HDR technique for Pimientito

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Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

HDR technique for Pimientito

That's right, you use a digital picture exposed to different values (called 'stops' in photography). Most people only use 3 different exposed images, but you can use as many as you want, and I have heard of some using up to 15 images or more. You can use Photoshop to merge the files, but you need a program called Photomatix to actually do the tonemapping. I heard that Photomatix now has a plugin that you can use inside of Photoshop, but I heard it's not quite as good as the stand alone program.

I basically learned the technique the same way I have learned some of the flamenco I know - by reading, and joining a forum. Flickr is going to be the best resource to learn the technique. There are some groups there devoted completely to HDR. There's also a great video by a guy named Ben Willmore called Digital Mastery that does a great job of explaining HDR.

There's actually about 3 different ways you can achieve the look, but to achieve 'true' (according to the purist - which I'm not) HDR, there's only one way.

To get true HDR, you have to have a DSLR that can shoot in RAW format, and that has the ability to change the shutter speed. You leave the aperture the same for each shot so the depth of field doesn't change. There are some higher end cameras that will auto bracket the different shots for you, and you literally just press the shutter button and the camera does the rest.

The second technique calls for a program that can create different exposures from a single image. This creates what's called pseudo-HDR, or iDR (increased dynamic range). I forget the exact issue that makes this technique not quite an HDR, but I tend to agree somewhat with the purist. A caveat to that is the fact that there are so many people that can create some beautiful HDR images from a single exposure. Look at some of Kris Kros' work on flickr. Anyway, you use a program like Adobe Light Room, and there's a selector to manipulate exposure. Using this technique, you can create the three (or however many exposures) you need. The only thing is when you do it this way, and you're working with a Jpeg, you must save your file as a Tif, which is a 16 bit file. The Photomatix program requires 16 bit files.

The final and easiest way is to simply just tonemap a singe image. There is a selection in Photomatix where you can convert a single image to HDR. Again, this is not true HDR, but it can be very effective depending on the shot. A big problem with this technique is the digial 'noise' you introduce with the process. Do a search on flickr for single exposure HDR, and you'll see some pretty impressive work.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2009 12:49:06

michel

Posts: 315
Joined: Apr. 14 2008
From: france

RE: HDR technique for Pimientito (in reply to Francisco)

Francisco,

thank you very much for the explanations, your HDR work is really awesome man! this technique reminds me HR Giger's work (Swiss airbrush artist: Designer of Alien) This is a motivation to concern myself with this technique!
(I got only a nikon D70 miror reflex and photoshop CS3 to start, i hope it works)
You created a fantastic surrealistic mood only with a take of an old truck.
Very creative, bravo!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2009 23:39:50

Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

RE: HDR technique for Pimientito (in reply to michel)

Merci!

Yes, a D70 will work just fine. What makes Nikon a little better than Canon is that you can autobracket up to 5 shots. You can access the function via the menu, and it should be abbreviated AEB. Then you autobracket to +2,+1,0,-1,-2. Select Aperture Priority mode 'Av'. Then shoot away. You want to shoot in bright light, so you can keep the iso to a minimum. That will help keep the noise down. But, if you do get some noise, a plugin like NoiseNinja should help. Also, using a noise reduction plugin like Noise Ninja will help when shooting night shots for HDR. Good luck.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2009 5:03:35

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: HDR technique for Pimientito (in reply to Francisco)

Very nice photos, Francisco

Inspiring. Cool use of multiple exposure.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2009 10:14:47

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: HDR technique for Pimientito (in reply to Francisco)

quote:

To get true HDR, you have to have a DSLR that can shoot in RAW format

Thanks for that explanation. I would kind of like to find out more about this stuff but I'll search another forum. On a side note I'm looking to buy a new DSLR and since the crisis I have seen prices tumbling rapidly. I have seen cameras that were 1500 pounds for about 400 now. I like the canon lenses. Would you recommend the canon over the Nikon?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 1 2009 5:16:49

Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

RE: HDR technique for Pimientito (in reply to Pimientito)

I liked Canon's lens line-up too, so I went with a Canon. I'm shooting with a 5D at the moment, but might be upgrading to the mkII. It can be an expensive hobby. Be careful, and choose your first lens wisely. Otherwise, you'll be stricken with the GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) before you know it.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 1 2009 6:03:21

kozz

Posts: 1766
Joined: Feb. 26 2009
From: Eindhoven NL

RE: HDR technique for Pimientito (in reply to Francisco)

Nice pictures Francesco.
I have a question: Are those HDR images the same as HDRI images? I do a little 3d moddeling and to abtain some realistic reflections there is a possibillity to load HDRI images.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 1 2009 11:01:54