Advice appreciated on PS & Photomatix HDR image creation

[oobster]

Folks,

I would appreciate any assistance on what i'm doing wrong here. The Mrs is watching X factor and i'm bored so I decided to muck around with some images.

I decided to download the free basic version of Photomatix - 1.21. Once i've had a play around with it etc I will probably purchase the full version.

I opened up PS Elements 7 and opened up a RAW (CR2) file.

In the RAW window I adjusted the slider for +2 exposure, I then have 3 options - Save Image, Done or Open Image. If I select Save Image then I get a new window and the only option in the save as type drop-down box is .dng

If I choose Done then the RAW window closes and the image is adjusted on my hard drive, and stays as a CR2 file. If I choose Open Image then the image is displayed in the PS Editor window. I can then save the image as a .jpg. Once i've saved 3 images -2, 0 and +2 (by opening up the raw file every time - is there no easier way?) I then fire up the basic version of Photomatix.

Once i've generated the HDR and mucked around with the Tone Mapping I go to save the file and I get three options: .hdr, .exr and .tiff. Having experimented with all 3 I am now struggling - PS Elements 7 won't open any. It doesn't recognise the .hdr file and when I try to open the massive .tiff file PS tells me that Elements 7 doesn't open High Dynamic Range files.

Help!

[andy-xr]

You can just save it as a tone mapped jpeg. I dont know what raw files your camera is spitting out, but on my old D80 Photomatix would open the NEF as a pseudo HDR

[RobDickinson]

Photomatix should open raws.

Though you soud like you want to process it in PS elements 7 to -2,0,+2 jpg then load these into photomatix?


tiff is 16bit lossless, not sure why elements 7 doesnt like it , sorry never used it.

[plg101]

oobster said:

Folks,

I would appreciate any assistance on what i'm doing wrong here. The Mrs is watching X factor and i'm bored so I decided to muck around with some images.

I decided to download the free basic version of Photomatix - 1.21. Once i've had a play around with it etc I will probably purchase the full version.

I opened up PS Elements 7 and opened up a RAW (CR2) file.

In the RAW window I adjusted the slider for +2 exposure, I then have 3 options - Save Image, Done or Open Image. If I select Save Image then I get a new window and the only option in the save as type drop-down box is .dng

If I choose Done then the RAW window closes and the image is adjusted on my hard drive, and stays as a CR2 file. If I choose Open Image then the image is displayed in the PS Editor window. I can then save the image as a .jpg. Once i've saved 3 images -2, 0 and +2 (by opening up the raw file every time - is there no easier way?) I then fire up the basic version of Photomatix.

Once i've generated the HDR and mucked around with the Tone Mapping I go to save the file and I get three options: .hdr, .exr and .tiff. Having experimented with all 3 I am now struggling - PS Elements 7 won't open any. It doesn't recognise the .hdr file and when I try to open the massive .tiff file PS tells me that Elements 7 doesn't open High Dynamic Range files.

Help!

First - you need to be shooting the original shot with 3 shots, bracketed. Ideally in raw. This will give you a shot that is -2, 0 and + 2. You cant recreate that after you have take the shot - essentially your method is trying to create detailed information for Photomatix that isn't there. (you might get a limited effect from your method but unlikely). Look up bracketing in your user manual. Take a test shot of anything - garden, inside of shed, anything...

There is a good tutorial at:

http://www.naturescapes.net/072006/rh0706_1.htm

[oobster]

Thanks for that link Paul, i'll have a good read through it later.

I know how to take bracketed shots, I was vaguely aware though that you could use one RAW shot and adjust the exposure on it and still get the same effect. As I said, it was just a muck around on a Saturday night while the wife watched X Factor!

I just feel as if I am missing something from the drop-down "Save-as" boxes in either PSE7 or Photomatix.

[plg101]

When experimenting, once you have the bracketed image - I'd save out in TIFF or high quality JPG - maybe to a lowish resolution file (for sake of speed). Once you have teh 3 bracketed JPGs, just import into Photomatix and pick up from there.

[horacethefrog]

oobster said:

I know how to take bracketed shots, I was vaguely aware though that you could use one RAW shot and adjust the exposure on it and still get the same effect.

Correct, you can. In fact that, and white balance, are the principal benefits of shooting RAW. It depends on the image how much adjustment you can make before there's degredation but most will handle at least one stop.
To illustrate my point, first image is the original, second is generated from exposure adjustments to the original (RAW file) in Lightroom. Discovered that Lightroom integrates directly with Photomatix which is handy.

Edited by horacethefrog on Sunday 11th October 14:50

[kybo]

oobster said:

Folks,

I opened up PS Elements 7 and opened up a RAW (CR2) file.

In the RAW window I adjusted the slider for +2 exposure, I then have 3 options - Save Image, Done or Open Image.

Sorry not used PS E7 but in CS/2/3 etc the buttons change when you hold down the alt key. Does this happen in PS E7? Will this give you the option you require?

HTH Scott

[oobster]

I have now purchased the full version, read a few internet guides and had more of play around with the software and I am now 'up to speed'.

Only thing is to go out and take some photographs now!

Thanks for all the advice chaps.

[stigmundfreud]

horacethefrog said:

oobster said:

I know how to take bracketed shots, I was vaguely aware though that you could use one RAW shot and adjust the exposure on it and still get the same effect.

Correct, you can. In fact that, and white balance, are the principal benefits of shooting RAW. It depends on the image how much adjustment you can make before there's degredation but most will handle at least one stop.
To illustrate my point, first image is the original, second is generated from exposure adjustments to the original (RAW file) in Lightroom. Discovered that Lightroom integrates directly with Photomatix which is handy.

Edited by horacethefrog on Sunday 11th October 14:50

of those two,the original looks better

[horacethefrog]

stigmundfreud said:

of those two,the original looks better

Thanks for the feedback (genuinely ). Can I ask why? Is it:

• because it's badly processed (it's only the second image I've ever subjected to HDR and I guess I should read the manual )
• because you don't like HDR anyway
• some other reason I haven't thought of

[stigmundfreud]

well the first isnt badly exposed, in the second it looks nothing like the scene would, the sky looks cartoon etc. Not a great fan of hdr in general but it does have its place, its knowing when that place is and on a nicely exposed shot, it isn't it

[horacethefrog]

OK, thanks Stigmund, sounds like a bit of both option one and option two then. At least I'm getting the in-camera bit right

[dibbly_dobbler]

Hi Horace.

If I might be so bold as to thrown in my tuppence worth, it seems as though photography experts such at Stigmund are in general not too keen on HDR, but non-photography punters (ie me) like it.

For instance - I prefer the sky in the second one (although I totally agree that the overall effect is somewhat 'cartoonish' as Stiggy says).

So maybe it depends who your audience/market is ? I reckon you would sell more of the second one (which may or may not be relevant to you of course !).

Cheers, DD.

[horacethefrog]

Thanks Mike, I think you have a point. My wife much prefers the HDR version and she's not a photographer. I suspect more skillful use of the software than I am presently capable of would result in a more subtle effect. Some of GetCarter's on here use it but much less obviously.

[nick_bbb]

horacethefrog said:

OK, thanks Stigmund, sounds like a bit of both option one and option two then. At least I'm getting the in-camera bit right

Exactly this for me. I've taken the original layered over the tone mapped version and set the opacity to 50%

[horacethefrog]

Yup, that's better, thanks Nick. All things in moderation I guess (except horsepower, of course )