HDR photography

[Answerprancer]

I'd like to try this, I've seen the results and some are stunning eg:

http://ursispaltenste...s_img/hdr_japan_2.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/...s640/HDR%20images.jpg

I have Corel Draw 12 (incl. Corel Photo Paint 12) as a platform, the question is do I need to download an extra plug-in, or is it just a case of overlaying and messing about with transparency?

Cheers.

[Buenchico]

To the best of my knowledge (backed up by a bit of web searching) Corel PhotoPaint doesn't support HDR. You either need the wonderful (but expensive) Photoshop or its free, open source equivalent, GIMP:
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html

You can learn how to achieve HDR results with GIMP here:
http://www.instructab...photos-with-the-GIMP/
(Keep clicking 'Next step' and ignore the prompts to take up Pro Membership).

Chris

[Answerprancer]

Brill..thanks, I already have Gimp somewhere, I just went on YT and watched a couple of "tootorials" - one of which also recommended Photomatrix, but if Gimp'll do it that'll do me!

[Answerprancer]

..scuse me, Photomatix

[ABerrant]

You may be interested to see this foray into HDR video.

http://sovietmontage.com/

[Answerprancer]

Nice ! Thanks for that. I've just made my first HDR pic (of my messy room).
Ooh wot fun ! - just about to go outside and do one of my car !

[Answerprancer]

My first HDR piccy !
http://i1028.photobuc...53_4_5_tonemapped.jpg

[ChuckFickens]

Looks nice AP.

[Answerprancer]

(thanks CF)
I'm really getting into this!
For anyone reading this who doesn't know what HDR imaging is, it stands for High Dynamic Range.
The idea is this: you take three photos with your digital camera; one normal, one over-exposed and one under-exposed, plop your piccies into a little bit of software
the images are superimposed on top of each other using something called 'tone mapping'. This can be done with very little expertise and even using a cheapie
digital camera.
Here's one I made earlier today:
http://i1028.photobuc...8/Photator/vista3.jpg

[Buenchico]

Great pics, AP.

Which program did you decide to use; was it GIMP? (I've got a full version of Photoshop on my computer, so I should be able to use that, but GIMP is a possible alternative).

I've seen articles about HDR (and I really did read the link I posted above!) but I've not actually tried it myself yet. I fancy a go at it (possibly with a long exposure night shot) but I'm still seeking to learn more.

Chris

[Answerprancer]

I used Photomatix (as most of the YT tutorials advised it) - it's dead easy to use and quite fun to mess about with once you have the three exposures uploaded.
I used my Panasonic Lumix F27 set to max resolution, solidly mounted on a tri-pod, take the exposure down two stops, set self-timer to 2 sec (so I don't wobble everything) take the 1st pic, then repeat this process on normal exposure then up two stops.
Photomatix pretty much does all I want for the desired effect but if I want to tweak anything I use my trusty old Corel Photopaint.
There's not a lot to it really.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for that , AP.

I assume that you've taken your images in jpeg format, since (according to what I've read) that requires several exposures. However, as I read it, taking a single photograph using the RAW format allows you to extract the different images from the one file with apparently different exposures, which can then be used to produce HDR photos. I like that idea because, for example, you could produce an HDR picture from an 'action' shot (such as a high jumper leaping over the bar).

Annoyingly, while I know that I've read a (print) article on the subject, I can't remember where it was. It must have been in one of the many magazines which are cluttering up my living room, so I'll have to delve deep into the piles of rubbish which currently surround me in order to find it ;-)

Chris

[Answerprancer]

Yes jpeg on maximum resolution (6mp).
I have no experience of working with RAW.
I did try using my camera's TIFF setting (is that the same thing?) but I don't know if it can do what you described, It would be great if it could.
I am a massive nature lover and to be able to capture birds in flight, or deer or rabbits would be great. This is probably getting into the realms of photography that require a digital SLR. The best I can do when there is movement, is to use my camera's 'auto-bracketing' function, but that only covers 3 stops (-1 normal and +1), Photomatix will compensate for some movement.