxeus/HDRhouse.png

Now to me, is does not look like alot of the crazzy HDR stuff out there that im in to.

I know im doing the bracketing wrong because its not taking the 3 shots on its own, i have to do it, not really sure how to set my 40D to do it,

But never the less, thanks for the info

kgiller

I found this tutorial earlier today which might help you ...

http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/

Click Clicky

Are you tone-mapping, or just accepting the first result that Photomatix gives you?

kjt

Just tried them in photomatrix paradoxeus and it's not looking the best. I think the problem is with how your shooting the images to start with. Possibly there's too much range in there.

I'll try root out one of my shots & originals to show you tomorrow and you can have a play.

Borderfox

This is a 5 shot HDR processed using Photomatix, nothing special done to it.

paradoxeus

Ya click clicky i played around with tone mapping and such,
I'm going to have to learn how to shoot them better or something,
not sure what to change and such with the F-stop and shutter speed,

kgiller

paradoxeus wrote: »

I know im doing the bracketing wrong because its not taking the 3 shots on its own, i have to do it, not really sure how to set my 40D to do it,

When you take auto bracketed exposures (ABE) you do have to take the pics yourself. You will see that when u take the first picture there will be a flashing * in the viewfinder. So you have to take 3 pictures in a row and the ABE will take care of the varying exposures. It doesnt just take 1 photo with different exposures.

EDIT: to set up the ABE you need to go into the camera menu and find ABE and set the exposures to a range between these exposures -2..-1..0..+1..+2

Click Clicky

paradoxeus wrote: »

Ya click clicky i played around with tone mapping and such,
I'm going to have to learn how to shoot them better or something,
not sure what to change and such with the F-stop and shutter speed,

Well your aperture shouldn't be too shallow, so keep at something sensible like f5.6 until you get comfortable to try something else. Shutter speed is obviously gonna depend on a number of factors, but the longer your shutter is open, the more likely you're gonna have blur when you blend exposures, although again that depends on the subject.

From the little bit you've show us so far, I think the main issue is your choice of subject for HDR. There are only a small number of situations or subjects where a HDR photo will look good. Your still life of a table, for example, will simply never look good in HDR. It's all to do with range, ie from dark to light. Think of pictures with high contrast and a lot of colour. You rarely get that range with indoor light, so stick with outdoor while you practice. I'd aslo recommend shooting wide angle to start off with - remember you want to get as many colours and as high a contrast as possible in there while you practice it.

Here's a few I've done:

pete4130

They Key to HDR's if you want to make them relaistic is to remember what you set out for. If thats to get a decent exposure across the scene, then don't try to overcook it. Don't go for tha halo's or the over saturaated colours. I usually desaturate after ever levels/curves adjustment to bring it back to normal as best I can. photomatix is just a stepping stone to get the image to photoshop, it's by no means a tool to give youthe finished product. Borderfox's pic doesn't scream, or even look HDR to me.

I do't shoot all that much HDR but these are some examples I've tried to keep as natural as possible...



this next one is a pseudo HDR, made in Photomatix from 1 RAW file, you can see some noise coming through the shadow areas when you really pixel peep at the full size from the shadow detail being brought up.

paradoxeus

kgiller thanks for that input, it helped alot!

I tried another like that, then played with it in lightroom. but it ended like...

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/paradoxeus/btfix2.jpg
Im sure a little more work, and prac, ill be alot better in a few weeks,
Only been doing this 3 days now. and already made a big difference

paradoxeus

Click clicky , and pete vey awsome work, love it.
you are right about the areas im picking, Someone hit my car a few days agao, so iv just been stuck at home, havent had the chance to get out and shoot something worth while lol.,

But all you guys helped alot here and the pric messeges,
thanks you all!;)

kjt

Great help from everyone so far

I've just done this really quickly for a short tutorial for you.

Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4 and the settings file.



Here's the final image I came out with doing this really quickly with the above files, settings and two curves layers in photoshop. Not as good as the original but I think that's down to me only giving images of 750px and only spending 1minute processing it.

