HDR Question

[Baz777]

I’ve been onto photography a good number of years as keen hobbyist. I only heard of HDR after joining this excellent site.

I’ve read a lot about HDR through links here but would like some clarification on a number of points please.

I have downloaded the trial version of Photomatix.

My question is regarding the 3 RAW images required to produce the HDR.

My camera will only auto bracket ±1. If I further increase the exposure in PS on the +1 and –1 shots will this be akin to taking the original shots with increased bracketing?

Final question expanding on the first one. If I only have one RAW shot and create 2 new versions of that shot in PS with say ±2 exposure effectively I have 3 RAW shots to create a HDR. How does this differ from taking 3 original bracketed shots with regards to the final HDR produced?

Many thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Slvrbck]

Hi Baz,
I am by no means an expert and haven't had chance to test this myself (hoping to get out and do some street tog in Brum that should be a good tester), but when I was looking into HDR I found this tutorial.
It talks about using auto bracket and a RAW editor so should give you a decent enough answer.....

Have fun and let me see the outcome (love good HDR images)

 

[Mike_J_Smith]

No expert either, but my thinking is that three exposures taken in camera will have more detail than those created using PS.

For example, if your highlights are blown in places in your neutral exposure shot, then decreasing exposure in PS won't create that detail; but taking an under exposed shot at the time will.

Hope that makes sense!

Mike

 

[Yv]

Generally speaking, 3 bracketted shots will provide more detailed information and the correct amount of over/under exposrue than 3 adjusted from one [more shadow detail on the +2, more highlight detail in the -2]- having said that, many of my best HDR's have been created from a single RAW shot, and as long as you get the original exposed almost perfectly, you can achieve a great result, albeit maybe not quite as detailed as using 3. As for the bracketing, it is also possible to use shots that only have +/- 1 each way, as well as 2....similary you can go to th eother extreme and use 5 or even 7 bracketed shots round the orginal to get even more informtation. Basically, like everyhting else, you get 'out' what you put in.