Amazing HDR Captures

[Don Roos]

HDRI is rapidly becoming the standard approach to all of one's photos for some that use bracketed exposures almost all the time. I am now using Photomatix Pro 4.1 and am extremely happy with results for both bracketed exposures to produce true HDRI and also psuedo HDRI from a single photo. Photomatix simulates the bracketed exposures in the pseudo HDR images. It is said to be a lot easier to use than CS5 [Photoshop], is purported to be faster, and IS dramatically less expensive [only 100$].

I thought it might be interesting to see awsome photos on the web that are likely to be done with bracketed exposures and HDR software. Discussion of HDRI methods and experiences would also be fun.

Take a look at this image of the aurora borealis over Northwest Territories, Canada. It appears to be a likely use of HDRI since it is produced from multiple exposures causing the star semicircles. Click on the photo to enlarge it. [this site, Astronomy Picture of the Day, has an archive going back to 6/1995 of daily high quality photos]

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

[☮Lee Gordon☮]

the star arcs are produced by extremely long exposure (as what you are actually capturing is the rotation of the earth) this also accounts for the amount of light play in the borealis so I would say its unlikely to be HDR

[Gary]

@asrai Agreed. Not HDR.

It also seems unlikely that the shooter focused before starting the exposure :3

[Mike Warren]

I use Photomatix Pro 4.1 and like it. Another product I'm really starting to like is Corel's PaintShop Pro X4 that comes with the NIK Color Efex Pro plugin. It was about $70. I also use the Topaz adjust plugin which I like a lot.

I'm new at it; but I use HDR as much as I can for still scenes to get the most detail from the shadows.

I agree with Lee. Looks like a long exposure with some tone mapping. Still cool looking. I know I would give my left arm to be taking that shot from that location on the planet.

[Don Roos]

@asrai @gurry @mwarren365 Thanks.

[☮Lee Gordon☮]

but if its HDR you want heres a couple of links

http://tintation.com/2011/02/21/awesome-hdr-graphics/
http://www.designer77.com/2010/04/20-seriously-awesome-hdr-photos/

and heres a few of mine

[The Steve From 2010]

I did one February last year

[Vikdaddy]

Meh. I don't like HDR very much. It's overdone and garish, but I seem to be in the minority.

[Don Roos]

@asrai Thanks Lee: stunningly beautiful photos.
@eyebrows Thank you

[The Steve From 2010]

@vikdaddy I'm in your minority too, I got over my HDR phase pretty early!

[Andrea Barrandeguy]

@vikdaddy Agreed. I mean, some of them look pretty amazing. But most of the time they all look overdone.

I tried it twice and that's it for me haha

Second and last attemp: