I also use photomatix, I love it and have been using it since it first came out, guys also how do I add photos in here, the normal (coded way isn't working form me :(
@jojo2009 --- How do you do this? My understanding of hdr is to use three images using the different exposures and a tripod then merge them. How do you do this with something that is moving?
@dmortega I stacked three of the same image with different exposures in a program called photomatix. I have also tried the HDR tool in cs5 but it doesnt seem to work as well..
I've been clean for about four months nearly, but I'll always remember those happy times when I didn't know what cold turkey felt like, I just pumped HDR in, I couldn't get enough....ah happy times.
@dmortega you cant create a real HDR shot with a moving object, you can however cheat you take a regular image then in post production change the exposure of the image to make darker and lighter versions then treat them in the same way that you would a bracketted shot
either that or go for a faux HDR by increasing clarity contrast and saturation and playing around with levels until it looks HDRish, doesn't look quite as good though
@jml0306 Thanks for starting this thread... now I can't get my work done! lol! Just kidding you, I love it. I still have to keep checking back though! lol! :)
I think HDR can be used for a few different purposes. It can create a representation of what the eye and human brain can 'process' but the camera can't capture; or it can accentuate and create something that did not 'really' exist. It depends on the particular shot which approach is most suited. My most recent attempt in traditional HDR style is below, but I am not sure it is necessarly my 'favorite' like Joseph asked, because I feel like I still have a way to go yet. (Maybe I would tag it as 'better than previous attempts'). I also think the natural HDR style has a lot going for it too (e.g. this shot from November ) but everyone has different preferences in processing.
I would like to thank @bdb3471 for his encouragement to persevere with HDR.
@ltodd That is such a powerful image! I love it :)
I've only just started playing with HDR imagery, and so far my first image is my favourite! I love the dramatic images HDR can conjure up, and this is my most dramatic yet:
Looking out from Rodborough Common over the west of Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK.
@shyanewiegers Ha, thanks, I didn't stop by choice!! but then I'm glad I process less these days, when I had a point and shoot I relied on it, thanks for the mention.
@jsw0109 HDR stands for High Dynamic Range jeff. Its where you use a series of bracketed shots (3 to 5) is the norm. But before i go any further. A Tripod is a must!
Basically taking 3 or more shots of the same subject with each shot given a different exposure setting. Then processed (called tone mapping) using spacific software such as Photmatrix, Oloneo etc. Photoshop has HDR tools but they dont do a good a job as Photomatrix. Photomatrix in many peoples view is the prefered software. However i have found that Oloneo Photoengine is a fantastic bit of software as it allows you to get some stunning results from using just one image, rather than having to use 3 or more bracketed shots. There is a free trial you can download. The same goes with Photomatrix. Try them both and see what works for you best.
@jsw0109
I think you may find Oloneo the way to go for ease of use as it does everything on the fly. They have just released a lite version which i`m trying out now and at half the price (59 Euros) its well worth a look. You can try before you buy for 30 days with full functions, so you can save your images etc.
Have fun and good look. :-)
HDR can definitely be adictive. For a while I was shooting everything in HDR am making an effort right now not to do that. Here are a couple from the fall, the first is not as extreme as the second.
i didn't know what HDR was - until now ! Thanks all ...I seriously need to check this out....I suppose I need to get a tripod to start with and experiment.....am really loving these photos....another addiction then I see
OH MY! I can't even possibly mention or @ all the amazing shots in this thread. I don't think I am ready to try this yet, but I definitely see it in my future.
@sootyuk , I have been trying to find the free download of the oloneo Photoengine.. not sure why, but all I get is a bunch of other advert downlo9ads when i select. When I go to the oloneo website, it does not have a free download, just a 30 trial or you can purchase the program... when you select 30 day trial it asks if you want photoengine or hdr engine? I want to make sure I select the one that I can do HDR on, but what is the diff between the two choices? Do you know?
@shirljess Onloneo is just a 30 day trial Shirley. I like you could not find any freeware for hdr anywhere. But i did find Oloneo, so i tried it and found it very easy to use and some of the results i was getting on some shots more than matched what some other software could produced, but only having to use a single image. It does have the capability to work with brackected images also.
When i first tried Onleno out, they only had the full version (Oloneo Photoengine). I used it for the full 30 days and had so much fun with it and got some stunning results from it, so much so that i wanted to purchace a copy as soon as i had saved up enough pennies. That was the only thing putting me off. It was rather exspensive at the time.
