My First HDR

Dripfaucet

Just read about HDR and did these test shots. I downloaded the demo of photomatix, seems like a great tool, but I feel the skew cartoony with the tone mapping. From what I read, it's the program to use though.
These shots aren't great stand alone shots, but i'd appreciate any advice for producing better HDRs. Oh, and tripod. I need one. I used rocks here.

Ridgetop

Tripods and remote release make all the difference
I really enjoy HDR and what's fun is you can pretty much chose any artistic route you want to go with it. I normally try to keep mine under control - not too outlandish on saturation, shadows, etc. because I like them to look as natural as possible. Other people like to go to the other extreme. Have fun with and play around a lot.

thapamd

Nicely done! Very natural colors.

UmmmHowsThat

Do you have the originals handy? It looks like the second one really didn't need much, as there aren't many, if any, shadows and such.

The first one is pretty good, too, although is it still a bit dark on the building?

Dripfaucet

UmmmHowsThat wrote:

Do you have the originals handy? It looks like the second one really didn't need much, as there aren't many, if any, shadows and such.

The first one is pretty good, too, although is it still a bit dark on the building?

perhaps you are right on the first one. perhaps the same thing could have been achieved with just the tone mapping. hmm.

here are the barn originals:

UmmmHowsThat

Using HDR the way it was meant

redleash

I agree: based on the originals of the barn, I think HDR was the way to go and you did a nice job with it. The second one shows how it can enhance the colors but I don't think it was needed--but still a good way to learn. I look forward to seeing more of your HDR work.

Lauren

Dripfaucet

redleash wrote:

I agree: based on the originals of the barn, I think HDR was the way to go and you did a nice job with it. The second one shows how it can enhance the colors but I don't think it was needed--but still a good way to learn. I look forward to seeing more of your HDR work.

Lauren

Th

thanks! it was definitely a situation where i was having trouble capturing the light as I saw it. Next step is to purchase the program and do some more. I will keep you posted!

Brad