Extending Digital Range

[wcameron]

I've been reading about some of the ways photographers layer images in order to extend the range of lighting beyond what can be recorded either digitally or with film. Are there any good websites or books that really cover this topic for newbies? I'm a long-time shooter that has only recently made the move to digital and I'm amazed by the possibilites that I've discovered.

Any help is appreciated.

[Meaty0]

I think you're referring to Photoshop CS2's "HDR" function. (High Dynamic Range). I only found out about it recently myself. You can read about it here:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/hdr.shtml

[PhotosGuy]

I've used several methods in the links below at one time or another, but lately have simplified MY proceedure which works just fine for car pics. I usually don't need to have it work for fine areas like holding detail in tree branches against the sky. (Or a childs hair against anything else.)
Make 2 exposures in RAW conversion.
1 is "normal".
2 is dark to hold the highlights.

Open 1, then Shift-drag 2 on top of it. (Shift-drag keeps everything registered.)
Layer>Add Layer Mask / Hide All.

As long as the mask has a double line around it (may have to click on it to get one) you can use a light colored brush to paint on the pic which removes the mask effect from the 2 layer. I might start with white @ 40% opacity.
Layer masks are non-destructive. If you make a mistake, just paint over it with a dark brush.
NOTE: all Layer> Adjustment Layers have a built in mask, & this works just great with them, too.

Look for more info in the processing stickys. ;)

Take a look at Layer Masks for a non-destructive method to make changes:
Layer Masks:
Dynamic range question...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=135097
RAitch Tutorial - Burn and Dodge with a Layer
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=810581#post810581
Tutorial - Create a layer mask from image detail
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=100077
Masks - Lightening
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=977235#post977235
Another example using Masks (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=108256) is here.

Russell Brown Tips & Techniques: Advanced Masking
http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html
Scottes: Tutorial: Masking for Noise Reduction (Big!)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48929
BLENDING SEAMS IN STITCHED PANORAMAS - PHOTOSHOP TUTORIAL
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/j.houghton/blending.htm

BLEND MODES:
Blending Modes illustrations
http://mikegondek.com/creativetech/photoshop/17/psp17.htm

[wcameron]

:lol: Thanks for all of your help on this. I'm not working in Photoshop, although it looks like I'll have to step up to it. I'm currently using Paint Shop Pro 8. My problem is that even using automatic bracketing on a tripod, the images don't seem to register well. Are there any programs that help you register one image on top of another? There must be a better way than just nudging here and there until you get it looking alright.

[PhotosGuy]

the images don't seem to register well. Maybe the cam refocused? Or did you change the f-stop instead of the shutter speed?
Most programs at least emulate PS a little bit. Did you try the "Open 1, then Shift-drag 2 on top of it. (Shift-drag keeps everything registered.)" trick?
And, if you have a Move Tool, try clicking on it & see if the arrow keys will move the active layer in small increments.
(Going out of town, so don't answer me) ;)