First Real Attempt at PPing/RAW/HDR...C&C Please!

[m3n00b]

So I went to the beach to try out the new ND filters to see if I could get some long exposures of the waves and stuff...I guess my ND's aren't dark enough because even at 1/4" my photos were totally overexposed. So I decided to try an HDR. I used 3 RAW shots/ AEB -2, 0, +2. I used photomatix to combine and map them and then used lightroom to refine them. I've not really used these programs before and I'm curious how to make the most of them. Any comments/help would be appreciated. I've included one of the originals for comparison. Looking at it now, on my monitor at work, it looks way too contrasty and over-saturated.

[m3n00b]

Here's another edit.

[dugcross]

This is not a true hdr. You need at least 3 exposed shots to do this. You can't take one shot and then in LIghtroom or where ever and make 2 more exposures -2 and +2. You're not going to magically pull out details in the shadows and highlights that are not there to begin with. That's why you need to start with 3 differently exposed shot not make 3 exposed shots. Sorry, didn't mean to sound harsh but I could tell this right away with the the way the wave somehow stayed in the exact place on all 3 shots without moving an inch. In your "hdr" photo the whites still blown out the you have no detail in the shadows. Again wasn't trying to be harsh but just giving you my opinion.:)

[m3n00b]

I actually did take 3 different exposed photos with the T1i and then merged them in photomatix. The wave did move in each of the different photos....which is why it's kind of blurry. How do I bring out the highlight and shadow detail better using photomatics, pscs4 or lightroom?

[dugcross]

I actually did take 3 different exposed photos with the T1i and then merged them in photomatix. The wave did move in each of the different photos....which is why it's kind of blurry. How do I bring out the highlight and shadow detail better using photomatics, pscs4 or lightroom?

My apologies then. Apparently I could not tell that on my monitor. My advise is since you're just learning, when you tone map it, go towards the bottom and select one of the presets. That will give a good base to work from. Tweak it a little. Myself from that point I bring it back into Lightroom. A couple of adjustments that I do in Lightroom that brings out a little more detail is to bump up the blacks a little (which in this shot doesn't' look like you need to do that) and bump up the clarity. It does take a while to get the hang of it but don't give up, once you do you come out with some amazing shots.

[m3n00b]

Ok thanks!. I think I chose the wrong scene to photograph. I'll need a scene with more contrasting areas. Something with more shadows. I've got a few others where I AEB'd that I can try.

[Bollan]

I actually did take 3 different exposed photos with the T1i and then merged them in photomatix. The wave did move in each of the different photos....which is why it's kind of blurry. How do I bring out the highlight and shadow detail better using photomatics, pscs4 or lightroom?

You have to look at the tone mapped image as a good base to start with. Then your best place to finish it off is in PS for the because of the use of layers.

To sort out your blurry wave you need to open your tone mapped image in PS then layer your original shots together with it. Easiest way is picking the best one out of your originals and make it look as close as possible to your tone mapped image. This is specially important in the area you need to mask in, in this case the waves.

Then its just a matter of creating a layer mask on your tone mapped image, pick a suitable brush with roughly 30% opacity and paint in the the wave from your original shot. Voilà and suddenly the blurry waves are gone.

The same technique is essential for restoring a more natural looking sky or fixing blurry people in urban HDR's. In general masking is the secret behind a truly good HDR image.

Your image isn't maybe the best suited one for a good HDR as it is a rather flat low contrast scene to start with. Still your second attempt is on the right way. Sorting the blurriness of the waves out and adding a dash of contrast to the horizon will improve it further.

[m3n00b]

Yeah I didn't think so. I think a better HDR image would be one I took of a park with dark trees and bright lake. I will work on that one. Thanks for the tips!