HDR Photography.....anyone else into it? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Tron_fdc · 04-07-2009, 01:06 PM

I have been messing around with HDR pics the last week or so, and it has me completely fascinated. I can't believe the things you can do with it, and I was wondering if any of the photo guys on here have messed around with it much?

If anyone has any pics they've done post 'em. These are a few of my feeble attempts. The first 2 were taken right at sundown with virtually no light. The last was on a seriously sunny day, which apparently isn't so good for HDR.

Anyone that has any tips I'd appreciate it!!!

REDVAN · 04-07-2009, 01:26 PM

I think in one of these photography threads there is some explanation of how to do it. I have always wanted to try it out, but I don't think I have a powerful enough computer to do it...

kobafett · 04-07-2009, 01:29 PM

Here are a couple of mine.

Made from 6 exposures.

Made from 9 exposures (sorry it's so big)

kobafett · 04-07-2009, 01:54 PM

I would say that at least 75% of my landscapes are HDR. For me HDR is either when I take multiple exposures and combine them using photomatix or I use some of the exposures and combine them myself using photoshop layers.

Usually when I process the photo in photomatix my settings are pretty low. I'm just trying to get an image that has enough detail that I'm happy with. I'll then take that base image into photoshop for final processing. I usually end up adding more contrast to try and make it look less like HDR.

Some things I do
- I use a tripod 95% of the time and shoot 3 or more exposures (using bracketing on my camera).
- I do this even if I'm not planning on doing an HDR (never know if one of the exposures will have something I like).
- I export tiff's for processing in photomatix. I find I get less noise that way.
- I always shoot RAW.
- I never try to fix an image by using HDR. If I don't like the photo before HDR I probably won't like it after.

Tron_fdc · 04-07-2009, 01:54 PM

When do you take most of the pics? What program are you using? RAW or jpeg?

I'm only using single RAW photos right now, but not using AEB. I've been itching to try multiple, bracketed RAW exposures but I keep getting sidetracked at night watching hockey....

And any tips for snow shots? I find they're EXTREMELY difficult to work with. I keep getting blue snow, red snow, and blown out subjects.

kobafett · 04-07-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

When do you take most of the pics? What program are you using? RAW or jpeg?

I'm only using single RAW photos right now, but not using AEB. I've been itching to try multiple, bracketed RAW exposures but I keep getting sidetracked at night watching hockey....

Most of my landscapes are taken around sunrise or sunset. I have the same problem with watching hockey and working nights. I've hardly used my camera in 2009. Hopefully that is going to change now that spring is almost here.

kobafett · 04-07-2009, 02:08 PM

Another to show that sometimes I break my own rules.

Made from 1 RAW exposure and shot handheld out my car window while stopped waiting for the train to pass.

For comparison here is non-hdr version, I don't remember how much post I did on it but you can see I used HDR on the top one to give it the more gritty look and not for more detail.

81flames · 04-07-2009, 07:31 PM

Kobefett, that first photo of the sunset is amazing.

BlackEleven · 04-07-2009, 07:52 PM

I've played with HDR too. Kobafett has some really nice ones, a lot better than what I was able to get out of it.

The thing I really dislike about HDR is that most people tend to overdo it and ends up looking like a cartoon. Just be careful, its really tempting to keep changing the look, but too much and it won't end up looking like a photo anymore.

Here's one that I did that I didn't totally hate.

Tron_fdc · 04-08-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

I've played with HDR too. Kobafett has some really nice ones, a lot better than what I was able to get out of it.

The thing I really dislike about HDR is that most people tend to overdo it and ends up looking like a cartoon. Just be careful, its really tempting to keep changing the look, but too much and it won't end up looking like a photo anymore.

Here's one that I did that I didn't totally hate.

I hear ya on the overdone post production. The thing that is stifling me is what to do with all the buttons and controls, I have no idea what combo works best with certain exposures. Supposedly it's trial and error, but I'd really like to find an online tutorial of some sort.

kobafett · 04-08-2009, 06:43 PM

I haven't read it yet but I've heard this tutorial is pretty good.

http://www.vanilladays.com/hdr-guide/

kobafett · 04-08-2009, 06:59 PM

Two more HDR's from the same day and also same location.

I think where a lot of people run into problems is that they are trying to get their final image with the HDR software. I usually only spent a few minutes in the HDR software and then take it into photoshop.

kobafett · 04-08-2009, 07:06 PM

HDR is also good for B&W's.

jar_e · 04-08-2009, 07:07 PM

Jayems has some pretty great HDR shots...I'll mention the thread to him.

Kipper is King · 04-08-2009, 07:12 PM

A lot of people don't know this, but there is a custom firmware for Canon Powershot cameras that allows for bracketing and shooting in RAW for HDR images and other really cool stuff!

It's called CHDK- Canon Hacker's Development Kit. Installing it is a breeze, and it stays on your SD card, so if you don't like it, delete the files and you're fine. I am loving it so far!

I have not had time to try HDR imaging, but I can't wait to give it a shot!

kobafett · 04-08-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

A lot of people don't know this, but there is a custom firmware for Canon Powershot cameras that allows for bracketing and shooting in RAW for HDR images and other really cool stuff!

It's called CHDK- Canon Hacker's Development Kit. Installing it is a breeze, and it stays on your SD card, so if you don't like it, delete the files and you're fine. I am loving it so far!

I have not had time to try HDR imaging, but I can't wait to give it a shot!

Thanks, I'm thinking of getting a Powershot to carry around with me. It can also do some cool stuff with off camera flash and high speed sync.

Regulator75 · 04-08-2009, 08:13 PM

To be honest, I am not a big fan of HDR images. However, I don't even enjoy heavy post-processing in general. At which point does the image stop becoming an image?

When HDR becomes the very essence the image, rather than allowing the picture to speak for itself?

The users that use Photomatix tone mapping to an extreme makes me ill, I have nothing against incorporating High Dynamic Range, only when it's done well. Most of them are generally over processed and highly saturated wrecked photographs.

There are some (like Kevin's images) that are done tastefully and don't look like a cartoon.

When HDR is done right, it's great but there are more and more people that over do it. It's these tools that give HDR a bad name.

SebC · 04-08-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

A lot of people don't know this, but there is a custom firmware for Canon Powershot cameras that allows for bracketing and shooting in RAW for HDR images and other really cool stuff!

It's called CHDK- Canon Hacker's Development Kit. Installing it is a breeze, and it stays on your SD card, so if you don't like it, delete the files and you're fine. I am loving it so far!

I have not had time to try HDR imaging, but I can't wait to give it a shot!

I've been thinking about using it to make a cheap stereocamera... either that or I'll buy two DSLRs and make an expensive stereocamera.

Jayems · 04-09-2009, 12:30 AM

Here's a few of mine. I'm trying to find out the key to having very sharp, high contrast shots. Still a work in progress.

kobafett · 04-10-2009, 10:10 AM

This was taken this morning for the CP photo challenge.

I usually don't do this but if you click on the thumbnail below you can see my base HDR image before my final post in photoshop.