Downloaded the 4 images to a folder
Opened Photomatrix Pro:
- HDR -> Generate (ctrl+g) -> Browse and select your 3 files -> OK
- (personally I always click 'attempt to reduce ghosting artifacts)
- Click OK

You image will now pop up, go to HDR -> Tone Mapping (ctrl+T). Play around with the settings yourself or click 'load' in the bottom left and load "DetailsEnhancer_settings.xmp".

Once you happy with that Click OK -> File -> Save as -> and change the image to a TIFF. Once that's done you can bring her into photoshop/lightroom and play with some curves etc.

Here's what I came out with a few months back.



I hope that helps a bit

paradoxeus

kewl ill play around with and see what i can do,

So what are you all shooting on?
im working with,
D40 w/ 50MM 1.8 and 28-135 lens,
Camera on A-DEP
ISO 1250
F-stop and Shutter fix themselves
With tripod ISO 100
and i have the AF drive set on ONE SHOT and those 3 squares/H

So i hope im doing this correct

kjt

30D and almost everytime I do hdr it'll be with my Sigma 10-20mm f5.6.
Camera on MANUAL!!! (Always on manual, manual manual) Changing my shutter speed and leaving my f & iso as needed on the shot for all photos. Always using a tripod. I've only tried bracketing once.

and i have the AF drive set on ONE SHOT and those 3 squares/H

If it was one shot, would it not just have the one square?

paradoxeus

nah its supose to be like that, and i a guy i talked to who wins awards and such for his shoots on a-dep, its kinda like shooting on M, it gives a much better picture also, from what iv seen all the stuff iv been toying with today on those settings improved my pictures by 100%

paradoxeus

Man HDR is a pain sometimes, im reading alot of stuff on it,
people are shooting on M, A-DEP and AV, I wish i just could find the Perfect one for my camera, So im going to have to try them all i guess
And i dont understand this ISO ****, some are saying crank it, others 100

kjt

It all depends on the shot what settings your going to be using. ISO should be kept as low as you can to keep the noise down. I always try keep it less than 250, 99% of the time it'll be on 100ISO. IMO I'd never use Adep for a shot...

A-DEP stands for 'automatic depth of field', or 'auto depth of field'. Meaning, the camera sets the depth of field automactically. When the camera is set on A-DEP, the photographer doesn't need to set an aperture F number as the camera does this for them.

What's dept of field got to do with a hdr shot, if you keep your F constant all you do is change the shutter speed. I can see where you would use this but I'd start off in manual to get your head around it first. I'd have though adep would be more advanced than just changing the shutterspeed to start off in HDR.

Then again as you say, the more you play yourself, the more you'll understand.

Best of luck

Click Clicky

paradoxeus wrote: »

Man HDR is a pain sometimes, im reading alot of stuff on it,
people are shooting on M, A-DEP and AV, I wish i just could find the Perfect one for my camera, So im going to have to try them all i guess
And i dont understand this ISO ****, some are saying crank it, others 100

High ISO = Noise = much messier HDR. Your HDR software will see noise as more colours to try and blend and will usually make a mess of it. Definitely keep it as low as you can.

MrParanoid

pete4130 wrote: »

They Key to HDR's if you want to make them relaistic is to remember what you set out for. If thats to get a decent exposure across the scene, then don't try to overcook it. Don't go for tha halo's or the over saturaated colours. I usually desaturate after ever levels/curves adjustment to bring it back to normal as best I can. photomatix is just a stepping stone to get the image to photoshop, it's by no means a tool to give youthe finished product. Borderfox's pic doesn't scream, or even look HDR to me.

I do't shoot all that much HDR but these are some examples I've tried to keep as natural as possible...



this next one is a pseudo HDR, made in Photomatix from 1 RAW file, you can see some noise coming through the shadow areas when you really pixel peep at the full size from the shadow detail being brought up.

Cheers, IMO the first nice HDR shots ive seen in this topic, and your right. The standard HDR tutorials make your picture look fake, keep it real, dont over do it please.

paradoxeus

Anyone got any thoughts on this lens,
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Standard Zoom Auto Focus Lens

friend of mine is getting a 50D pack and it comes with that lens, Will that be good for HDR landscape and portrait ??

