HDR

I was playing with HDR today and might even splash out the money for the software! What do people think about HDR? Should we have HDR as a topic one month? This image is flawed by me removing the software name from the free download I am using of course. Plus all my other mistakes.

Nice image, Bill. Actually, doesn't look very "HDR'ish" to me, it looks more like a nice fill flash was used in the foreground (ala Galen R).

Another fine example, ahem??!!

As a matter of fact, that is a fine example! Much better than the first.

I've no qualms about images crafted with HDR as long as they look as realistic as possible.
Too many can be spotted as "HDR-ish" right off the bat. You did a real good job here of 'keepin' it real'.

I'm with John on this. HDR is a force that should be used for good, and not evil. All too often, however, some people lean on the software for scenes with too much dynamic range, and the resulting image looks cartoonish. Sometimes you just don't need to turn things up to 11. Sometimes you can't have it all. Sometimes (insert another lame-ass slogan here...).

Bill, these look fine, so I'm not including you in this assessment.

I thought it might be a contentious subject! I'm not too sure of customer acceptance of prints made using this technique but for some types of competition it can be useful, IF used sensibly. The danger is that it creates an image that the eye couldn't have seen but then so do ND filters to an extent and some of the buttons on PS. The eye though is amazingly able to adapt rapidly to different light levels.

These are quite nice, but it still think the problem here is that the reflection (noticeable in the most prominent cloud highlite at top and lake at bottom, not just the hue, but the actual brightness) is noticebly brighter than the actual object. Im surprised Todd didnt notice this, since he taught me to look for it! Minor detaail of course, but its those details that make the difference with HDR i think, since the software so heavily relied on.

I have never dabbled in HDR, so I can offer no advice/criticism on the subject!. Both scenes are very pretty though, and the colours are not at all OTT. I did notice the level of brightness in the reflection and actual sky does vary, as Stan pointed out.

Bill, I think the results from HDR can definitely be overdone. Although, the overdone threshold seems to be in the eye of the beholder. I posted an image a while back which was not a multiple exposure HDR image, but merely one in which some dodging and burning was done to enhance the image. Admittedly, after posting the image and looking at it on my monitor at work, it didn't look completely natural. There were several critiques which felt it was an HDR overdone, but several which indicated they felt it looked natural and liked the image. In addition, the small size allowed here on the forum really doesn't do justice to the full sized image. It actually seems to emphasize the HDR effect. So, I think the real evaluation has to come from your final output be it large print or web. Just my $.10 worth. (Have to keep up with gas pricing)

Nice job, Bill. As a photographer, I think HDR has a place in your toolbox as a technique to express your vision. Used well, with restraint, I think you can get very good results, as you show. Whether to use HDR software or do a manual blend of exposures, really comes down to personal preference. Personally, I want my images to look and feel like what I saw when I shot the image. Often this is a dynamic range that film could not capture. I think that is the basis of Stan's concern. People are conditioned by film as to what a photograph looks like. That conditioning will evolve with digital and good technique by talented photographers.

Nice job.

I've utilized HDR a number of times in the past, but lately have moved towards either grad use or manual blending (or a combination thereof). I have nothing against HDR use when done with restraint (like others have said), but I've just found that I've gotten better results using the other methods. You've done a decent job with your first efforts here, but there are still issues that make for an unnatural look IMO (for example, foregrounds much lighter than backgrounds, the much lighter sky behind the tree in #2). Stuff like that can be overcome once you figure out the software, I'm sure. I guess I just haven't had the patience to do that.

If you would like I can send you an outline of a delivery a friend of mine made to our camera club covering HDR. It was an excellent presentation and it has a lot of sources in it including the various available software. Just send me your eMail address and I will send you a copy. Be sure to tell me it is for the HDR in the subject heading..

martines34@roadrunner.com

Hi Bill,

I've been playing with HDR for some time too... I've gone through what I perceive to be the typical evolution of those new to the technique:

Phase 1: Everything is a HDR shot!
Phase 2: Overprocess, overprocess, overprocess
Phase 3: Retrospection
Phase 4: Cessation of all HDR imaging
Phase 5: Evaluative phase ("Does this scene warrant HDR techniques?")
Phase 5a: Careful processing of HDR images to maintain 'believability'

I'm in the phase 5a stage now, but you seem to have successfully jumped over the all the early phases and have landed in the sweet spot!

I like both images. They're not 'over-baked'. There is some slight halo-ing on the bottom left side of the first image. This seems to be curable in most cases by tweaking with the Highlight and Shadow smoothing settings. Also, there's a little softness in the foliage on the LHS of the second image... Probably a little movement between exposures. How many exposures did you take for each image?

Hi Bill,

I think that you've done a good job with the photo and I also appreciate that you're circumspect of your work - that you're looking for a critique and trying to improve yourself, as we all should do! Bravo!

Frankly, I like your examples much better than what I see in the movies. I recognize that this might seem off topic, but bear with me. I have two small kids, plus a larger one. Cartoons are a staple, of course. But, as a photographer, everytime I see one of these computer-generated cartoons (and, advertisements), I feel the need to internally critique it! I'm always surprised at the amount of detail that appears in the shadows and highlights! ;) It's like cartoons are only created on cloudy days or with 360-surround light! I feel that photographers are still learning HDR and its strengths and weaknesses. And, as others have said, there is a learning curve, HDR can be used well and not well.

I miss Bugs Bunny and the 256 colors, flat appearance, etc... ;)

Tim!

oooooh nicie.

I have tried HDR a few times and once or twice it has come out okay, but generally it doesn't seem to come out like I like it, of course I guess I still have alot of learning on the whole HDR thing yet