HDR problem.

[Ronald Mcdonald]

Ok, so I am still learning photography, and the HDR thing seems to be the new popular style. I figured I would give it a try, so I checked out Daredevils write up, and did it exactly how he said. I took pictures going all the way from -4 to 4 ( I could have gone -5/5 but didn't think it would be necessary ) and I uploaded it to my computer. Opened PS:CS2 and went through the whole "merge to HDR" process. Everytime I do that, it always comes up saying "not enough Dynamic range to create a useful HDR image."

I tried this with 3-4 different picture sets.

I am using a Nikon D40 if that helps. Someone tell me what I'm doing wrong!

[EroticA]

try using more pictures. i tried that my first time using only 3 pics and i got the same thing. what i did with mine, was

i used a tripod, and set the camera how i wanted it to shoot the car,

then, i took 8 pictures from, -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

and that worked for me, so try using more pics next time.

[EconoBox]

It means there isn't enough difference in shadow and highlight colors between the pictures. The different exposures need to capture the darkest shadows and use each exposure to focus on a different shading aspect of the picture. PM me if you need any more help figuring it out.

[Ronald Mcdonald]

try using more pictures. i tried that my first time using only 3 pics and i got the same thing. what i did with mine, was

i used a tripod, and set the camera how i wanted it to shoot the car,

then, i took 8 pictures from, -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

and that worked for me, so try using more pics next time.

I took 8 pictures. That's what going from -4 to 4 meant. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough on that.

[Ronald Mcdonald]

It means there isn't enough difference in shadow and highlight colors between the pictures. The different exposures need to capture the darkest shadows and use each exposure to focus on a different shading aspect of the picture. PM me if you need any more help figuring it out.

So it has to be taken during the day, when it's fairly bright out to really bring out the light/shadows?

[EroticA]

So it has to be taken during the day, when it's fairly bright out to really bring out the light/shadows?

yes during the day would help, and setting it from -4 to 4, doesnt classify it becaise you could have just did -4 0 4 so i wasnt sure sorry lol

[Mars_302]

it probably be better to shoot in raw since the program has more data to work with

[Ronald Mcdonald]

it probably be better to shoot in raw since the program has more data to work with

I always shoot in RAW.

[budakinns]

try using photomatix you can get a free version just to merge then save and open it in cs2. during the day times it is easier the night ive had to set my shutter speeds from 1/200 or 1/400 - 5 seconds that always worked for me at night. only problem i am having now is all the photos ive done so far have been with a 3mp digi. now that i have a new 7mp cam finding the right tone is hard for me. if anyone has any tips on tone mapping for cs2 post em up.