Calaido

1) Photomatix results need processing in Photoshop afterwards
2) not every image or light condition is good for HDR
3) what's your goal: those washed out image, with hardcore aberations, slightly unsharp, oversaturated images (which is an own style) or very realistic looking images?
4) did you ever try the "fusion option" in Photomatix, results are more realistic and clear (based on tiffs or jpgs)
5) test everything indoor, no movement...the easiest examples to learn to CONTROL hdr.

Here an example: HDR (3), tonemapping, Photoshop CS3 adjustments.



Good luck ( ;
Cheers
Madeleine




or www.calaido.blogspot.com (my blog)

Calaido

Hi paradoxeus,

i posted yesterday a quick tutorial about hdr with some tipps. you may find it helpfull. Have a look at

www.calaido.blogspot.com

Cheers Madeleine

coylemj

Madeleine, thanks for the excellent tutorial. Do you have an opinion on whether I should buy the Photomatix PhotoShop plugin or the full Photomatix Pro product? If I buy the plugin can I do some experimenting and then buy an upgrade or would I be as well to buy the full product?

Anthony L

Here is my attempt using the aeb 3 shot. Gonna try the manual way where you spot meter the scene first...





Result below

GhostInTheRuins

I think you need to clean your sensor Anthony

Anthony L

I blew the dirt off the sensor with a squeezy air blower and cleaned the front of the lense after i took the shots, must take more now that its clean

Brndn

Wow Madeline you have some fantastic HDRs! I see a lot of photomatix on here, as an alternative there is a merge to HDR function on photoshop uner the 'automate' function. It gives a more natural look, although I find it less adjustable than photomatix. This is one using Photoshop 'merge to HDR'.

Calaido

coylemj: I never used the PM Plugin for PS. Just download the testversion of the full programm and see what happens. I think the PS Plugin has no batch possibilities, the full programm does.

Bndnd: PS merges are sometimes ok, i agree but usually with difficult light situations or moving water....it has its problems. Photomatix allows two option to get the right position of the 3 images by moving or my scanning for detail similarity. By the way: cool image with the car!!!

Anthony L: ALL Photomatix results needs adjustment in Photoshop because the colours are very often overtuned and not in a good way. For the first try, great. There is also a Fusion option which works with tiffs (like i wrote in my tutorial). This is sometimes the better tool for special light situations. Try out!

Cheers Madeleine

Atomic Pineapple

Here is my first attempt at HDR's

Calaido wrote: »

ALL Photomatix results needs adjustment in Photoshop because the colours are very often overtuned and not in a good way. For the first try, great. There is also a Fusion option which works with tiffs (like i wrote in my tutorial). This is sometimes the better tool for special light situations. Try out!

Cheers Madeleine

How would I go about editing the generated HDR's in photoshop, I have photoshop elements, is that any good?

I tried playing around with the settings in Photomatix but couldn't get exatly the look I wanted, how would I go about editing a HDR in photoshop? any links to tutorials or anything?

Thanks for the help in advance

Brndn

Theres a good tutorial here. Usually I find you need to paint back in some of the original exposures with a layer mask to get a nice blend. Photomatix can be fairly harsh with the blending unless your light smoothing setting is right up there at 10. Also you will probably need noise reduction depending on how many exposures you take. If you develop a HDR from a single raw it wil probably be a bit noisy. Cool car by the way!

mehfesto2

Im investigating HDR myself lately - I take it all pictures need to be taken on a tripod with as little movement as possible; just the shutter speed changed, yes?

Atomic Pineapple

mehfesto2 wrote: »

Im investigating HDR myself lately - I take it all pictures need to be taken on a tripod with as little movement as possible; just the shutter speed changed, yes?

You can do it by shutter speed but your better off changing the exposure on the camera settings in each shot

Calaido

mehfesto2:

Yes tripod is needed. Figure out the middle exposure and aperture. NEVER change the aperture!

Let's say:

Image one: 16, 1/100

Image two: 16 , 1/25

Image three: 16, 1/200

Of course this is individual and depending of the light situation. you have to make sure, that you get all details in the highlights with the underexposure and to get all details in the shadow area with the overexposure. If you set up your braketing to -2 , 0 ,+2 that will work for sure.

cualabuala

Is there any advantages in shooting with different exposures at the location compared to just shooting in RAW and modifying it on the PC later ?

kjt

Yes, you'll get a broder exposure. Getting more detail, lights, darks and shadows etc..