Something that can't be found over the internet. Don't know what that would be but i would personaly like to see lots of sample photos, step-by-step tutorials, comparisons between different methods, examples of things going wrong, too much or too little.
Something that can't be found online is tricky, but do-able if I include in-depth information on photos I haven't published before and how I achieved the look on previous ones.
a step by step how to?
When not to use HDR?
History and purpose of HDR?
Just thinking out load really.
Yup. Basically already done in the guide but I'll include more on the history and such.
Low light HDR techniques!
Agreed. Something I'm still battling with myself. Photomatix destroys skies.
Being able to tell when it hasn't worked - for instance, if its a building that was fairly evenly lit, we often see hdr's where there is obvious alterations in light across the surface that just dont work, but the inexperienced may not notice it as much because they are looking at the image as a whole....does that make sense?
Yup makes sense. I think its an issue with the software more than anything.
Personally, I would like to see the step by step guides as others have mentions but alsoa section of what can go wrong, why it can go wrong and how to prevent it and/or fix it.
If you go for it will you make it an eBook or a real printed book?
Assuming you go for it, good luck
Agreed, but done carefully. Despite writing a guide that already says not to set some options because of the effect they have people do it. Obviously I don't have the power to change the world but I do realise that it has to be done carefully. If I write a book saying "DO NOT DO THIS" then I'll only look like an arrogant moron. I can only say what I feel makes a good image and why.
Serious....
The reason for using HDR processing ie the way that the human eye responds to light / the environment compared to a "typical " camera sensor
Noted.
Getting the best from single exposure HDR? As in using multiple exposures of the same image from a single file to get a HDR image.
Something that does need to be explained in depth. A single exposure isn't a HDR its just a tone mapped image with extra dynamic range, not high. Although the end result can look similar there is a distinction. I will cover pseudo HDR though because its still got a place.
Strong academic evidence (contrast ratios, ability of modern monitors/printers to display the various states of HDR images). Future outlook, covering the idea of cameras producing multiple exposures from one RAW in cam etc. Where did it come from?, covering film exposures, blending, dodging and burning, and of course finding out exactly where and when modern (digital) HDR photography started out in relation to the rise in computer processing power etc (maybe a bit about Paul Debevec). Maybe cover what looks good and what doesn't necessarily look good in HDR (clouds v.s cliched urban exploration type shots etc). An impartial appraisal of the effects (and future effects) of photography at a higher dynamic range on 'traditional' and professional photography as an art form/institution. technical aspects of HDR tech such as correct metering for specific scenes (examples would be good), maybe metering off cam too. I think it would definitely be a good idea to cover a free HDR/tonemapping program such as easyHDR because obviously a lot of people wont fork out for cs3/photomatix. Errm, I'll add more if I can think of any lol.
Ya, all of that
The most important thing for me when reading a guide book is the inclusion of detailed (step-by-step) examples of how to achieve the effects shown in a photo. Whilst I don't know very much about HDR, for a 'normal' photography guide that would include a table with detailed settings (aperture, WB, shutter speed, etc) of a particular shot. For HDR, I suspect a lot of attention would be focused on post-processing. For that, I would recommend using a variety of programs (with screen shots) so that people don't feel it's too geared towards, say, Photoshop or Lightroom.
It will be geared to certain programs otherwise it would be chapter after chapter of the same material for different programs. I will include information on various programs but at the end of the day I'll be detailing what I feel is the best method to obtaining good HDR results.
There is a book knocking about by Michael Freeman called 'Mastering High Dynamic Range Photography'.
Chapters include:
HDR Scenes & Vision
HDR Capture & Generation
HDR Tonemapping
HDR Workflows
I think it covers all the various software available and uses case studies.
A friend of mine rates it but I haven't set eyes on it as yet.
May be an idea Pete to have a look and see whats missing.
Chris
Bought it yesterday and I'm planning to have a flick through later to see what he's covered. I do know that there's another HDR book about too that I need to read.
HDR portraits
Agreed.
Hi Pete
Perhaps take it to the camera also - as well as the processing?
I for one, have not really played much with HDR. Often when I have, I don't believe my shots have been 'right' - not configured correctly etc
So before running and being disappointed, being able to take a step back and start from basics correctly.
Just my two penneth
I will of course cover camera settings, and the fact that you can't HDR everything you see. You do need a good starting point and I hope to cover that. A classic would be where a building is half in shadow. Sure you'll bring out more detail in the shadow areas but you'll still be left with a line across the building.
I'd like a CD in the back containing sample images that were used in the book and a trial version or shareware MAC/PC HDR software so that I could work through the images and hopefully achieve similar results.
May not be practical - otherwise a website where the images could be obtained - but the website would need to be live for a long time.
I'm not sure how possible it is to have a CD with the book, and of course by the time its gone to print the software will be out of date. However, as a former web designer, I can make a website for it with all the needed bits on. I can appreciate the need for sample images so that people can read the book and play with the same images I did to see if they're getting it right.
Perhaps a bit beyond the scope of a guide, but I'd like to see an analysis of how HDR is effecting commercial photography. Where it's been used the most, key photographers internationally, great sites to visit etc.
An interesting idea. It might be good to include something on it to point out that its not just a simple trick for amatuers to fix bad images. To show that it is being used by the big boys. I for one have had a number of clients that want HDR images.
Phew...
