Help with HDR

[TheRaven]

Ok, so I've been looking at a lot of HDR images just recently and they are amazing, plus we've just had a HD laptop so they look even better now!

I know nothing about this technique, I have a fujifilm s1500, what di I need to do to create these pictures? I know theres a lot of editing needed, but wondering if I can do it justice with my camera?

Thanks in advance guys! 

[the_stink]

all you need is 3 exposures -2 0 2+ that is what i tend to go for but its up to you, you can have a lot more exposures to get all the tones etc

you get one -2 so you capture all the shadows, 0 midtones and then 2+ for highlights, there are alot of programs out there if you search for HDR programs loads will come up some have trials like photomatix but leaves a watermark on the final image

i tend to use Photoshop, there is a merge to HDR function but i personally don't like it so i use lots of layers, tweaking levels etc etc dodge and burn so i can get the look I want

im sure if you go on youtube there will be tutorials etc on how to go about it but its really what workflow you feel comfortable with

[TheRaven]

I've downloaded photomatix and I'm gonna go out tomorrow with my tripod and take a few and hope to have a play!

Does it work the same if I take one picture, then adjust it to 3 different exposures in photoshop?

[the_stink]

I've downloaded photomatix and I'm gonna go out tomorrow with my tripod and take a few and hope to have a play!

Does it work the same if I take one picture, then adjust it to 3 different exposures in photoshop?

yeah ive done that a few times but i think it works better with 2 taken in camera

[Charge]

I've downloaded photomatix and I'm gonna go out tomorrow with my tripod and take a few and hope to have a play!

Does it work the same if I take one picture, then adjust it to 3 different exposures in photoshop?

No, as that just lightens the areas picked up by the camera. The camera itself adjusts to capture shadows and/or bright areas.

[shepgti]

heres a couple i took using 7 exposures and edited with photmatix trial

[TheRaven]

Heres one I've just tried from the zombie walk I went on the other day, using a single JPEG, adjusted to 3 different exposures and merged using photomatix!

This is the original



And this is the one I've done!



What dya think?

[Ridg]

the HDR version is a massive improvement over the original, as that's very flat; so the HDR has brought out some of the detail in the granite and increased the blacks quite nicely, I'd say the reds are a little vivid for my liking although given the subject it works well