My best HDR yet...

...IMO.

I originally took 7 exposures for this shot but in the end only used the most extreme exposures. The most over exposed (3.2s) and most under (1/20s) and merged them. To me it is closest to actually being at the scene.

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Very nice, where was this photo taken?

Dave

As is so often the case, we do not know the extent to which the HDR processing improved the original shots, unless we are lucky enough to get some additional insight into the process.

In my opinion, HDR work should include a median shot - i.e., a straight from the camera with no pp that also happens to be just on the verge of clipping the highlights.

Also recommended is that the mode (JPG or RAW) be mentioned, as well as the specific number of different images that were used in the merge; and whether or not those images were actually different shots or just differently processed versions of a single RAW file.

Lastly, the processing software should be mentioned - e.g., PSCS3 Merge to HDR, Photomatix, etc.

One of the benefits of all this for the critics is the issue of whether or not the photo actually needed HDR treatment. or was it treated as HDR just to see if it would have any significant effect. Another benefit to all would be the inherent tutorial aspect of the process - i.e., giving the viewers a taste of what a great tool is HDR.

One thing that really struck me about the choice of images used is the fact that the exposure times were in the ratio of 64:1 which is 6 f-stops. That is an extreme range, from my experience in that 3 to 4 f-stops is about as large a range as I have used.

Thanks Penodr. This was taking down a access road near where I live. Just some random pond which appear all over my area. I just happened to drive by this one at the right time of day.

Thanks Robert.

I shoot in RAW. For this scene I had shot 7 exposures -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3. After trying to merge all 7 and getting results which I didn't like I tried using the -3 and +3 exposures and loved the results. I was a fairly dark scene with bring patches in the sky. I normally only use 4 stops for HDR but I thought I would get many exposures as 4 stops didn't seem to be enough for this scene. So this was definitely a scene that needed HDR to capture everything.

I used PS3 to merge the RAW files, saved to JPG and then a bit of tweaking in Adobe Camera Raw.

TheReal7 wrote in post #5879180
Thanks Penodr. This was taking down a access road near where I live. Just some random pond which appear all over my area. I just happened to drive by this one at the right time of day.

Thanks Robert.

I shoot in RAW. For this scene I had shot 7 exposures -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3. After trying to merge all 7 and getting results which I didn't like I tried using the -3 and +3 exposures and loved the results. I was a fairly dark scene with bring patches in the sky. I normally only use 4 stops for HDR but I thought I would get many exposures as 4 stops didn't seem to be enough for this scene. So this was definitely a scene that needed HDR to capture everything.

I used PS3 to merge the RAW files, saved to JPG and then a bit of tweaking in Adobe Camera Raw.

Thanks for the additional insight.

It seems that you are going at it quite scientifically - so, I know you are going to get good results. The only additional observation I would make is that it has been my experience that it's not how many different images you merge but how carefully you capture them in the shooting.The shot that is just on the verge of clipping the highlights is critical in that it is necessary to be sure that there is no clipping of highlights in any of the 3 channels. And, I shouldn't have to mention this but that should also be the least exposed shot of the series (corrected July 9).

Robert_Lay wrote in post #5880306
And, I shouldn't have to mention this but that should also be the most exposed shot of the series.

Actually the shot that is exposed as close to the right as possible without clipping should be the "least" exposed shot of the series, but I know you knew that Just clarifying.

LeuceDeuce wrote in post #5880368
Actually the shot that is exposed as close to the right as possible without clipping should be the "least" exposed shot of the series, but I know you knew that Just clarifying.

I'm having these fits of dyslexia more and more often. You are quite correct and I have corrected the earlier post.

Robert_Lay wrote in post #5881091
I'm having these fits of dyslexia more and more often. You are quite correct and I have corrected the earlier post.

See I knew you knew that