Just by chance however, i found they had released a `Lite` version (HRDengine). The only difference is that on the full version you get tools for mainly dealing with lighting etc. You still get all the tools you need for hdr work, including all the presets etc. But the price difference makes all the difference as for the `Lite` version its only $59. Almost half the price of the full package and well worth the money in my view.
I would download it anyway and give it a try, if only for the fun factor and to see what you can achieve. You may find it does everything you are looking for and if its within your budget, decide to buy.
In time there may well be some freeware become available to download that will do a decent hdr conversion, but so far i havent found anything myself.
Like any new software, it takes a little time to get the best out of it and it wont work as well with some images as it will with others. The biggest downfall i have seen people make is to "over do things". always watch out for halo`s and too much saturation etc. To reduce any halo`s its best to ease up with the TM Strength slider. As for being over saturated, this is sometimes unavoidable to achieve the tone mapping level you want, but you can always take the saturation slider back a little, or do what i do. Do the final tweeks and editing in photoshop to finish things off.
I`ll post some of my hdr images below that i have processed useing Oloneo and from a single shot.
Have fun :-)
HDR is new to me and I am playing with the trial of Photomatix now...the only problem I see is that it auto saves at 72 dpi... does anyone know how to change that to something actually usable in print or do you know if the full version changes that?
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This one is definitely my favourite.
@jml0306 Great thread Joseph.
I had to narrow down to 2 shots also!!
Mostly because I also made the chicken in this picture. :)
I am offering two as well ...
I tried to make it NOT look like HDR - was i successful?
http://www.oloneo.com/en/page/download.html
I would like to thank @bdb3471 for his encouragement to persevere with HDR.
I've only just started playing with HDR imagery, and so far my first image is my favourite! I love the dramatic images HDR can conjure up, and this is my most dramatic yet:
Looking out from Rodborough Common over the west of Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK.
Pillars of Egypt
Not as HD as others, but I loved the effect the HD (in picnik) gave the photo, one of my favs from the summer.
Basically taking 3 or more shots of the same subject with each shot given a different exposure setting. Then processed (called tone mapping) using spacific software such as Photmatrix, Oloneo etc. Photoshop has HDR tools but they dont do a good a job as Photomatrix. Photomatrix in many peoples view is the prefered software. However i have found that Oloneo Photoengine is a fantastic bit of software as it allows you to get some stunning results from using just one image, rather than having to use 3 or more bracketed shots. There is a free trial you can download. The same goes with Photomatrix. Try them both and see what works for you best.
Chris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBETWrA9tps
http://www.oloneo.com/
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/photomatix-review/
I think you may find Oloneo the way to go for ease of use as it does everything on the fly. They have just released a lite version which i`m trying out now and at half the price (59 Euros) its well worth a look. You can try before you buy for 30 days with full functions, so you can save your images etc.
Have fun and good look. :-)
When i first tried Onleno out, they only had the full version (Oloneo Photoengine). I used it for the full 30 days and had so much fun with it and got some stunning results from it, so much so that i wanted to purchace a copy as soon as i had saved up enough pennies. That was the only thing putting me off. It was rather exspensive at the time.
Just by chance however, i found they had released a `Lite` version (HRDengine). The only difference is that on the full version you get tools for mainly dealing with lighting etc. You still get all the tools you need for hdr work, including all the presets etc. But the price difference makes all the difference as for the `Lite` version its only $59. Almost half the price of the full package and well worth the money in my view.
I would download it anyway and give it a try, if only for the fun factor and to see what you can achieve. You may find it does everything you are looking for and if its within your budget, decide to buy.
In time there may well be some freeware become available to download that will do a decent hdr conversion, but so far i havent found anything myself.
Like any new software, it takes a little time to get the best out of it and it wont work as well with some images as it will with others. The biggest downfall i have seen people make is to "over do things". always watch out for halo`s and too much saturation etc. To reduce any halo`s its best to ease up with the TM Strength slider. As for being over saturated, this is sometimes unavoidable to achieve the tone mapping level you want, but you can always take the saturation slider back a little, or do what i do. Do the final tweeks and editing in photoshop to finish things off.
I`ll post some of my hdr images below that i have processed useing Oloneo and from a single shot.
Have fun :-)
Chris
feel free to critique/leave constructive criticism... just started learning it