HDR Processing in under 5 Minutes

[jfrancho]

Do a search for it here, I highly recommend DP HDR, though my favorite is Photomatix.

[Worm324]

Photomatix all the way Although the other program is really good as well.

Best,
Jay

[Normpixel]

click clack, I've been using Dynamic-PHOTO HDR by MediaChance for only a few days now; so far I like the interface, the controls and especially the preview features... also they have a lot of "instant effect" options and a quick way to do "pseudo HDR" (tone mapped LDR)... I've even tried "2nd time around" tone mapping in it with interesting results. Most all of the HDRs and TMLDRs that I've uploaded to the HDR forum/discussion threads (unless it has Photomatix watermarks) has been in the D-P HDR for $39! ...Normpixel, one of the new "High and Low (Dynamic) Rangers, tone mapped"... http://photocamel.com/forum/hdr-high...tml#post346406

[Poco Red]

Jay you're amazing! Thanks for all your tutorials! While I'm struggling to follow along and have to go over and over them but I'm finally learning and I very much apreciate your efforts!

jfrancho thanks for the DP HDR link! Inexpensive and great results pretty quickly! I should have something to post soon!

[d2creative]

I need help!
I've been trying to figure out this hdr thing and I'm struggling.
The first image is one of the middle exposures from the 5 raw shots that i took and it was processed through lightroom. The second image is what photomatix gave me after some fooling around with the settings. And the final is what pic #2 looks like after being run through photoshop tweaking curves, color, and sharpness. Definitely NOT a 5 minute process for me and taking a lot of photoshop work to get to the end product which I'm still not happy with. I'm assuming my problem lays somewhere in the photomatix step but I can't figure it out. Any ideas?

ORIGINAL


PHOTOMATIX RESULT


AFTER PHOTOSHOP

[thefuture]

D2Creative-

If you watch Jay's tutorials, you'll see it is definitely not a 5 minute workflow.

The HDR under 5 minutes is to prove you can get very good results. And I like your photomatix picture, actually.

The time with photoshop is to move the picture from good to great, and that will take some time. If good is okay with you, 5 minutes is no big deal. But for the special shots you want to be the best, it'll take some time.

[Worm324]

The under 5 minutes is just photmatix and Adobe Lightroom tweaking. That can be done in under 5 minutes with the reulsts I posted above. As soon as you open Photoshop you over the 5 minute mark for sure.

I also think your result looks pretty good. A bit of a blue color cast on the window shades though

Best,
Jay

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by Worm324

The under 5 minutes is just photmatix and Adobe Lightroom tweaking. That can be done in under 5 minutes with the reulsts I posted above. As soon as you open Photoshop you over the 5 minute mark for sure.

Yeah, I realize this. I guess what I was saying is that i HAD to go through photoshop to get anything decent. My results straight from photomatix pro look like ass. So i figure i must be doing something wrong. I mean I like what i ended up with compared to the original single exposure, but I'm still not happy with it compared to all the other cool hdr I see.

[jfrancho]

Your goal in Photomatix should be a low contrast, high dynamic range image with no clipping in the highlights or shadows. Low contrast usually looks like butt, as you said. You can add contrast in the tone mapping phase, but I prefer the level of control Photoshop offers. I generally do a bit of NR, some sharpening, add contrast with curves and/or burn and dodge with an overlay, and perhaps some slight saturation in L*a*b mode.

[d2creative]

oh ok, so I am on the right track? From all the tutorials and stuff i got the impression that photomatix got you much closer. I pretty much did everything you mentioned in photoshop so I guess I'm real close and just need to fine tune my photoshop work.
Thanks!

[jfrancho]

Your Photomatix image looks like a good base with a lot of information in the shadows - which is what you want.

[Worm324]

In the full HDR tutorial (not the 5 minute version) I pretty much use photomatix exactly as John stated. The a lot of PS work to polish the image.

The purpose of the 5 minute HDR tutorial was more to get the "new to HDR people" interested in what it can do quickly to an otherwise garbage shot. The shots you shared were pretty good to start with compared to my samples.

Your certainly on the right track using PS for the polishing!! It's much more accurate and easy to control adjustments through masking and other great tools

Best,
Jay

[Speed Pujari]

Hey one very quick question..I am totally new to it , have a small confusion.. When I opened Photomatix it had a small tutorial .. It says take the snaps has to be taken in Aperture priority mode and shoot in different EVs ... Will this give the same effect?

or its preferable to switch to manual mode and shoot at different shutter speeds keeping a constant aperture for constant DOF across images??

[Worm324]

You can shoot in either mode, but you don't want to change the Aperture. If you shoot in Av mode which most people do, you just need to adjust the exposure compensation. You can do this with AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) as well if your camera has that feature.

Which Camera are you using??

Best,
Jay

[Speed Pujari]

Originally Posted by Worm324

You can shoot in either mode, but you don't want to change the Aperture. If you shoot in Av mode which most people do, you just need to adjust the exposure compensation. You can do this with AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) as well if your camera has that feature.

Which Camera are you using??

Best,
Jay

Hey Jay.. My camera does not support AEB .. its a D-40 ... I tried some shots in Av mode at different EV. the difference between the images at various EVs was not that much as expected .. As I can c in ur images at different exposures.... I feel with D-40 its better to with Manual mode..

[Worm324]

If you don't have AEB I would use manual mode as well