Hdr?

jvargochik

New member
I would like to try out HDR photography. Which HDR software would you recommend? I use Aperture & CS5 for all my editing. Also, is there a good book on HDR that you would recommend? Thanks in advance!
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Photomatix is pretty good, you can download a free trial to test it out. I have Photomatix "light" , for only $39 it does everything I need.
 

ohkphoto

Snow White
I second the recommendation for Photomatix. However, you can process HDR in CS5. Shoot in aperature priority, auto-brack at least 3 shots, and selct "merge to HDR" in photoshop.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
+1 more for Photomatix. I've tried them all, and it's the best as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, you will want 3, 5, 7, or 9 exposures for HDR. Your results may vary, but I personally go with 5 90% of the time.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Yup, another vote for Photomatix. Start with 3 shots at first, see how you like the results, then go from there to experiment. Either way, you can't go wrong. Have fun. :)
 

MrRamonG

Senior Member
I use CS5 and haven't been disappointed. It is terribly easy as well. Any of the HDR images I have posted were processed in CS5.
 

Eye-level

Banned
Laura I cheat with my hdr...basically what I do most of the time is take one shot...then I bust that into two other files...then I open the first one with windows photo gallery and adjust the exposure and contrast to darker conditions...then I open the second one and adjust it into bright conditions...then I recombine all three with photomatix...then I have some other tricks after that but I'm a pirate and if I told you I would probably have to take your picture...lol :)
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Laura I cheat with my hdr...basically what I do most of the time is take one shot...then I bust that into two other files...then I open the first one with windows photo gallery and adjust the exposure and contrast to darker conditions...then I open the second one and adjust it into bright conditions...then I recombine all three with photomatix...then I have some other tricks after that but I'm a pirate and if I told you I would probably have to take your picture...lol :)

Time to change your avatar for the one with the pirate eye patch Jeff ;)
 

Lscha

Senior Member
Laura I cheat with my hdr...basically what I do most of the time is take one shot...then I bust that into two other files...then I open the first one with windows photo gallery and adjust the exposure and contrast to darker conditions...then I open the second one and adjust it into bright conditions...then I recombine all three with photomatix...then I have some other tricks after that but I'm a pirate and if I told you I would probably have to take your picture...lol :)

That's intriguing. I love experimenting. I won't ask about your other secrets because I understand your threat of exposure ;). I will run the gamut of underdoing and overdoing it before I find a happy medium. Thanks for the tip.
 

JulianK

Senior Member
For speed I'd go for Photomatix. I keep the "drama" very low however and finish off with Topaz Adjust in PS, aligning and merging with the original RAW shot. I shoot agency models and really enjoy adding a bit of hdr detail but it's a matter of cautious measures when it comes to HDR with people.
 

JulianK

Senior Member
For sure. Red saturates heavily in hdr, we have to compensate for that. And people - I use several layers, with an "un-hdr" version of the person at the bottom of the pile. Gradually erasing through so as to blend the person into the hdr location, simple examples below. It works, takes some practice but I adore the results.



jackie_zejtun.jpg
shaz_beach1_Web_500.jpg
 

JulianK

Senior Member
I have found people and things that are red very difficult to pull off for good effect...

Here's something red that I dug out from the archives of snapshot HDR that I've done. Really was a 10 minute job with Photomatix, I didn't go to any lengths to retouch it, I just like it's heavy duty slightly unrefined look. No tripod, so it could have been sharper but it's not always about that.

toyota_hdr.jpg
 
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