Since I've been posting a few High Dynamic Range images, I thought I would start a new thread dedicated just to this specific type of photography. For a great explanation of what HDR is, Wikipedia has a great entry on the subject (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDR_photography).
Feel free to discuss techniques and share any HDR images you have here!
Here are a few more examples that I've done out at MNRF.
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/hobbithole1a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/kingsarbor2a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/kingsarbor3a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/merchantrow1a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/secretgarden1a.jpg)
would you mind typing up a quick tutorial? I have an idea how to do it, but I dont recall seeing it on DPS and i have wanted to try it...
Yes DB, could you please write up a small tutorial for this I find it absolutely fascinating. The pictures in a way look like pencil drawings. Awesome work!
DB, those are simply awesome. I used to screw around a bit with HDR, but as long as you insist on posting yours, I'm not doing any more. Ya know the old saying...never follow a better act. :)
Excellent work DB. Out of curiosity, hand-held or tripod?
Quote from: bellevivre on September 08, 2009, 02:06:16 PM
would you mind typing up a quick tutorial? I have an idea how to do it, but I dont recall seeing it on DPS and i have wanted to try it...
Unfortunately there is no "quick tutorial" for this. It would take me a month of Sundays to type up the basic premise of what it takes to complete the process. I consider myself an advanced amateur at best with HDR at this point. It's take me months to get to the point of getting acceptable results that I've felt worth sharing.
Basically, I use 7 images from 3 stops underexposed to 3 stops overexposed and combine all of them using tonal mapping to pulling the best detail out of each frame to get the final results.
Quote from: Xanthenes The Unbalanced on September 08, 2009, 02:49:13 PM
DB, those are simply awesome. I used to screw around a bit with HDR, but as long as you insist on posting yours, I'm not doing any more. Ya know the old saying...never follow a better act. :)
Hey, don't discount yourself. Your images have a quality all their own.
Quote from: valt on September 08, 2009, 05:06:42 PM
Excellent work DB. Out of curiosity, hand-held or tripod?
Tripod, although I did manage ONE set of images that I managed handheld, to my surprise. Any movement in the frame severely takes away from the quality.
There are many programs that can process HDR. Ont is Photomatix
hers their Tutorial (http://www.hdrsoft.com/resources/tutorial_basic/index.html)
Quote from: renfairephotog on September 08, 2009, 11:34:33 PM
There are many programs that can process HDR. Ont is Photomatix
hers their Tutorial (http://www.hdrsoft.com/resources/tutorial_basic/index.html)
Heh, thanks RFP. Photomatix is just one of the programs I use to achieve the final result. Most times it's about 50/50 Photomatix and CS4 to get the final results. I'd say it takes me about 1-2 hours of work per HDR image.
Here's a few more pics!
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/fairyhouse1a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/pubgarden2a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/windrosemill1a.jpg)
what I love about these is that they embody that magical quality that Faire takes on in our memory's eye...
honestly? you could SELL these at faire, and I know I would buy...
do you mind if I save to my hard drive (for personal wallpaper/screensaver use)?
Actually, I've had overwhelming requests for prints of these, so that may be just what I do. I think I'm going to set up ordering on my Etsy page...
Quote from: Deadbishop on September 08, 2009, 11:07:46 PM
Basically, I use 7 images from 3 stops underexposed to 3 stops overexposed and combine all of them using tonal mapping to pulling the best detail out of each frame to get the final results.
DB, please forgive my ignorance of the process (and my laziness, since I didn't read the tut for the software) but do you mean you use 7
copies of one image, arrayed in layers, with the exposure levels adjusted individually,
then apply tonal mapping,
then merge down into one layer?
Is this done using an overlay effect with each layer, and if so, is there any transparency adjustment between layers to bring out different elements of your scene, or uniform 50% transparency?
Do you ever apply any masking to any of your layers, to bring out certain focal points within a shot?
Is it possible to record an Action to carry this out in batch, or is it imperative that it be individual tweaking of each image until you've got something you're happy with?
