Mikes Photography

hil26 · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:02 am Post subject: An experiment in pseudo hdr

That is processing one file.

First is the RAW file saved as jpg in CS3

Second is using a plug in called Redynamix by a company called Mediachance - they do the DCE tools plug ins. This was run on the jpg above.

Last is RAW file processed in Photomatix V3

Think the jury is still out for me, may be more learning to do on this one.
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creators · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

I have to say that I don't like HDR so this comes with prejudice, I much prefer it au natural.
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the neepster · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject:

I prefer the first one! I'm still not convinced by the whole HDR thing. I think it does work sometimes, but so many images just appear overcooked or unnatural.
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hil26 · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject:

think an issue trying it with this image is the lack of dynamic range in the original.

not sure that this was a good image for the experiment
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chris82 · Stacker! Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 508 Location: Belfast

Ive been itching to get into HDR for a while.I did some research and I found out that you can achive HDR with CS3 alone.Heres how
Very Happy

First you must shoot in raw mode as this is essential for obtaining different EVs.
Open up your shot in photoshop and make any where from 4 - 9 different jpegs of the same image with 4 - 9 different exposure settings.(E.G.)when you open up the shot for the first time in raw 4.1 push the exposure setting all the way back to -4,open into photoshop and save as hdr1.repeat the same process pushing the exposure up to -3 then -2...ect...ect.

Once you have a full range of jpegs at different exposures open up photoshop on its own and click the file tab.In the dropdown menu select automate then select merge to HDR.You will be prompted to select which files you want to automate.select the files you modified earlier and click ok.Let photoshop do its thing and after a while you will be shown the hdr image.

Dont worry if it looks a little over cooked as you can desselect the files you dont want and reselect them if need be and you will be given more options which I dont need to tell you what to do here as its your image and only you know how you want it to look so play around and see what you come up with.Once you finally click ok and your image is in the normal photoshop dont forget to change you image to 8bit as the hdr rendering is done in 32bit but the normal functions i.e filters and channel mixers wont work if your image is 32bit.

I have seen some great results from this but I have also seen some amazing results from photomatix.So my votes with them.

I hope this helps

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