HDR book

[r.morales]

I read the photo books post - did I miss a book on HDR/ There are 6 or 7 listed on amazon , but I would prefer a title someone here has read and is happy it was bought .
I'm on a Mac .

[kirkt]

http://www.hdrlabs.com/book/index.html

Excellent reference and practical resource. Explore the companion website as well.

Kirk

[r.morales]

kirkt - thank you , I wanted feed back from some one other than a relative etc .
I just ordered the book .
Now I need a program for a Mac that has a manual . The pdf books suck - to many pages to print . I keep a book in car for Doctors appointments , wife's shopping - etc .
Did you post here and I missed it /
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53846
Thanks again .

[kirkt]

If you are looking for HDR apps with printed manuals, I'm guessing you will not find one. You will probably have to print a PDF or web site tutorial pages, etc.

However, the Handbook I linked you to covers several different HDR apps in detail, with examples of the workflow in each app, so that is as good as having a printed manual. The Handbook also goes into detail regarding the use of HDR imaging in computer graphics, most specifically in the use of Image Based Lighting. maybe not your cup of tea, but it adds some practical application to HDR beyond basic photography.

Definitely explore the HDRLabs website for tips, tricks, etc. as well as a list of HDR apps here:

http://www.hdrlabs.com/tools/links.html

There is usually not much to the actual process of combining multiple exposures into a single HDR image. THe trick is in the acquisition of the exposure sequence and the tone-mapping performed on the HDR to make it viewable, final 8 bit image. THe Handbook goes into this in detail, so I think you will really like the read - plus, the author has a great sense of humor.

Enjoy,

Kirk

[r.morales]

Thanks again , was at web site and like the descriptions of programs . Like I said , I ordered the book .
The bad thing is I have to read and reread till it makes sense .

[zack3082]

very nice post. ill be ordering that hdrlabs book saturday after i get paid.

does it cover the use of photomatix?

[kirkt]

very nice post. ill be ordering that hdrlabs book saturday after i get paid.

does it cover the use of photomatix?

Yep.

[r.morales]

Just got the book . Came with a CD / DVD -so far - 1st 15 pages - seems OK .

[kirkt]

The first few chapters are more theory and origin of HDR, image file format pros-and-cons, how digital cameras see the world compared to human vision, etc. A little technical but well written in plain english - then you get into the stuff you are interested in - how to shoot a sequence of LDR exposures, combine them into an HDR, and then tone map them using various apps.

Keep with it!

Kirk