CS2 Merge to HDR (Large Images)

[chris.bailey]

I have heard that the merge to HDR tool in CS2 might be ideal for Architectural Photography due to the greater latitude of shadow and higlight capture that 32 bits might represent.

The following images are generated from 10 1 stop differential HDR merged RAW's i.e. effectively a bracketed exposure of +/- 5 stops!

http://www.pbase.com/chris_bailey/image/48389182.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/chris_bailey/image/48388963.jpg

I also developed the midpoint RAW and printed the resultant 4 images all as 16 bit images. The HDR images certainly have greater range even than single RAW files and the printed images have more tonal contrast with more shadow detail and less blowing out of the highlights. These differences dont show on downsampled jpegs so I didnt bother posting them.

I think I need to do more trials before using them for real, the big downside being that a slight breeze creates some fuzzy elements (trees for instance) as the bracketing has to be done manually so takes several seconds. I did try a 3 shot bracketed exposure but the results are not nearly as impressive.

Anyone else tried it yet?

[ryno4youth]

Agreed, HDR is great. Anyone used to using curves and levels, will fall in love when they realize that you have so much detail possibilities. It is amazing, but time consuming, and can't level them in 32bit if you have to work on your image. Good work.

[drisley]

I just see red x's instead of pictures.

[jfrancho]

Anyone else tried it yet?No I haven't, but after seeing your results, I might. I've been making monochromes conversions using 2-4 develops of a single raw capture and amnually combining them to increase the range. Looks like this might take some of the pain out that process?

[drisley]

Ah, the pictures are showing now. Nice.
I tried combining some images that were converted from raw using different levels of exposure, and the HDR tool wouldn't let me. It said something about the range not being large enough.

[Scottes]

I've definitely got to play with this. I've actually got a pano that would benefit, if I could only find the time...

There's another company, Photomatix, that's been doing HDR for a while. Their sample on the web page look much better than CS2's. http://www.hdrsoft.com/

Hey Chris, think you could post some/one of the images that went into the shots above? Perhaps the "best" exposed shot, or the lightest and darkest ones?

[chris.bailey]

I've definitely got to play with this. I've actually got a pano that would benefit, if I could only find the time...

There's another company, Photomatix, that's been doing HDR for a while. Their sample on the web page look much better than CS2's. http://www.hdrsoft.com/

Hey Chris, think you could post some/one of the images that went into the shots above? Perhaps the "best" exposed shot, or the lightest and darkest ones?

The darkest was black and the lightest way burnt out. Raw alone could have recovered something from the darkest shots (but with a lot of noise) whereas the burn-out ones would be unsalvageable. HDR is very similar to RAW in that you have a much greater DR to 'pick' from and also how to process the extra info when it is downsampled. Rumour has it that CS3 will have a lot more HDR functionality.

I have since read up on Merge to HDR a bit and there are several things I did wrong...

I have a couple of "must shoot again sometimes" church ruins near me that would benefit from this so will try and post a mini-tutorial when I do that. Being dark stone with some bits always in shadow its a real challenge that this might well solve. Needs to be a still early morning so that narrows it down too.

[Scottes]

I have since read up on Merge to HDR a bit and there are several things I did wrong...

I have a couple of "must shoot again sometimes" church ruins near me that would benefit from this so will try and post a mini-tutorial when I do that.
I'm looking forward to it.

[avdbrandt]

When i take a RAW pic and create several exposed pics CS2 is telling me that "there is not enough dynamic range", so do i need to change more that exposure only ? , you guys have any idea why that is ?
I'm looking forward to your tut as well and hopefully I get rid of these nasty blown highlights

[theflyingkiwi]

Just on a side note, and for those that are in to computer games will more than likey know this. But in the addin for half-life 2 the engine update is going to have HDR technolgy in it.

HDR in photoshop I haven't played with yet but I am looking forward to it as some point and those that are really are creative will be able to do some great photos.

And for those that don't have a understanding on HDR for photos vist http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/hdr.shtml

[bachscuttler]

When i take a RAW pic and create several exposed pics CS2 is telling me that "there is not enough dynamic range", so do i need to change more that exposure only ? , you guys have any idea why that is ?
I'm looking forward to your tut as well and hopefully I get rid of these nasty blown highlights

You need to get the latitude straight from the camera by auto bracketing or manual bracketing.
I've tried this too and the RAW convertor can't compensate enough to create images that will will work with CS2 HDR

[cyclone]

OK here is a potentially stupid question. If you are braketing 10 stops, would you use shutter speed, aperture, or ISO? Shutter speed is OK if no wind, aperture would change the depth of focus, and ISO would change noise. I guess shutter speed would be best overall under ideal conditions.

[Scottes]

Shutter, absolutely shutter. This will keep the noise (ISO) and depth of field (aperture) the same in every shot. Use manual mode or else you'll also get the same exposure every time. Or choose Av mode and use EC +/- if you don't need many exposures.