Converting RAW to HDR

[KellyDean]

Please explain how this is done in detail.
I have no knowledge of this technique and i just got photoshop.
I CANT WAIT!!!

Thanks in advance.

[Khaled]

PhotoMatrix Pro is the best application for HDR. In Photoshop go to File > Automate > Merge into HDR.

Use 3 or more files taken with a camera mounted on a tripod (showing the same view) using three different exposures. Preferably +2EV, 0EV, -2EV. You can use your camera's AEB to obtain these exposures in one burst.

After that, it's all up you of what to do with the image. It your taste, there is no rule for HDR.

I tried it myself and didn't find it very interesting, I believe that I need more practice !!

[polarbare]

It depends on what you're looking for. Are you looking for something resembling a "normal" photograph that just has a greater dynamic range? then use photoshop's built in HDR utility.
If you want something with the photomatix look, use that. and of course there are other solutions available. If you'll let me know what type of HDRs you're looking to make I'll post some step by steps.

[pprice]

I tried it on Photonatrix with 3 photo's taken on my tri-pod -2 0 +2 and they turned out very bad. I have not tried it on CS3 yet. on PM they looked real red and I could not get the colors to look right at all. I'll be watching this thread also!!

[Khaled]

pprice, just play with the adjustments. I watched a video of a pro user of Photomatrix and all of what he did was random selection of levels.

There is no rule for HDR, you need more time to play with the adjustment levels and you could come up with decent images.

[pprice]

When I get back home in a couple of weeks I will try it again and document what I come up with.

[pprice]

I have been reading up on this tonight and I think I see what I am doing wrong.

I'm not trying to take over your threadm but I think all of this will help you too :) .

I was shoot in raw and just loading the 3 raw files strait into photomatrix. From what I have read, I need to make them into a TIFF file first. Does this sound right?

[pprice]

Oh, for the OP, here is the link I found...

http://tutorialblog.org/hdr-tutorials-roundup/

[Khaled]

pprice, even RAW images will do :) Uncompressed images is the key behind HDR.

[pprice]

Well dang, that means I am doing something else wrong lol.

[conkeroo]

Try an app called Dynamic-Photo HDR. I find it has you have more control over the image than using Photomatix and you can create a HDR using one raw file.

[pprice]

I guess you mean this one...

http://www.mediachance.com/hdri/index.html

Its better?

[LeuceDeuce]

I guess you mean this one...

http://www.mediachance.com/hdri/index.html

Its better?

This is my HDRI software of choice as well. I've used both, and I prefer Dynamic-Photo HDR over Photomatix.

[JoYork]

I'm currently messing around with 3 different HDR progs:

1) Photomatix
2) Dynamic Photo HDR
3) EasyHDR

All 3 produce completely different photos. Unfortunately I'm also finding no clear winner - one prog may produce a good image from one RAW file, a different prog may be the clear winner from a different RAW file.

The thing I like the least is the seemingly random nature about using these things. I keep messing around altering sliders, then importing into an image editor to finish the job off. I don't feel like I have much control, I just have to mess around with each of them until I find something I like.

I'm not a fan of overly-processed images either, I always try to recreate what I saw with my own eyes at the time I took the photos.

It's not easy but when it works... wow.

[LeuceDeuce]

I'm currently messing around with 3 different HDR progs:

1) Photomatix
2) Dynamic Photo HDR
3) EasyHDR

All 3 produce completely different photos. Unfortunately I'm also finding no clear winner - one prog may produce a good image from one RAW file, a different prog may be the clear winner from a different RAW file.

The thing I like the least is the seemingly random nature about using these things. I keep messing around altering sliders, then importing into an image editor to finish the job off. I don't feel like I have much control, I just have to mess around with each of them until I find something I like.

I'm not a fan of overly-processed images either, I always try to recreate what I saw with my own eyes at the time I took the photos.

It's not easy but when it works... wow.

If you're not a fan of the cartoony style, try the following settings in Dynamic:

Start with Eye-Catching
Brightness: 18
Color Saturation: 0.65
Vivid Colors: 0.05
Dramatic Light Radius: 10.0
Dramatic Light Strength: 0.15
Surface Smoothness: 0.50

That's basically my starting point for 90% of my HDR's. I finish the fine tuning in CS3. The results are a compressed dynamic range with a more photo-realistic result.

[Roy C]

Try an app called Dynamic-Photo HDR. I find it has you have more control over the image than using Photomatix and you can create a HDR using one raw file.
You can also create a HDR from a single raw with Photomatix.

[greenskygreenlake]

I have been messing around with Photomatix for a little bit and have had some good results. I found that this tutorial http://stuckincustoms.com/2006/06/06/548/ to be very helpful.

[brecklundin]

I was pursuing an interesting book on this at Borders the other day. I thought it sounded like something fun to look at trying as rainy-day projects if I keep a stack of pics just for the purpose.

The book was this one The HDRI Handbook: High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists +DVD (ILLUSTRATED) (http://www.amazon.com/HDRI-Handbook-Dynamic-Imaging-Photographers/dp/1933952059/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2HYMOLCKSCU8R&colid=3JUBDN18D8KJW). It seemed well done but, honestly I don't have the knowledge it's usefulness. Heck, I am not sure if the topic is worthy of it's own book. It's a purdy book though with lots of examples. I found the explanations easy to grasp.

[KellyDean]

i would like to achieve both the cartoon style and the just a lil more detailed style.
I will be doing promo photography for some recording artists soon.

I am using Photoshop cs3 and a cannon rebel xti with a 10-22mm lens

A step by step would be great!

[arg245]

It depends on what you're looking for. Are you looking for something resembling a "normal" photograph that just has a greater dynamic range? then use photoshop's built in HDR utility.
If you want something with the photomatix look, use that. and of course there are other solutions available. If you'll let me know what type of HDRs you're looking to make I'll post some step by steps.

Just what is the "Photomatix look"? If you're refering to the overprocessed, cartoon looking images, that's not Photomatix's fault - It's usually deliberate on the part of the photographer (in some cases it looks and works great), or, it's someone who really doesn't know how to use Photomatix properly.

Photomatix's advantages are it's flexiiblity to provide you with a myriad of options. I find it's output generates less noise, less halo-ing, and generates THE best pseudo HDR image form one good quality raw file.

Example...

Original Raw converted to jpg:

http://capturedinlight.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p1014890868-3.jpg

HDR (from one raw file):

http://capturedinlight.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p998598825-3.jpg

[arg245]

Another Photomatix (Single RAW file) example.......

Original:

http://capturedinlight.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p517288168-3.jpg

HDR:

http://capturedinlight.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p137439930-3.jpg