Ducati Monster Forum

Just thought I'd share my latest little tests, have been interested in learning more about this HDR photography.
It wasn't a great day for it but the results for each of my tests are not too bad.
Can't wait to get a bike in front of the camera to see what comes out of it.

Hope you enjoy them.

cheers
Matty...

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3581291954_7381547f96.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3581294586_922560df9d.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3580487903_4a852eb644.jpg?v=0)

Very nice Matty. [thumbsup]

Please tell me what is this HDR?

It's High Dynamic Range = HDR, I thought I'd bore people to tears banging up my best explanation.
If you click on my MattyVas Flickr link you'll find the images in a set with my best description.
But basically it is combining 3 to 4 images of different exposures covering shadow detail to high light detail.
Using PS CS3 to merge them and a plug-in to help enhance the image further you can make some pretty cool images.

Will do some bike ones once the rain leaves our sky's.

I'm a bit of a HDR fan as well Matty.....

I tend to shoot 5 bracketed shots for mine...

A few HDRs I have taken and processed with Photomatix Pro....

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2907337760_0e8c8b181e_b.jpg)

A beach down Adelaide way....

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/3112386349_6d18d3d860_b.jpg)

Is it layering a number of shots on top of each other?
or is it the camera that does all the work?

A number of shots are taken with the camera (I take 5 at different f stops (light to dark))...

Then you import them into the likes of Photomatix (Software program)...

It blends them and then enables you to play round with the settings of the merged pic to produce some "interesting" results...

It is layering but not just you putting one on top of the other.
There is a HDR merge tool in PS that does the job for you, but you still have to have the images in the first place.
 
It was a pretty flat day for light today Trev so using more than 3 or 4 images was not required.
But I am sure when the sun pokes it's nose out again and the bike is back on the road I'll try some with that too.
Like the beach scene very saturated and luscious looking.

Wow pretty cool! [popcorn]

So in lamens terms you take the same shot with differing exposure rates?

Where do you get these merging programs from?

Rob armed with his DSLR ready to go! ;D

In a nut shell yeah that's it. The images must be all the same as far as framing etc otherwise they won't line up.
If you have PS CS3 the merge HDR image action is part of program.
I'm not sure if you can buy the photomatix plug-in (US$99) and have it work on it's own.

Cheers
Matty...

I don't have PS and run Photomatix (a legal version) as a stand alone program on my iMac....

You can download a trial version here for Windows & Mac....

http://www.hdrsoft.com/ (http://www.hdrsoft.com/)

I'm on to it! ;D

Hey Rob you can try all sorts of things with HDR. Break the rules and do stuff you not supposed to..... All good clean fun..  [thumbsup]

Here are 3 pics taken out the window of a 600 year old fort in northern Pakistan.
First 2 bracketed and the 3rd one at a different focal length (Zoned in).
Then merged in Photomatix and this is the result.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3584503617_3731669caa_b.jpg)

This one was taken in the Garigal NP in this little backwater on a very sunny day. 5 bracketed pics merged in Photomatix.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3584507133_cf36423642_b.jpg)

Trev that looks fantastic.

I uploaded a copy of Photomatix so I will give it a go.

I have a few pics I have taken where it was too dark and adjusted the f. adjustment a couple of times.

It's a wait and see what I can Come up with!

I tell you what these DSLR cams with the preview screen do take the hard work out of making a picture work well! [thumbsup]

Picture hungry Rob!

OK here we go. I had a play tonight and this is the results. Please note that these pictures were taken from the Stanton Is ferry at dusk so the transformation is incredible.

I started with

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3588217001_e0aec4d535_m.jpg)
and

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3589016750_0d07c59c3a_m.jpg)
After a little bit of a tinker I came up with

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3588164095_0e0839d567_m.jpg)

Then I tried this group

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3588193395_4357cc280b_m.jpg)
and

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/3588201255_62a7b4a763_m.jpg)
The end result not too bad due to the shift.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3588931048_27a546d97c_m.jpg)


It's alot easier than you think!

Thanks for the info guys! [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Well done Rob. Especially like the last one....  [thumbsup]

Now go play and break the rules and see what comes forth....  :o  ;D

Nice shots! I much prefer Photomati_ (the 'ecks' letter is busted on my keyboard!) over doing HDR in Photoshop. I've also tried a couple of other programs but Photomati_ is the best.

