HDR Photography Help

paradoxeus · 20-01-2009 07:51AM #1

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 · 20-01-2009 08:13AM

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 · 20-01-2009 09:00AM

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 · 20-01-2009 09:44AM

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 · 20-01-2009 11:15AM

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 · 20-01-2009 07:03PM

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 · 20-01-2009 07:09PM

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 · 20-01-2009 07:12PM

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 · 20-01-2009 08:22PM

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 · 20-01-2009 09:50PM

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

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

Click Clicky · 20-01-2009 10:06PM

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

kjt · 21-01-2009 12:12AM

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 · 21-01-2009 12:48AM

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

paradoxeus · 21-01-2009 04:47AM

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 · 21-01-2009 12:07PM

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 · 21-01-2009 12:32PM

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 · 22-01-2009 01:17AM

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 · 22-01-2009 02:58AM

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 · 22-01-2009 03:02AM

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 · 22-01-2009 02:55PM

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 · 22-01-2009 11:19PM

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 · 22-01-2009 11:23PM

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 · 23-01-2009 03:02AM

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 · 23-01-2009 05:52AM

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 · 23-01-2009 08:30AM

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 · 23-01-2009 01:58PM

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 · 23-01-2009 02:42PM

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 · 23-01-2009 10:07PM

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 · 20-02-2009 05:57PM

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 · 27-02-2009 03:39AM

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 · 27-02-2009 02:18PM

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?

HDR Photography Help

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