So I was on SF the other day and came across an HDRI(or HDR) picture thread. I've been messing around with it ever since and am still a bit lost. I have taken a few decent shots but haven't really sat down and given it a real go but from what I've done I'm not too impressed with. I'm fairly decent at PS but nothing at the level of some of those I've seen. I did see a few badass shots from our resident admin Kirk that I'd like to know how he did:



I do like to do some true HDR shots that don't produce the CGI type images(as like in Kirks photos) but would also like to know how to some of you do yours. Step by step helps! LOL Let's see some of your HDR's before and after. I'll start...don't laugh!

 

Here are 2 of my poor attempts:
Original (These first 2 didn't come out nearly as well because I got lazy and shot them through 1/2" of glass from my 12th floor office window)

HDR(sorta...)

Original

HDR

 

Are you producing these from 1 picture or are you taking 3 or more pictures with a tripod @ different exposures

 

Exactly, although you can create one from one photo it doesn't turn out as good as it would with multiple exposures. Programs like PhotoImpact and Photomatix will create and HDR from multiple exposures and then you'll just have to tone map alittle.

 

really nice man i like how it turned out

 

I've been taking 3-5 shots. Mainly at f4.5 and going from 1/15 all the way up to 1/400. Generally it's like 1/15, 1/60, 1/250, 1/400

 

use the bracket function on yoru camera. Only use HDR when necessary. Such as taking shot where you want to expose your foreground properly, but in teh process your background blows out or becomes under exposed or vice versa. Thats the nature of HDR, to get more dynamic range... The pictures you have taken did not have a lot of range.

 

or you can use raw format. Theres quite a few write ups online. I never attempted them myself yet though.

 

I always shoot in raw format in order to achieve my results

 

Okay I tried again....these any better?



I can post up originals if you're interested...