[Guyzer]

Buck threatened to start a thread but it's like waiting form paint to dry so I figured I'll help him out.

For those of you that don't know what HDR is here's a short blurb and link if you are interested.

" High dynamic range (HDR) images enable photographers to record a greater range of tonal detail than a given camera could capture in a single photo. "

Link: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...amic-range.htm

There are two programs I know of that you can try for FREE. Both programs will add their watermark while using the " Try Before You Buy " versions and neither has an expiry date.

#1 - Dynamic Photo HDR. This one will allow you to do a pseudo HDR with one exposure. Just open the pic up three times and change the exposures to what you want.
http://www.mediachance.com/hdri/index.html

#2 - Photomatix ( 3 exposures required in this program )
http://www.hdrsoft.com

If you decide to post here it would be appreciated if you would post both the before and after shot along with the exposure settings you used. It will help those that want to learn more about the process.

Trial by error is what it's all about.

Much of the same effect could be achieved by regular pp manipulation but it's a new toy so what the heck better to do when the weather is crappy....

All shots done -1 , 0 , +1

Cheam Wetlands original



Cheam Wetlands pseudo HDR



Pretty Lady original



Pretty Lady pseudo HDR

[vreyens]

Hi Guy,
Like your HDR shots.
Here is one that I took sometime ago.
I will look at my back photos to see if
I have any more the I have take at different
exposure levels.

Barry

[Guyzer]

Hi Barry...
I like that shot.

I edited my original post by adding a couple of links and a short note. You might consider downloading Dynamic HDR and give it a whirl with one shot. Have fun.

[buck52]

Hi Barry and Guy

Guy... is the paint dry yet...

Barry I like your original much better... HDR is an interesting technique but can be very easily overdone...which I don't like...just my taste/opinion

before and after... Psssssss... no hdr... just shadow and highlite tool in Photoshop

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by buck52

Hi Barry and Guy

Howdie Buck..
Did you get hammered by that ice storm? I hope not. They are not a lot of fun.

Originally Posted by buck52

before and after... Psssssss... no hdr... just shadow and highlite tool in Photoshop

I agree buck. That's what I said in my initial post.

Originally Posted by Guyzer

Much of the same effect could be achieved by regular pp manipulation but it's a new toy so what the heck better to do when the weather is crappy....

My personal opinion is that HDR can really shine if used on the right picture which in my opinion would include lots of blue sky with puffy white clouds, a mountain reflecting off a lake and all in the same shot. Failing that, almost anything with a Montana ( big sky country ) type sky.

Here's a link that has a couple of real beauties which unless one was a pro would be hard if not impossible to duplicate with any amount of pp. Just my 2 cents.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008...-hdr-pictures/

[buck52]

Hi Guy

Just far enough east to have missed the ice fortunately... thanks for asking...

As I said ...I like Barry's original better because the sky and clouds are way over done in the HDR version for my taste..the same goes for your sky and clouds shot...the originals are much more pleasing to my eye...

I agree it is fun to play with...

[Guyzer]

Point taken.

Did you look at some of the shots in the link I posted? I absolutely love the second one and the hawk shot. The best of the bunch is the military ship # 871. If I could grab a shot like that it would be blown up poster size.