Single RAW file test HDR image: opinions

[Tsmith]

I took this single photo shot in RAW and exposed three separate images in RawShooter Premium from it. The first adjusted - 2/stops under, the second as the camera saw it 0/stops and the third + 2/stops over. Combined them all in the trial version of Photomatix (watermark in photo) then did an automated tone map.

It was a pretty quick streamlined process.

What you think for a first attempt? Is this software and plug in worth the $109? Maybe so _ :confused:

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/63995811/original.jpg

If need be this can be moved to the RAW, Post processing and printing section

[ChuckJr]

I like your end result. HDR images are something that really interest me. That said I am just looking at getting back into photography after a long layoff (I used to use film:) ) and I know nothing about the process to get the best images for HDR. I am interested in seeing the replies you get, because I would love to do this one day. It looks like a lot of fun.

Chuck

p.s. Nice to see someone else from Mississippi!:)

[Tsmith]

p.s. Nice to see someone else from Mississippi!:)

LOL _ that makes three of us on POTN including myself that I know of and thanks for the input _ and too welcome to POTN.

[ChuckJr]

LOL _ that makes three of us on POTN including myself that I know of and thanks for the input _ and too welcome to POTN.

Thanks! I have enjoyed it so far and I really like the Travel and Landscapes section. People in this forum are very nice and knowledgeable. It has helped me so much follwing following a lot of the posts. I haven't purchased my equipment yet and I am glad because some of my thinking has changed for the better, since I found this place.

Okay, I'll hush now. Back to what this thread was intended for!:)

[alexwise]

Lovely shot Bluedog.

I really like the detail and colour which has been brought out on the rocks this really looks stunning! If I had any complaints I'd maybe play with the sky a little bit more as it seems a little darkish but you might not be able to help that.

[Titus213]

It is a great shot IMO. The HDR conversion is OK but I do see some haloing along the skyline on the left, something that seems common with HDR. I do like the level in the trees down front. Did you by chance try the same thing with CS2? I would probably not spend $100 on the that product, especially if I had CS2. At least not until I could really justify it. HDR is something I probably will never use in the business so it would be for pure fun and I have too many other things to play with right now.

[aparmley]

Toney I'd like to see the orginal and maybe back off that -2 EC shot - that might remove the real dark areas in this image . . .

[Tsmith]

Toney I'd like to see the original and maybe back off that -2 EC shot - that might remove the real dark areas in this image . . .

OK Andy _ straight from the camera using the default 30D parameters.

http://upload.pbase.com/image/64015147/original.jpg

[Tsmith]

I'm really liking what this application can add to an image.

Canon EOS 30D Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/64016125/original.jpg

[stupot]

wheres the watermark gone... did you buy it?! really nice images.. im tempted to a) start shooting RAW! and b) get this software.

[Tsmith]

LOL _ I couldn't take it any longer. I've gotta work on it still as these are just some very quick edits I've done so far.

[Duder]

the first shot looks a bit overdone, the foreground is to light and the sky's been darkened too much, but it's better than the staight-out-of-the-camera shot.

also, there's absolutely no point in generating an HDR from a single RAW file. you'd be better off just tone mapping a single 16-bit tiff file.

[Tsmith]

Thanks for the pointers Pete _ I'll have to give to give the single tiff a try.

a quick single 16 bit TIFF tone mapped.

http://www.pbase.com/smith_xt/image/64029086/original.jpg

[damansidhu]

I really like the last shot there, it depicts the huge scale of the falls so powerfully. I must plan a vacation to California soon :)

[Littleben]

Second and second last and last are all magnificent captures.

congrieves.

[Dimitri_V]

I don`t know B.,somehow it seems that you lose contrast that way and the image looks a bit artificial,thats in my eyes though.
I might be wrong or simply used to the traditional system.

[Tsmith]

I don`t know B.,somehow it seems that you lose contrast that way and the image looks a bit artificial,thats in my eyes though.
I might be wrong or simply used to the traditional system.

You know that makes for a very valid point D i m i t r i > the "traditional system" _ as for the contrast these are pretty quickly done edits so I need to tweak the details a little better for sure but I'm open to new stuff and this HDR process is rather easily done _ even Tone Mapping with a single 16 bit TIFF as Pete point out.

Thanks for the comments everyone ... ;)

[Hikin Mike]

Is tone mapping a single file the same as Levels Adjusting?