racer83l

those VW pics are insane... I just picked up my first Leica... trying to figure things out....
I had a D5000, just got into HDR then switched to a German camera.... the lens seems to have a different coating or something the pictures come out awesome, but different then my Nikon D40 and Nikon D5000 days....

mdywglr4x4

The biggest tip? Less is more. The sliders while messing with tone mapping/HDR in Photomatix and CS3/CS4 Merge to HDR are there for tuning. Maxing them out or going crazy with them will create the photos like the ones in this thread. Taking it easy on them and having it looks more natural and not so bright and cartooney will give it a better look.

True HDR doesn't jump out and say "Look at me I am an HDR Photo".

HDR that doesn't look like a cartoon. Even the dark corners of the Cathedral are properly exposed but the highlight of the sun shining through the stained glass are properly exposed as well...






HDR is just too easily attached to an image today when it is not actually HDR but just an over edited tone mapped image. Here is some recent work I did while Urban Exploring... Still HDR, still mutli exposure but doesn't look like it was over done.

Reverend

^^Perfect example of "proper" HDR useage.

dxbjeep

Agreed, Im not a huge fan of the cartoon look either, the pic above is nice and understated, but still shows just enough to be a bit different

mdywglr4x4

This is one place where a problem comes in for many who are in the learning phase. The HDR is not simply created with a -2/0/+2. It might be less or it might be more. You might need 6 exposures. 5 exposures to make it be correct. You have to look at the scene. Use your camera and the histogram to confirm what you are shooting is getting what you need. Then when you get home and merge them you actually are creating an HDR.

The tree shots above appear to have been taken during the day. A single exposure for the tree and a single exposure for the sky(probably more than -2) is all that is needed for this for a properly done shot.


Thanks. The 1st one I cannot take credit for because I stole it from google The 2nd and 3rd shot are from a trip of Urban Explorer. Still not very good at creating a really good HDR but I think those are my 2 best.




*EDIT EDIT*


I don't mean to come off 'mean' or 'angry' but as a photographer I just get into rant mode when stuff about photography come up Sorry guys. Happy to help and provide feedback and tips if asked.

racer83l

WOW the camera can do it in the camera... Im going to find something to compose... takean in camera made HDR and post the results.... see what the pros say BTW I am no pro. just some terd that bought a camera

mdywglr4x4

It has become increasingly popular so the entry level and some prosumer models have offered it as a auto exposure bracketing. Some will go further and actually merge and create an image.

I haven't researched or looked at the results so would be interesting to actually see.

racer83l

well I was lucky enough to be a loser and bought my aluminum macbook before they added the SD card slot and my USB wire is at home.. anyways uploaded 2 videos of a PnS Leica taking an on board HDR, and another of it taking autobracketed photos.

ON board HDR..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn9iGwrs7iE

and auto bracketing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjxFNu8XRxE

I used my iPhone for the video so bare with me....