HDR Help please

[Methanol]

Hi,

I’ve been playing around trying to create an HDR image but without much success. I’ve tried many different settings but still no luck.

I've seen some great HDR images on this site and mine don't look anything like them. Can one of you HDR geniuses sort an image out for me please? Nothing fancy, just a vibrant image that looks like it was taken with the correct exposure for both the highlight and shadow areas. . I don't mean to sound pushy but I kind of need it a.s.a.p.

It can be downloaded from: http://idisk.mac.com/edensimon-Public

Thanks in advance,

Simon

[GetCarter]

Simon

Pic doesn't seem to load... but you'll need to provide two identical photos, one exposed for highlights, one for shadow... then it's an easy job for Photomatix to put them together.

[_dobbo_]

Methanol said:

It can be downloaded from: linky

Simon

You had your link the wrong way round but even with the link fixed there is still nothing there...

[Methanol]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your reply.

That's strange, I'm able to open it in Photomatix Pro V. 2.5.4. Anyway, I've took that file down and posted the original RAW files, if you still don't mind helping.

Btw, always admired and enjoyed your work.

Thanks again,

Simon

[Methanol]

Hi dobbo,

I was uploading while you were posting, they are up now.

Thanks,

Simon

[stigmundfreud]

cant see the file. Are you using a single RAW to create your hdr or multiple exposures? You can do it from a single but it isnt really true hdr its just tone mapping or fake exposure stepping.

Or is the file you are trying to link us a .hdr file made in photomatix? When you say you need help what exactly is it you are after?

[Methanol]

Sorry about the confusion earlier and the download link. The images can now be downloaded from the following address: http://web.mac.com/edenpaul/hdr.zip/

stigmundfreud said:

Are you using a single RAW to create your hdr or multiple exposures?

I'm using 4 exposures.

stigmundfreud said:

When you say you need help what exactly is it you are after?

I would like if possible for someone to make an HDR in Photomatix, as I've tried but got less than average results.

Thanks,

Simon

[fluffnik]

I used the snappily named qtpfsgui - also available for OSX - on your .hdr to do this:



Probably easiest for you to grab the prog and make your own - the settings I used are embedded in the filename - but I could put the big version (7.4MB) of what I did online briefly if need be...

[bulb763]

This is done with Photomatix



As you probably know, you can play with all the sliders until you get what you're looking for, so you can go much more extreme than this

[fluffnik]

bulb763 said:

As you probably know, you can play with all the sliders until you get what you're looking for, so you can go much more extreme than this

[stigmundfreud]

that hurt my eyes!

[Methanol]

Thanks a lot guys for all your help. I must say, Photomatix looks the best IMO

bulb763 said:

This is done with Photomatix

Jon,

Do you mind posting all the settings.

Thanks,

Simon

[bulb763]

Got this from the settings XMP file for Photomatix.

<pmtm:Luminosity>10
<pmtm:Strength>80
<pmtm:ColorSaturation>40
<pmtm:WhiteClip>0.223800
<pmtm:BlackClip>0.223800
<pmtm:Smoothing>High
<pmtm:Microcontrast>10
<pmtm:Microsmoothing>5
<pmtm:Gamma>1.00000
<pmtm:HighlightsSmoothing>50
<pmtm:ShadowsSmoothing>30
<pmtm:ShadowsClipping>70
<pmtm:ColorTemperature>0
<pmtm:SaturationHighlights>4
<pmtm:SaturationShadows>4

After doing the HDR thing, I adjusted the levels using CS2 to bring back a bit of contrast. I find this makes it a bit less washed-out and a bit more "real" looking. Then sharpened a touch with USM. HTH

[Methanol]

Jon,

You are the man!

Thank you very much.

Simon