Merging dynamic range in CS2

jeff lapoint

Hello All!

Quick CS2 question:

anybody have any experience with the HDR automation? Everytime I attempt to merge some pics I get a message saying there is "not enough dynamic range to make a useful merge." I used 6 photos from -1.5ev to +2ev. Seems pretty dynamic to me...Any thoughts/suggestions higly appreciated.

-j

jeff lapoint

jeff lapoint wrote:

Hello All!

Quick CS2 question:

anybody have any experience with the HDR automation? Everytime I attempt to merge some pics I get a message saying there is "not enough dynamic range to make a useful merge." I used 6 photos from -1.5ev to +2ev. Seems pretty dynamic to me...Any thoughts/suggestions higly appreciated.

-j

NM, problem solved. You have to actually take several different pictures...you can't process the same RAW files several times and plug it in.

colourbox

In case you aren't already aware...there is at least a way to place one single RAW file as multiple smart objects at different settings; from there you can merge them manually.
Click for article
Note that the procedure can be automated by the script listed in the article.

rutt

I have my own technique for this. See: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=9805

jeff lapoint

Thanks for the reply fellas. Very nice technique Rutt and I found the article you linked quite helpful colourbox!

I know there are many blending methods out there and I am familiar with some of them, but the HDR merge automation in CS2 sounded a bit like the blending holy grail when i read about it as you could display a 10 stop dynamic range with it (not that I would want 10 full stops...might look a bit excessive). It is supposed to do this all automatically and select for the best highlight/midtone/lowlight, out of several pics, with a few simple clicks.


For a moment, it sounded like the end of needing to buy filters...especially for someone like myself who only shoots landscapes occasionally...

-j