first attempt at hdr

[gary]

trying out beta version of photomatix, an hdr software, the files are huge, the converted jpg before resizing was 57mgb, the resize to fit under 250kb doesn't really do the original hdr justice, but it seemed to work pretty good, has an auto align function, used 5 pics, taken tripod mounted in succession, touching only the exposure comp, went from -2 to +2, using 10-22 on the xti, auto wb, probably should have used daylight, the watermark is only removable by purchasing the license, but there is no time limit on the trial use so it's a good way to get a little experience doing hdr
i kind of like hdr, it's to my eyes a sort of a cross betwee photography and metallic paints, not all images convert well, but some are real cool
gary

 

[Dan]

I've been very interested in methods to create HDR images. Of course Photoshop has a combiner, but.. it's never worked well for me yet. But when done well effects run the gamut from dreamy, surrealistic images to completely realistic scenes that just have the sky and the ground matching brightness.

I really wish cameras (or should I say, Canon cameras, for all I know Nikon or the other manufacturers may have done this already) made it possible to do an auto exposure bracket with more than 3 total shots. I don't know how many shots you absolutely need, but I've heard it said that you need more than three, even if shooting RAW. But it'd be so nice if you could just let the camera take care of the whole process without having to touch it after you begin.

Except for the issue of too many moving objects.. I'm really curious what could be done with a really good HDR rendering of a night scene at WDW. I've yet to master the balance between illuminating the darker areas and not blowing out the brighter ones, that would seem to be a natural subject for HDR.

 

[HW]

I have the D80 Dan and it is only 3 shots bracketing also

 

[Tim]

I really wish cameras (or should I say, Canon cameras, for all I know Nikon or the other manufacturers may have done this already) made it possible to do an auto exposure bracket with more than 3 total shots. I don't know how many shots you absolutely need, but I've heard it said that you need more than three, even if shooting RAW. But it'd be so nice if you could just let the camera take care of the whole process without having to touch it after you begin.

try using manual exposure. works wonders for this type of photography. find a setting that works and stick with it. don't worry about what the in camera meter is telling you and post process each frame EXACTLY the same.