One from the other night from the Vivid Festival in Sydney....
(https://lh5.ggpht.com/_5TgttnJGP7c/SiNCv-12UyI/AAAAAAAAUxo/ImvvHU4MnKQ/s720/DSC_0677_6_5_tonemapped.jpg)

more non-hdr shots   http://picasaweb.google.com/mostro900/SydneyVividFestivalJune2009 (http://picasaweb.google.com/mostro900/SydneyVividFestivalJune2009)

Heh, cool, HDR -it's kinda fun, but I find it's best if you go easy on the effect.

Having said that, here is my first attempt at HDR form about a year and  ahalf ago...

(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n1/EtherealZee/PIfebo8/oldchurchhdrsm-1.jpg)

(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n1/EtherealZee/PIfebo8/trikesm.jpg)


(Using Photomatix)
Z...

what size files can you do in hdr cheers bazz

It depends on the file size that you put in Bazz.
I still use PS to merge the images then put it through photomatix.
But then I have only just started playing with it.

hmn I've always been of the opinion that I should use my camera to create a good shot not computer manipulation but the photos you people are posting are changing my mind.  HDR makes the pics look much more dimensional .  So may just have to give this a try.  (seem to remember saying I'd never bling/mod my monster either - I'm just so fickle  [roll])

your  aloud to be your a woman   [cheeky] im was the same heather dont youse p s cause i think its cheating but HDR  photos have got my attention can you youse photomatix on its own ,cause i hate p s i dont know how to use it i know im dumb  [thumbsup]

Bazz, yes you can just use photomatix on its own. All I did was add the pics then completed the merg and a little adjustment of the settings then presto!

Rob

thanks rob, is it a big file to download cheers bazz

it's a zipped file of 5.7mb

I just downloaded the Pro trial version 2.94MB. Took 3.5 minutes on broadband.  Bazz I'm assuming you don't have broadband? 

Now just have to get out and play with the camera.

A friend of mine has been playing round with HDR for a little while now , he is taking some cool pics I reckon.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/leighn/art (http://www.redbubble.com/people/leighn/art)

For those interested.



I have been meaning to get him to take a few HDR pics of the monster.

I just picked a copy of PS CS4 last week.... 

I better learn how to do more than just adjust image size and quality!!!   Great work guys.. [thumbsup]

Ita

pretty cool Andy.
I'm going to have a HDR bike photo day soon.
Will let you know.

I am of a similar opinion, but sometimes some cool editing is what is really needed to make a photo jump out at you.   Getting it right in cam will lead to better HDR style pics - obviosly where Matty hasan advantage :)
Z...

Very true Zee.
Even though I have used DSLR camera's for 6-7 yrs, I am still old school.
Started my career using B&W and dipping my hands in Dev and Fixer.......
If you don't have it right to begin you can do a fix up job to it but it's never quite the same.

Some awesome photos there peoples.

Lucky I hadn't seen this earlier or I would have been the worst travelling companion ... trying to do things that are way beyond me. I am sure there would have been plenty of opportunities for this sort of thing on our recent adventure for somebody with an 'eye' for it.

one of my old jobs. Nice work Matty.

You know you can also 'type' x by pressing ALT and then typing 120, right?

ahh, not on the Mac you can't - but me got a new keyboard, so all xxxxx good!

Ah finally found something the PC is better at  :)

Better or just one thing a PC can do as opposed to the many many things a Mac does!  ;)

For those that are interested, here is a site with a HDR Beta, I'm going to give it a try...

http://www.hdrdarkroom.com/forum/index.php?topic=6.0 (http://www.hdrdarkroom.com/forum/index.php?topic=6.0)

Z...

Zee,
Have to wait till Augst 30th for the beta - need to wait for the Mac version.

had a day of shooting today with Manny Librodo(Philippino portrait photographer) - have to pass on his details to you!

Hey, nice! Post some shots!

Z...

Big T, does this look familiar?

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3486/4007491645_9e3c438081.jpg)

Didn't have tripod with me so it's a hand held judgment of lining things up.

Looking good Matty.....  [thumbsup]

Might have to ride to work one day myself with the cam.......  [moto]  8)

FYI take a tripod or something to rest on.