First Try at HDR

[John]

Now that we've loeaded up Photomatix here's the fuirst attempt at an HDR image.

First the original:


And the HDR version:


All comments welcome!

[Andy C]

I have no idea what i am really doing with the HDR sofrware. However your images dont appear to be lined up john.

Heres my first attempts http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh139/the_ginja/HDR/

[John]

Ther's a shadow or echo, isn't there? The images are all identical so it's the software doing something I didn't expect.

[Mike]

What is the programme supposed to do?

[John]

You take at least three and up to seven images at different exposures from over-exposed to under-exposed and the program combines them. It then tone maps the image to render the 32 bit file down to an 8 bit one that contains information in both shadows and highlights.

The conventional alternative is to let the shadows go black or let the highlights burn out (not good!) but the end result, although dramatic, is rather unnatural.

This image was from three files and I think part of the problem is that I nned to click "align images" even though the images are actually identical. The other oddity is that the way it works means that some people have disappeared! Very strange.

[sunsworth]

The few HDR images that I've seen have looked very strange. I know that they are supposed to have a larger dynamic range, but they seem to look odd to my eyes. Ignoring the misalignment in John's photograph, I prefer the original.

I'm guessing John didn't use a tripod - something that I think is probably essential if you use HDR. I'd have thought any movement in the subject would still cause a problem even if a tripod is used. So if a person moves while the frames are being taken there could be a problem.

[keith richardson]

Hi John,
Hope you dont think that this is too cheeky but had a fiddle about with your original image and processed it the way i do with photomatix and came up with this, which I am asuuming is close to the effect you were looking for. It isn't a true HDR as it came from a single original image, but the software can be used to create the effect like that.
(feel free to delete this if you think I have overstepped the mark).


Photomatix, as I expect a few of the recent purchasers are finding out, does take a bit of getting used to get the looks you want, but I think it is well worth sticking at.

And Andy C , I had a look at your first attempts and I like the Barton aerodrome one very much. Are the others Atherton Cemetery?


Regards, Keith.

[Mike]

How peculiar. I will look forward to seeing some more images using the technique.

[Andy C]

Thanks Keith. 10/10 for observation, your spot on with the location.

I didnt have my tripod with me a Barton Aerodrome, so used one image and under and over exposed it with photoshops RAW conversion. The ones at Atherton cemetry I under/over exposed in camera.

[Peaton]

Another try with HDR





Just messin aggen, I know there both cra, I mean rubbish, but it does show what can be done, it even added a speed boat for interest in the right corner, He! He!.

Peter

[John]

Thanks for the modification Keith, that's fine with me.

Back to the drawing board I think and I'll have another try.