HDR attempt

[sparkie1263]

i tried to make this HDR from just one image. I changed the exposure on two of the images then merged them. This is what I came out with.


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/RailroadTracksHDR.jpg

[dr4gon]

What's the original look like? I think you've posted a railroad shot like this before. Usually HDR shows the actual image with just more bright highlights and colors and can take more than 2 shots to merge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

[DonSchap]

Looks like you used a flashlight ... that is a different effect, for sure.

Here's one for ya, Frank ... I shot today. I call it: "Pullin' mud!"

37595

When the water is too shallow to use your Wave Runner ... LOL

[sparkie1263]

I did post the original before but here it is so you don't have to look for it. The question I asked was never answered can you make a HDR from just one image?
Thanks Frank

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/RailroadTracks1.jpg

[Visual Reality]

The original looks much better. For the record, technically you cannot create a high dynamic range image from one capture. There is nothing stopping you from trying, but it isn't HDR.

You need at least 3 images (-2, 0, +2) and for best results sometimes 5 or 7.

[DonSchap]

Okay, yes, it can be done ... it's not quite a dramatic ... but, yes.

HDR
37611

It's more like playing with exposure than anything else ... and important detail is most certainly lost or imperceivable

Personally ... posterized is my preferred technique.

Poster Edges
37613

[DonSchap]

Then, you could vignette and throw a frame around it ... just for grins :D Similar to your initial effort.

37615

There are so many ways to skin this cat ... HDR? Not so much.

[Visual Reality]

HDR is a completely different process altogether, and has nothing to do with Photoshop filters or creating artificial looking effects.

[DonSchap]

Agreed ... but I was looking for impact, to hell with exposure adjustment. I see nothing to be gained with it, in this particular image, so I abandoned the pursuit for expediency and artistic challenge.

As the Canonites might add: YMMV

My own limited vision, I suppose.

Frank probably knows what he's after.

[dr4gon]

Actually in RAW mode (YMMV since I don't know if it's with all cameras), I've seen some HDR images done with multiple images and 1 just by adjusting the exposure and the results were nearly the same. So I guess it is doable.

Just bump the exposures both ways in the RAW format and try merging them together.

[Visual Reality]

Actually in RAW mode (YMMV since I don't know if it's with all cameras), I've seen some HDR images done with multiple images and 1 just by adjusting the exposure and the results were nearly the same. So I guess it is doable.
It is doable...but it isn't real HDR.

[JonathanJ]

Hi guys,

I've played around a little with HDR with some photos from my Sony A100.

Below is a combination from five exposures:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/jjandem/SHKxuRILLpI/AAAAAAAABXM/Badi_3k3sFE/s800/HickoryRun_HDR.jpg

It is a good technique where there is a much brighter foreground/background but with lots of detail that you want to preserve. Like DRO but more so :)

JJ

[toriaj]

Looks good, Jonathan. Very natural, like it could have been from one exposure. Could you post the original for comparison?

[herc182]

You CANNOT make HDR from one exposure. HDR = High Dynamic Range.

If you have taken one photo, thats the Dynamic Range of the sensor (which is generally NOT what you see with your eye).

In Donschaps efforts, those are just filters or effects.

What I think you are looking for is HDR effect which can be super saturated surreal looking photos. IMHO the first shot you posted looks awful as a HDR shot because its not HDR.

Dons aint much better. The first shot Donshap posted entitled "HDR" is not HDR. The sky is white. The original showed the sky blueish. That "HDR" shot could have come out of the camera (and looked better) but exposed for the shadows. You would need at least two more to make up the midtones and the highlights. But thats my opinion. If thats the effect you are after, then by all means, go for it!

[herc182]

Hi guys,

I've played around a little with HDR with some photos from my Sony A100.

Below is a combination from five exposures:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/jjandem/SHKxuRILLpI/AAAAAAAABXM/Badi_3k3sFE/s800/HickoryRun_HDR.jpg

It is a good technique where there is a much brighter foreground/background but with lots of detail that you want to preserve. Like DRO but more so :)

JJ

Why cant I see this photo?!

