I took my first HDR image today and honestly I have no idea if Im on the right track. Anything is helpful... Its the latest picture I posted on here. I used the photomatix pro software which is mind boggling so again any help is highly appreciated.
As far as the picture as a whole goes, it's pretty good. The problem is the scene just isn't suited for HDR. Because it was taken in the morning with low sun angle and it looks as if you're shooting a subject that's getting equal light from the sun there's little in the way of "high dynamic range" which is what HDR is meant to help bring out.
To get the most out of HDR processing you need to use it on an image that has a very dynamic range. One that can't be fully captured in a single exposure. Usually these types of scenes are backlit, have a very bright contrasting sky or subject next to dark shadows, etc. This is where HDR truly shines because it can take in all of the data across multiple exposures and hopefully create an image that brings out all of the details that your eye can see (or more).
As you can see, there's no possible way to expose the sky and trees/foreground properly with a single exposure. Too much contrast. You have to pick one thing to expose for and lose detail with something else.
Suddenly, you can see all the detail in the trees and background which were nearly completely black before and the sky has a lot more texture. Granted, I went a little over the top with the processing with this one, but I really liked the effect so I kept going. ;)
Since you're using Photomatix and managed to not make your image look like a cartoon, I think you're on the right track. That software makes it really easy to overdo the effect if you aren't careful. I bet when you try again with an image with a greater dynamic range you'll really start to see the effects.
I have another one that has a lot more shadows in it, I didn't post it because I can tell I have a lot of spots where it doesnt match up and I was too embarrassed to put it on here because I know better. I didn't use a tripod when I should have. Photomatix is going to take me a long while to learn, I used it for the first time today and was overwhelmed.
Agreed with @marubozo it really doesn't look like an HDR. It's nice but isn't HDR.
And also going with what he said I don't necessarily agree with "Since you're using Photomatix and managed to not make your image look like a cartoon, I think you're on the right track."
It all depends on what you as an artist, photographer, what ever you want to label yourself as, is going for.
Personally I love the cartoony look, and on all the HDR images that is the road I've gone down.
I may be biased because it is my own photo but this is cartoonish
and I love it and think it makes for a great photo.
Thanks to all of you who commented... It is really helpful and putting me on the right track. I love taking landscapes and I think HDR can really bring my photography to the next level.
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To get the most out of HDR processing you need to use it on an image that has a very dynamic range. One that can't be fully captured in a single exposure. Usually these types of scenes are backlit, have a very bright contrasting sky or subject next to dark shadows, etc. This is where HDR truly shines because it can take in all of the data across multiple exposures and hopefully create an image that brings out all of the details that your eye can see (or more).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marubozo/5304428961/
As you can see, there's no possible way to expose the sky and trees/foreground properly with a single exposure. Too much contrast. You have to pick one thing to expose for and lose detail with something else.
But here's the HDR version:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marubozo/5305022330/
Suddenly, you can see all the detail in the trees and background which were nearly completely black before and the sky has a lot more texture. Granted, I went a little over the top with the processing with this one, but I really liked the effect so I kept going. ;)
Since you're using Photomatix and managed to not make your image look like a cartoon, I think you're on the right track. That software makes it really easy to overdo the effect if you aren't careful. I bet when you try again with an image with a greater dynamic range you'll really start to see the effects.
And also going with what he said I don't necessarily agree with "Since you're using Photomatix and managed to not make your image look like a cartoon, I think you're on the right track."
It all depends on what you as an artist, photographer, what ever you want to label yourself as, is going for.
Personally I love the cartoony look, and on all the HDR images that is the road I've gone down.
I may be biased because it is my own photo but this is cartoonish
and I love it and think it makes for a great photo.
Thanks again.
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/