Starting off with a HDR Experiment

Hey guys,

Was reading all about HDR yesterday and fell in love with those on the spot. So trying my first ever HDR.. any kind of CC is appreciated.

I like it, but then again, I am fascinated by the HDR craze that is sweeping the net. It is definitely more of an art than a craft.

I took one yesterday that has the same diffraction around power lines that yours does. I don't have a clue why it does that, but the effect is cool. I hope you don't mind if I piggy-back, but I would love to hear an explanation from the more knowledgeable members on why this happens.

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You both have some serious problems with the resulting histograms. As can be seen in the histogram for Moin, there is clipping of the highlights and considerable blocking up and clipping of shadow detail.

As can be seen in the histogram for Vetteography, The white point is set way too low so the highlights are not nearly as bright as they can be. Also the shadows are somewhat blocked up and clipped, but not as badly as with Moin.

I have tutorial material that is relevant to Merge to HDR in PSCS3. Even if you are not using that, the material regarding the shooting of the frames to be merged is relevant for all HDR work.

*************HDR******​*********
Step-by-step Tutorial on "Merge to HDR"
Now available at the following Web site:
http://www.zaffora.com​/W9DMK/UsingHDR.htm
or as a downloadable PDF:
http://www.zaffora.com​/W9DMK/UsingHDR.pdf

Here's a link to an example of how a Merge to HDR should work:
https://photography-on-the.net …hp?t=287931&hig​hlight=HDR

Please remember the objective of HDR processing - it is to effectively crowd an excessive dynamic range of tones into the more limited space of the the 8-bits per channel RGB format, which is essentially 256 distinct values of tone in each of the Red, Green and Blue channels. If the final product is still clipping at one end of the scale or the other, you have missed the primary objective.

The phenomenon seen in both of the above shots is extreme posterization.

Yep Bob, technically you are 100% correct. However I've seen some outstanding HDR work that incorporates a bit of clipping on either/both end(s) that enhances the artistic side of a photo. Even a bit of color manipulation....

Agree though that these examples are too extreme.

When I get a chance I look forward to seeing your tutotials...I'm looking around at examples and plan to get more into HDR.

Thanks for the links Bob! I am heading over to read them now.

I should note, for the record, that I had no illusions about the photo I posted. I know it is way over the top and, to be frank, it was just a "playing around" shot I took to see how outrageous it would look when I cranked up the levels. I

I also have no illusions about my complete lack of knowledge and skill on several levels and appreciate the time you spent writing these up!

Robert_Lay wrote in post #5788966
I have tutorial material that is relevant to Merge to HDR in PSCS3. Even if you are not using that, the material regarding the shooting of the frames to be merged is relevant for all HDR work.

*************HDR******​*********
Step-by-step Tutorial on "Merge to HDR"
Now available at the following Web site:
http://www.zaffora.com​/W9DMK/UsingHDR.htm
or as a downloadable PDF:
http://www.zaffora.com​/W9DMK/UsingHDR.pdf

Here's a link to an example of how a Merge to HDR should work:
https://photography-on-the.net …hp?t=287931&hig​hlight=HDR

Please remember the objective of HDR processing - it is to effectively crowd an excessive dynamic range of tones into the more limited space of the the 8-bits per channel RGB format, which is essentially 256 distinct values of tone in each of the Red, Green and Blue channels. If the final product is still clipping at one end of the scale or the other, you have missed the primary objective.

The phenomenon seen in both of the above shots is extreme posterization.

*** A Tad OT ***
Dude,

You are awesome...everytime I hunt for new technical info as well as techniques you have something. I was just yesterday trying to see what HDR was all about. I am a feet first in the deep end sort who trys to grasp the theory and then just sees what I can puzzle out hands on...thanks...

*** /OT ***

Kudos to you Robert, I'm heading off to your tutorials