HDR Understanding

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gpc1

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Greg
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All,

I am trying to get to grips with HDR as it looks like fun. I have read tons of info on this but there seems to be conflicting advice so I thought I would pose some straightforward simple questions and to confirm my understanding is correct.

Assumptions 1
For static subjects you need to take minimum 3 exposures. 1 over, 1 under and a correct.
This method can be used for BOTH Jpeg and RAW.
These are then combined (layered) in Photomatix

Assumptions 2
For non static subjects you need to shoot in RAW
In Elements or Lightroom take min 2 copies of the raw file and adjust exposure on each one (1 over, 1 Under and the original correct exposure).
Save them as a tiff file (ensuring exiff data is removed (not sure about this bit))
Combine in Photomatix (layer)


is my understanding correct? I think I have begun to confuse myself with the amount of conflicting opnions on the web.

Can I get an HDR result from 1 raw file using either Lightroom then Photomatix or Elements and Photomatix.

Alternatively to all you HDR experts out there heres the scenario

Using : Elements 6, Lightroom, Photomatix
Create an HDR image out of a land scape
Creat an HDR image out of a non static subject ie a dog that wont sit still long enough.

What would you do in each case......


Again apologies for this qusetion but there are so many conflicting opinions that I think I have overdosed on HDR info. :bonk::help:
 
I shoot in Raw.. then in lightroom export as correct exposure, and a +2, and a -2.
Load all these in photomatrix.

sorry cant go more in depth... boss is lurking...
 
Cheers Trev, Was wondering whether it really was that simple. How do your results turn out. I dont want the results to be cartoony, just really crisp, 'alive' images.

Glad that I can do this in lightroom. Do you export them as raw or convert them to tiff.

I dont quite understand the need for this either but I did read it somewhere that you eed to remove exiff data. totally lost me!
 
You probably read this already, but if not it's a good basic overview of HDR and how to do it:

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


You only really 'need' one RAW image to create a HDR image, but they say if you have 3 of different exposures you will get a better result and will be able to tweak it a lot more n photomatix.
 
exactly, thats my point.

its impossible to take three exact same pics of something moving.

So i guess the answer would be to
Take the Raw file picture
in lightroom create 3 compies.
Over expose 1 copy, underexpose 1 copy and keep 1 the same.
Save them as ????? (im guessing 3 tiff files with the exiff data removes, whatever that means)
Import the 3 files onto photomatix and then merge.

I guess I will just have to try thisand see what the results are......
:thinking::thinking:
 
So i guess the answer would be to
Take the Raw file picture
in lightroom create 3 compies.
Over expose 1 copy, underexpose 1 copy and keep 1 the same.
Save them as ????? (im guessing 3 tiff files with the exiff data removes, whatever that means)
Import the 3 files onto photomatix and then merge.
Click to expand...

Thats how i do it :)
 
3 shots always look better, but otherwise 1 RAW will do for crowds of people or other such moving stuff. It does look nice, but adjusting a RAW image is never going to be as good as getting the correct exposure.
 
I recently saw an HDR image composed of 14 exposures. Breathtaking!
 
I didn't think you needed to remove the EXIF in Photomatix. Certainly not in the version I've got.

If you try to do it in CS2 I think you need to take it out.
 
The EXIF thing was because photomatix use to get confused by reading the exif info and thinking all the shots you were trying to use were the same exposure. I think as ranarama says you dont need to worry about this anymore.

Might also be worth baring in mind that Photomatix can process RAWs itself (or the newest versions can) so you can actually just open a RAW in photomatix and do the generate HDR etc then tone map it ;) - The results do seem to be a fair bit noisier though :(
 
You can load a single raw in photmatix and it will pseudo HDR the raw file..

Sorry to highjack the thread but is there enough range to HDR using Ev+-1?

Cheers
Garrie
 
The only problem I've found with using a single RAW image is that the final result can be a little on the noisy side, much better results are achieved when exposure bracketting (word?) in-camera using a solid tripod.

Sometimes cloud movement can actually enhance the final image, but moving foliage and people etc. does look crap so you have to choose your subject carefully.
 
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