WARPShop HDR Presentation

8/14/2019 WARPShop HDR Presentation

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Understanding and Capturing HDR ImagesUnderstanding and Capturing HDR Images

Andrew & Mary AnneAndrew & Mary Anne

55thth February 2010February 2010





11

Observations & Common Mistakes?Observations & Common Mistakes?

2233



Dynamic RangeDynamic Range

The term ‘Dynamic Range’ refers to the range of tones inThe term ‘Dynamic Range’ refers to the range of tones in

a shot from the darkest to the lightest.a shot from the darkest to the lightest.

HDR is short for High Dynamic Range. It is a post-processing of taking either one image or a series of

images, combining them, and adjusting the contrast

ratios to do things that are virtually impossible with a

single aperture and shutter speed.



Dynamic RangeDynamic Range

High Dynamic Range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a setHigh Dynamic Range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set

of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of

luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of anluminance between the lightest and darkest areas of an

image than standard digital imaging techniques orimage than standard digital imaging techniques orphotographic methods. This wider dynamic range allowsphotographic methods. This wider dynamic range allows

HDR images to more accurately represent the wideHDR images to more accurately represent the wide

range of intensity levels found in real scenes, rangingrange of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging

from direct sunlight to faint starlight.from direct sunlight to faint starlight.





• RAW files cannot be open directly in

Photoshop/Elements

• RAW files are like digital negatives and need to be

processed before you can view them (Camera RAW plug-

in)

• Importance/advantages:

• Like negatives, Raw files are never actually altered

by any processing software.

• For HDR you may save as 16-bit and with capability

until 32-bit but for JPEG file format its only 8-bit



Tone MappingTone Mapping

Tone mapping is the process which turns an HDR file

into a viewable and printable image. Thus, enhancing

the color saturation to a more vivid look.

When you tone-map an HDR image, you not only

have to reduce or compress the brightness range but

also discard large numbers of the brightness stops to

go from 32 bit to 16 or 8 bit. However, we keepenough to show detail that couldn’t otherwise be

captured.



Tone MappingTone Mapping

Photomatix creates a more hyper-real,

“painterly” effect or impressionistic effects with

maximum detail and texture shown both insideand out.



Exposure Bracketing for HDRExposure Bracketing for HDR

To create true HDR images, you’ll generally need one

shot taken with a ‘normal’ exposure, one underexposedshot to capture highlight information, and one

overexposed shot to capture the shadow information.

Autobracketing is the ability for your camera to take at

least 3 pictures right after one another, each at different

shutter speeds. Example -2, 0, +2

Try to make sure that your component shots match in all

but exposure. For best results, it’s important that only

exposure changes from shot to shot, so use Aperture

priority.



Tips on Shooting HDR

1. Set to RAW + JPEG.

2. Check the camera histogram to capture as much brightness range

3. Bright skies are tricky to expose for that is why we do HDR. Solution – attach

graduated filter to reduce brightness of the sky which will reduce thenumber of exposures you need

4. For best results – use tripod

5. If no tripod instead find a fixed position to shoot from (fence, car, wall post

or solid object)6. Invest in a inexpensive shutter release cable or use camera self-timer

7. Some cameras have special HDR-type functions built-in, where camera

makes adjustments to capture wider brightness range. Effects as often

subtle but they can offer a better starting point for HDR adjustments.

Canon compacts have ‘iContrast’ function

Panasonic has ‘Intelligent Exposures’

Nikon has ‘D-Lighting’

8. Set autobracketing into multiple exposure or single RAW file



Post-Processing Tips1. Keep realism. Get rid of halo/radiance as much as possible.

2. For landscape with high sun contrast- strong tone map strength but for

people shot or night shot low/mid strength only

3. Above average saturation

4. High luminosity and high microcontrast

5. High smoothing

6. Low gamma and black point7. Play with temperature Kelvin – it depends on what mood you wanted

(bluish or yellowish)

8. Low micro-smoothing, shadow smoothness and shadow clipping

9. Very low highlight smoothness

10.Save your file and if you like the result save the tone mapping settings

for future guidance

11.If not yet satisfied with your PP continue enhancements in other photo-

editor softwares



Options for HDR EffectsOptions for HDR Effects

• Photoshop’s Merge to HDR option

• Elements

• HDR Style effects with Layers & Masks

•

Photomatix Pro



SamplesSamples





The "Before" Shot of New York's Times Square



The "After Shot", once we have beenthrough the whole process























The "After Shot", once we have been through the whole process























Automated HDRAutomated HDR--Creation CommandsCreation Commands







PhotomatixPhotomatix ProcessProcess



That is an hour of your life you will never get back, but let’s

hope you formed some good memories and skills to createmore. Best of luck and I thank you for your time and hope

you learned something from us.

T H A N K Y O U

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WARPShop HDR Presentation