HDR Imaging

[tyflier]

HDR stands for "High Dynamic Range". It is a process that is relatively new, where you take 2 or more exposures at different stops of the same scene, and combine them. Typically, you use 3 exposures...one under-exposed, one over-exposed, and one properly exposed. You then merge these three images into one image, giving you an impossible range of tonality in the final image.

Here's a couple examples I have been playing with using HDR imaging:

Threes in my backyard. This one uses 3 exposures at 0.3 EV stops. That means one picture at -0.3 EV, one picture at + 0.3 EV, and one picture properly exposed. I merged them, adjusted the contrast, and this is what you end up with. You can see that there is a seemingly impossible amount of variation between pure white and pure black in terms of tone...impossible to achieve in a single exposure...

This one uses the exact same process of 3 exposures merged, and then I converted it to greyscale as it looked "cleaner" to my eye.

I'm fairly excited about what can be done using HDR imaging. Very neat process, though I, admittedly, still favor a "real photo" to a heavily processed HDR image. But still...the beauty and surrealism of an HDR image is really tough to ignore...

Thanks for looking!!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Those are really cool images! The colors just seem to POP so much better than just with one shot. It's especially true of the sky in the first picture. The second picture almost has an "antique" feel to it. Great work, Chris!

 

[Nanci]

I like the color one. Especially the sky. You should try it with just plain sky and maybe a cloud.

 

[toyah]

The second one is really nice. It almost looks IR.

I really love HDR and tone mapping, when done properly. It can be a really useful tool. Here are a few of mine:

 

[Jynx]

Everything you just said was complete and utter gibberish to me... but your pictures are pretty!

 

[starsevol]

Chris, those are some beautiful shots.

Really beautiful shots.

Now maybe it's time to try photos of living subjects....you know...like snakes.
I would really like to see shots of your entire collection.
Pretty please?

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I would really like to see shots of your entire collection.

I second this. Motion passed! Chris, you must hereby photograph your entire collection, and post it within the next two weeks.

 

[Drizzt80]

Would this be a similar method that gives 300 and Sin City their unique "look" or "feel"?

D80

 

[The Nothing]

HDR... i like it... many people have NO CLUE what they're doing and ruin an otherwise decent pic... i just don't like to put that much time into post processing anything..

 

[RavenSpirit360]

Wow those are all really nice pics.. I have never even heard of this technique before, and I love photography.. I am only into basic stuff so far..

 

[NFS07]

That is something I will HAVE to learn. How did you learn how to do it?

 

[RavenSpirit360]

Maybe you can teach me some photography techniques oneday

 

[tyflier]

Maybe you can teach me some photography techniques oneday

Would LOVE to! Just say the word!

That is something I will HAVE to learn. How did you learn how to do it?

It's "in program" on the newer photo editing programs. Photomatix is the biggest HDR tool, but I use Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, and it is a feature of this program as well. As well, most "modern" D-SLR cameras have an auto-bracketing feature which automatically sets you camera to bracket your exposures...one under one over one proper. Shooting in RAW helps with the image quality for HDR...

 

[The Nothing]

and now the new Ricoh point and shoot does in camera HDR!!

 

[RavenSpirit360]

Just tell me when