first attempts at HDR...

[AlexN]

hey... Just thought I'd post these.. I dont know that the shots were great candidates for HDR, however this was more of a learning thing for me rather than an attempt at a great overall photo...

Let me know what you think. HDR was done using PS CS2, and automatic bracketing...

[Dennis]

Hi Alex

The dynamic range appears to have been expanded so the HDR process does seem to have worked – good job. IIRC the dynamic range of a typical DSLR is around 5 stops?

When you write “auto bracketing” did the aperture change or the shutter speed? My understanding of HDR is that ideally the shutter speed should be altered so the aperture, hence depth of field, remains constant throughout the exposures.

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

Dennis. now that you mention it, I believe I had the camera in manual mode, so it would probably have changed both aperture and shutter speed.. I use auto bracketing at +/- 2 EV (the max the camera will do automatically) I'll try another today, using aperture priority mode and see how the results go.

Also I think in the images I posted the second one was only +/- 1EV.. hence its not a real dramatic effect.

thanks Dennis, Alex.

[AlexN]

Ok, heres a few more.. this time taken using aperture priority.. seems to have made a difference in the result....

First up, the TV in the background makes a bit of distraction to the image, but what can you do, and its only a test really. Turned out nicely though...

second image : the light in the top of the frame is still a bit over blown... I suppose though, the element of the lightbulb was in direct line of sight with the lens, and hence is understandably bright.. The fact that the lower leaves of the flowers is visible shows HDR has been applied, as in a single shot with that light on, the leaves usually turn out black if there is correct exposure through the flowers.

And the final image: This was a sequence of shots taken of City Hall in brisbane a few months ago, all taken at F8, but varying shutter speeds. I didnt know about HDR at the time, but was trying to get correct exposure. Luckily i kept the raws. I think this one has turned out the best of all of them so far....

Cheers for any comments or input.

alex

[AlexN]

And one more for good measure...

This one is actually quite natural looking which is great.. I think im getting the hang of the processing workflow involved.

[RB]

Getting better there, Alex.
The last one and the City Hall have come up nicely.

HDR is not suited to all subject matter but when it is, it really brings out all the detail.

I've done a couple and love HDR processing.
You've prompted me to do some more now.

Cheers and look forward to more from you.

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Make sure to post them Andrew! I love to see HDR's... they are awesome

[RB]

Here are the links for them Alex:

The first time I tried HDR was on the Sydney Opera House last year.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=25950

The second time was for the Photo Comp - Architecture (June 07).
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=29248


As you can see I've been a bit slack since then mate, so I'll definitely have another go soon.

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

I had seen that 2nd one before in the hall of fame and remember wondering "how incredible is that... Wonder how he managed to get it all exposed evenly.."

The opera house shot is also great. brings out the detail in the sails surface and the lighting around the structure... The contrast of it against the black night sky is awesome... You must have been very pleased with that as a first result!

[RB]

Yeah there's a whole story behind it, I almost got arrested LOL, because I had to wait till around midnight for the shot when nobody was around (taken in the Sydney CBD).
Unfortunately a security guard spotted me and almost got me in trouble.
Luckily, after negotiating with him to let me shoot a few frames, he allowed me to finish and made sure I left the building.

You have to take chances sometimes :whistle: :doh:


I certainly was stoked with the result considering it was a first attempt, and like you say HDR is awesome !!

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

heh.. I've had security here in brisbane on my back and even police confiscate my camera for a week... Taking photos in areas and of subjects that were deemed questionable (read: took a photo of a cop car with its lights flashing whilst they were breaking up a drunken brawl, and taking photos inside the casino of the lobby chandelier...)

After the police confiscated the camera for the brawl/car photo, I'd assumed I'd get it back with those images deleted... but alas.. It was returned with nearly 7gb of images formatted off the CF....

NOT HAPPY JAN!

[RB]

Oh Man !!!
They deleted everything???

Wow.

I suppose it was the only way they could make sure you couldn't retrieve the images, but boy, how bad is that !!!

:sadeyes:

[AlexN]

yeah.. and it was a day out as a group with a photography club that I used to be a part of.. 24hr brisbane photography shootout competition.. Every one of my shots from the day - GONE! No entries for me...

The winner walked away with a Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 and a 10-20mm

I was not impressed.

[AlexN]

onnnnne last pic for really good measure..

Well, technically its 2 pics.. but only one image really. I like this test alot, and what I've done processed one using Photoshop CS2, and the other using Photomatix3pro.

The Photomatix one in this case has come out better IMHO, Hence its posted first. In other shots however, I've seen both programs pull off good results..

Alex.

[Screwdriverone]

Ummm, Hi Alex,

Can I please ask what HDR is? I am a bit confused as to what you are referring to and I am coming up with High Definition Resolution or Harry Delano Roosevelt. ;) Yes I know its Franklin,,,

As Someone used to say: "Please Explain?"

Cheers

Chris

[Dennis]

HDR is “High Dynamic Range”.

Most DSLR’s have a dynamic range of 5, maybe 6 stops; that is, they can record tones ranging from Black through to White over an F-stop range of say, F2.8 to F16.

So, if you were at a wedding where the bride was wearing a beautiful white dress with lots of lacy detail and delicate frills, but the groom was dressed in a black suit with a fine, dark grey pin stripe, a single exposure may not reveal both the texture of the black suit, its fine pin strip and the subtle tones in the lacy detail.

If you expose for the lacy detail, the grooms suit will look jet black, blocky with no detail.

If you expose for the black suit to show the fine pin stripe and the texture of the material, the brides’ dress will be blown out, a pure, dazzling white blob with no detail in the lace and frilly bits.

HDR is where you would take say, at least 3 shots. One correctly exposed for the black suit; one correctly exposed for the brides white dress and then one correctly exposed for the 18% grey mid tones.

The HDR process would then combine all three photos to reveal the detail available in the blacks, mid-tones and whites, provided no-one moved between the 3 exposures.

Cheers

Dennis

[Screwdriverone]

Thanks Dennis, that makes sense to me now.

Chris