HDR, First Attempts

[jpthomas27]

Hey guys, I've been poking around in the HDR threadds for a while now and had to give it a shot. These pics really aren't anything from a photographic perspective, I shot them specifically to try HDR and learn a little about it in practice rather than just reading. I learn much faster from doing than just reading.

If you want more info on the shots and a few other HDR attempts of mine click the link. Each gallery contains all five exposures plus the final result.
http://www.pbase.com/jpthomas27/high_dynamic_range

Any and all advise and C&C are much appreciated

http://www.pbase.com/jpthomas27/image/69870057.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/jpthomas27/image/69873572.jpg

[PRETTY LULU]

I liked the scene

only if you were colser in the first one

[Rachellebee27]

That's really cool, any good websites that teach how to do this?

[nismosr]

this may sound stupid but what does HDR stand for ? forgive im new to digital photography.
thanks

[cool_dude07]

HDR = High Dynamic Range

Ty

[nismosr]

HDR = High Dynamic Range

Ty

sorry - and it means ? is it a type of shooting technique?

[jpthomas27]

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It is a process in which 3 or more digital images of varying exposure levels are combined in order to get a single picture that would, because of it's varing levels of light and shadow would otherwise be imposible to achieve with one shot.

There are several methodes / programs that can be used to achieve this effect. The program that I used was Photoshop CS, the steps are outlined on this site: http://www.backingwinds.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to-create-professional-hdr-images.html.

Hope that helps

[jpthomas27]

The closer shot of the first one is the second one. The first one I like because it was very dark in that stair well and it was a good example of the very dark shadows in the stair well and the bright sunlit buildings outside...

[verty]

they dont look HDR to me

[JasonMX]

they dont look HDR to me

That means they are TTHDR and is actually very good, if you aren't going for a surrealistic look.

;)

[Cobra351]

they dont look HDR to me

My thoughts exactly. With this being true I have to say these are some of the best HDR's I've seen yet (as they don't look unnatural in any way). Well done.

[davidmigl]

These are a perfect example of a good use of HDR. Too many times (my images included) an indoor shot will be nicely exposed for the indoors, but the windows will be blown out... just.... ugly..... white. Here, what one would see in real life is preserved. Way to go!!!

[forrestt]

Greetings, You did very well with these. Realistic. I will be trying HDR soon. KC

[sjafari]

they dont look HDR to me

I think thats exactly what i like about them. I like using HDR to get a more natural, "what my eye sees" exposure, and i think the images above did a great job of that.

[jpthomas27]

As many have already pointed out, that is exactly what I wanted. Much of the HDR that I have seen doesn't look realistic at all. They look "photoshoped" and un-natural. What I wanted and what I think the real point of HDR is, is for the picture to be exactly what your eye would see. The pictures above would not be possible with one exposure. Either the outside of the window would be very bright, blown out and overexposed or the inside of the window would be very dark, almost black and under exposed. What I got by using HDR is eactly what I saw standing there, you can see the detail inside the stairwell and outside the windows.

As I said these were a few from my first attempts at HDR and I have plenty that do not look good at all.

[MitsuJDM]

they dont look HDR to me

...exactly