PS CS2 HDR question

[Jack Flesher]

I'm interested as well...

You have mail too...

[jani]

BTW, here's my pet peeve in "Merge to HDR":

That I can't select just _one_ of the source images to see it in anything but thumbnail size.

I'd really like to toggle between one image and two images merged, and so on. It has to do with attempting to see why some images appear to be out of register or not.

Oh, well.

[BobMcCarthy]

I did a comparison of Photmatix and CS2 HDR comand in the following thread (scroll down a bit). I notice they have brought out an update - though how much is fixed compared with last time I can't say.

Thanks, Interesting read. My own methodology is to use the auto bracket mode in the D2x. Full stop bracket. First run is at 0, +1, +2, to be combined with 0, -1, -2. I throw out one of the zero's. The shots are done in raw with (usually) auto conversion. I then combine the 5 psd shots.

So far I like the results. A little hit and miss sometimes as I'm letting CR set the basic (auto) settings. I don't agree with the auto setting in many circumstances, but it sure is convenient.

Very interesting technology.

Thanks for the thread.

bob

[Lisa Nikodym]

I've been trying out the HDR feature in CS2, and have figured out how to get a decent-looking final 8-bit or 16-bit image out of the conversion from 32-bit (Local Adaptation with tone curve, with the tone curve black point and white point set at the ends of the interesting part of the histogram, with a few points in between behaving more or less like a normal Curves command), but am still unclear on exactly what the Radius and Threshold sliders do under Local Adaptation. They certainly change things (especially the Radius slider), but has anyone figured out exactly what they're doing and what general settings work best for most high-dynamic-range landscapes?  I understand from the manual that it has something to do with "local brightness regions", but can anyone explain it in more detail?

Lisa

[boku]

I've been trying out the HDR feature in CS2, and have figured out how to get a decent-looking final 8-bit or 16-bit image out of the conversion from 32-bit (Local Adaptation with tone curve, with the tone curve black point and white point set at the ends of the interesting part of the histogram, with a few points in between behaving more or less like a normal Curves command), but am still unclear on exactly what the Radius and Threshold sliders do under Local Adaptation. They certainly change things (especially the Radius slider), but has anyone figured out exactly what they're doing and what general settings work best for most high-dynamic-range landscapes?  I understand from the manual that it has something to do with "local brightness regions", but can anyone explain it in more detail?

Lisa

Lisa,

I would also like to understand this. I just wiggle the sliders and have no idea what I am doing.

Also, can anyone explain what might be causing color balance shifts in the highlight areas? When I prepare the source files from ACR, I use the same conversion settings for all of the exposures. It seems like some of the light sky areas are picking up a magenta tinge that is not in the midtones or the shadows.

[Ben Rubinstein]

Jack, please share......

[Jonathan Wienke]

I'm interested as well...

[boku]

Lisa:

Just sent you an email with an attachement you may find more convenient to use than HDR  

Jack

Jack,

Me too, please!

Thanks,
Bob

[Ben Rubinstein]

Three cheers for Jack? I haven't got the action yet but we should applaud the community spirit, especially as I'm assuming that if successful this action will soon be for sale on Digital Outback..   :laugh:

[mcanyes]

I am interested also. I went back to using Fred's DRI Pro after I couldn't do better with HDR. There has to be a use for it somewhere.
Michael

[thierrylegros396]

Me, too !

Have a Nice Day !

Thierry

[DiaAzul]

I've too been testing HDR and have gotten OK results. I came across this site

http://www.hdrsoft.com/

and wondered how it compared to CS2.

I did a comparison of Photmatix and CS2 HDR comand in the following thread (scroll down a bit). I notice they have brought out an update - though how much is fixed compared with last time I can't say.

Thread on Merge HDR

[Tim Gray]

Any thoughts as to whether .5 stop increments are better/not worth it versus full stop increments?

[jani]

My main beef with both HDR and photomatix as compared to Michael's blending technique is that making a global curves/levels adjustment to the 'mixed' image does not really give you the control you need.
With Michael's method you can apply adjustment layers to both layers, plus paint in/adjust the mask to your hearts content while adjusting opacity. Once the mask is there you can even reprocess the RAW file and use them to replace  unsatisfactory layers. I personally feel that it gives a lot more control over the final image.

Maybe this is something that Jack's action does better than HDR.

I'm looking forward to user reports from those who have tried it!

So far, my HDR merges have been done by joining the standard three auto-bracketed shots, but given David's experiences on merging many more shots, I'm tempted to expand to 6 or 9.

[Jack Flesher]

Lisa:

Just sent you an email with an attachement you may find more convenient to use than HDR  

Jack

[Jack Flesher]

Jack, please share......

Pom:

You have mail.

A little CS2 trick I figured out and am in the process of fine-tuning in an easy-to-use DR-blend action... Details to follow

Jack

[jani]

You can color me as interested, too.

(I figure public displays of interest is good, it might inspire others to do something, too!)

[BobMcCarthy]

I've too been testing HDR and have gotten OK results. I came across this site

http://www.hdrsoft.com/

and wondered how it compared to CS2. Jack, any chance I can look at your action?

Bob

[BobMcCarthy]

I have to admit I haven't tried 1/2 stops but my reasoning was to gather a 4 stop range and minimize the amount of manipulation of the combined file.

I found a lessor level of blending i.e. 0,+1,-1 was working pretty well also. It took more care to hit the exposure just right where the broader range appeared to be easier to work with.

From what I surmise, the highlights and deep shadows are averaged with the clip at 0 and 255 being averaged with the over/underexposed end frames to get movement to center. Its not really masking or layering as I experience it.

I may have my head up my butt but I have been able to get some shots not doable with a straight shot that don't look artificial.

I wish I understood whats going on better.

Bob

[Ben Rubinstein]

My main beef with both HDR and photomatix as compared to Michael's blending technique is that making a global curves/levels adjustment to the 'mixed' image does not really give you the control you need.
With Michael's method you can apply adjustment layers to both layers, plus paint in/adjust the mask to your hearts content while adjusting opacity. Once the mask is there you can even reprocess the RAW file and use them to replace  unsatisfactory layers. I personally feel that it gives a lot more control over the final image.