[dr4gon]

Try copying and pasting this

http://lh3.ggpht.com/jjandem/SHKxuRILLpI/AAAAAAAABXM/Badi_3k3sFE/s800/HickoryRun_HDR.jpg

It's a very nice picture.

[herc182]

O i think my company is blocking it (the firewall) so I cant access it. will check it at home!

[dr4gon]

lol that's probably it.

[JonathanJ]

Hi toriaj and all,

To illustrate, here are three of the originals that went into making the final HDR. From under to over-exposed:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/jjandem/SHOZfW67p9I/AAAAAAAABYE/lbh9IxXdRKw/s400/HDR_Under.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/jjandem/SHOZfo4RJ9I/AAAAAAAABYM/Vv68vDr0pF0/s400/HDR_Neutral.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/jjandem/SHOZfINWXqI/AAAAAAAABX8/cbqUHuLx--4/s400/HDR_Over.jpg

Cheers,
JJ

[toriaj]

JJ, I am even more impressed with your HDR now that I see the originals. Wow, that's just the kind of HDR I'd like to do.

[Visual Reality]

You CANNOT make HDR from one exposure. HDR = High Dynamic Range.

If you have taken one photo, thats the Dynamic Range of the sensor (which is generally NOT what you see with your eye).

In Donschaps efforts, those are just filters or effects.

What I think you are looking for is HDR effect which can be super saturated surreal looking photos. IMHO the first shot you posted looks awful as a HDR shot because its not HDR.

Dons aint much better. The first shot Donshap posted entitled "HDR" is not HDR. The sky is white. The original showed the sky blueish. That "HDR" shot could have come out of the camera (and looked better) but exposed for the shadows. You would need at least two more to make up the midtones and the highlights. But thats my opinion. If thats the effect you are after, then by all means, go for it!
Thank you...someone else who understands this concept.

Jonathan, that is proper use of HDR and a good example of where and when its needed. Here is another example:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k245/BlackHawk2k6/Misc/DSC_2185.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k245/BlackHawk2k6/Misc/DSC_2186.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k245/BlackHawk2k6/Misc/DSC_2187.jpg

Here is what we are focusing on in this image...hot highlights:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k245/BlackHawk2k6/Misc/ChurchHighlights.jpg

The red areas indicate overexposure and loss of information. If only we could have toned the exposure down a bit with a faster shutter speed...wait, we did. But then the bottom half of the church would be too dark right? We took care of that too. In the 3 images above, I exposed one image normally, one -2 stops under, and one +2 stops over to complete the dynamic range I am after. The completed image looks something like this...

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k245/BlackHawk2k6/Colorado/Denver%20June%202008/TrinityMethodistChurch.jpg

Notice I have detail throughout the scene and have a properly exposed image. This is impossible for modern day digital image sensors to capture in one exposure thus the need for this process.

This is handheld btw, and a testament to Photoshop's aligning ability.

[DonSchap]

There is nothing wrong with "tricking out" a solo-image to resolve exposure problems ... call it "mock-HDR" or whatever you want.
The idea is a uniform improvement of the image, to bring out something that was lost. Not everything lends to doing this ... but,
the idea has some merit.

When you don't have a tripod and a release ... it gets pretty tough to do identical line-up with multiple images. You can get close,
but it hoses up the "apparent" focus pretty badly if you are off. Single-shot manipulation alleviates this problem significantly.

It may not be the conventional method, but one-shot might just do it all, if you are clever ... LOL

Hey, let's face it, when you are rescuing images ... all bets are off.

[Visual Reality]

Don, look again...the image above is handheld and Photoshop CS3 masterfully merged them as sharp as a single shot...no one has guessed that was HDR until I tell them, then show them the original.

[DonSchap]

It's a great tool, Eric ... and thankfully, you are having successful merges, but I have had issues with that in some of my work. So, there are
limitations I am facing that don't make this the greatest tool in world for me. I imagine there are OTHERs who also may be running into these
issues. Not to mention LENS CREEP. :eek: That will definitely mess you up! LOL

Whatever ... let me just say: "Nice job!"

[Visual Reality]

It is up to the software...Photomatix isn't that good at making a clean merge if you aren't spot on and using a tripod. Neither is Paintshop Pro Photo X2.