some HDRI's

[misterx]

The batch from the tunnel didn't work out due to a lack of bright data (I really did need the tripod after all) but I think I've got the hang of it now with properly exposed photos and the newer software. The photos show some differences due to variations in the settings... I'm still deciding what I want these things to look like.

HDRI = High Dynamic Range Imagery. Take multiple photos of a wide contrast scene, varying the exposure up and down to capture the full range of data available. Using special software, you combine the images, and use tone-mapping to convert the scene-wide contrast into "micro-contrast". This compresses the tonal range a bit, and enables details that would have been lost to come through.

Here's some images I made a couple years back to explain it...
http://www.vaughnsphotoart.com/miscimg/hdr1.jpg (3 exposures)
http://www.vaughnsphotoart.com/miscimg/hdr2.jpg (result)

1.




2.


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5.


6.

Comments

[natf.livejournal.com]

I think that HDR works better with the manmade objects - especially #3 and #5. I do my pseudoHDR using Photoshop's Shadows/Highlights adjustment which closer simulates what our brain does with our eyes' image data.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

Can you provide a link to an image you did this way?

[natf.livejournal.com]

Not off hand I am afraid - I don't think I have any online and/or cannot remember where, if I do. Also, the subject matter would not be an ideal comparison for you to compare to your HDR images.

Your best bet would be to try it out using the middle image of the bracket that you took for one of these images (e.g. the third one) and see what you think. The effect will be less surreal, definitely (and I think these look great with the HTD/surreal treatment). Maybe one of the nature ones would be a better example, like the Iris in this post. If you'd like me to try to S/H one for you so you can compare, feel free to email me an original image at natalief AT livejournal DOT com and I will see what I can do!

[misterx.livejournal.com]

With the exception of the tractor, I could have gotten the same detail out of most of these via other methods. In this case though, I was wanting to do HDR specifically, for the unusual look it gives. It also helped to learn the software by starting with non-challenging exposure situations like these.

I'm curious what you are doing though, so I'll find something to send you. Any particular subject matter I should look for?

[natf.livejournal.com]

Well, I just use these techniques (just one step in photoshop) when there is a wide contrast range from very bright to very dark to do what our brain does so that we can see all of the image. If you have PS you could play with Shadows/Highlights just as easily as I could - it is under the Image Adjustments menu on my CS3.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

I suspect I do the equivalent in Lightroom.