Sorry for the 20 questions, but I'm not a photographer, and HDR is new to me. As a graphic designer (and erstwhile digital artist), however, I see applications for this that may have nothing to do with photography, and my curiosity has been piqued... LOL I'm also a bit behind the times, and only have access to CS2 (well, when I have access at all, anyway), so it's entirely probable that there are all sorts of exciting new tools that I'm woefully unfamiliar with. :-\ I need to start saving for an upgrade, I guess...
Honestly, the wikipedia entry that I linked in my first post explains the process better than I ever could in my own words. It even shows an example of an image using 4 different exposures to get to the final image.
Let me know if you get prints on your Etsy site? I think my craft room needs a few ='D
Quote from: Deadbishop on September 13, 2009, 12:56:33 AM
Honestly, the wikipedia entry that I linked in my first post explains the process better than I ever could in my own words. It even shows an example of an image using 4 different exposures to get to the final image.
Ok, sorry... :-[ I tend to get a little over-enthusiastic once my curiosity has been roused, and I wanna ask all the questions that are running through my head all at once. I'll just go read up on it... :) Thanks for threading the topic!!!
Here's a few more HDR pics form this weekend!
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/badmanor1a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/canon1a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/badmanor2a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/bakerystage1a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/macs1a.jpg)
A few from 4th and 5th weekends of MNRF....
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/familytable.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/macgregorgames.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/potteryshop.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/jivasilk1a.jpg)
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/kingsarbor4a.jpg)
Nice shots, DB. Out of curiosity, how early are you arriving to get shots that aren't completely flooded with visitors?
Quote from: Deadbishop on September 23, 2009, 10:59:50 AM
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad265/DB_HDR/MNRF_HDR/potteryshop.jpg)
Beware! Beware! It's the Ghost of RenFaire Past!
Quote from: Xanthenes The Unbalanced on September 23, 2009, 11:04:37 AM
Nice shots, DB. Out of curiosity, how early are you arriving to get shots that aren't completely flooded with visitors?
He works there so he in before Gate.
Quote from: renfairephotog on September 23, 2009, 10:43:32 PM
Quote from: Xanthenes The Unbalanced on September 23, 2009, 11:04:37 AM
Nice shots, DB. Out of curiosity, how early are you arriving to get shots that aren't completely flooded with visitors?
He works there so he in before Gate.
Yep, I get these shots either before they let people in, or after they shut down. A few of the shots have been during open hours (and you can see ghostly images of people in some of them), but I enjoy my quiet strolls through the fest grounds all by myself before opening canon. Nothing like having the place all to myself... :)
A few more with people in them!
Foaming Stein
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs265.snc1/9230_166646751349_511191349_4051842_3722706_n.jpg)
THE Mead Booth
(http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs245.snc1/9230_166646771349_511191349_4051845_4467058_n.jpg)
DB, I am in awe of these shots!! You make faire even more magical...if that's even possible!!
I agree- it's as if, through this lens, Faire actually LOOKS the way I know I (and I think many Rennies) see it in their mind's eye- a magical, vibrant landscape...
It's not just the HDR techniquie, because there are many ways to adjust the levels- it's ARTISTRY and TALENT, and you have it in spades.
Quote from: renfairephotog on September 08, 2009, 11:34:33 PM
There are many programs that can process HDR. One is Photomatix
here's their Tutorial (http://www.hdrsoft.com/resources/tutorial_basic/index.html)
Another is Hydra (http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/aperture/hydrahdrpluginforaperture.html) for Aperture users.
I know a bit about levels in CS, and switching modes before tweaking, but it was the multiple image part that threw me at first. I wish I could afford new software, but maybe I can play around with it in CS and stumble upon something vaguely similar.
Or... not. LOL
Quote from: bellevivre on September 25, 2009, 09:55:59 AM
I agree- it's as if, through this lens, Faire actually LOOKS the way I know I (and I think many Rennies) see it in their mind's eye- a magical, vibrant landscape...
It's not just the HDR techniquie, because there are many ways to adjust the levels- it's ARTISTRY and TALENT, and you have it in spades.
Agreed! ...as for the mind's eye..the last shot just above of the little thatched cottage and the flower lined pathway...pretty sure Anna would love to live there. :)
Anna...would ya care for a roomie? Cause I've dreamt of that cottage! lol
I worked on more photos recently. You can see them on my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/jamie.piekkola) or on my website gallery (http://www.deadbishop.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=17719).