by Gavin Seim: A problem people often have with HDR pictures, is getting a bold but balanced look. Often their images end up too flat, too fake, or too fancy and the entire goal (which is a vivid High Dynamic Range image) is lost. Here’s a few tips that apply to HDR nature as well as HDR portrait images on how I get a bold but not overkill look.
Below I’ve combined two – three image sets as HDR’s in Photomatix, but I’m just getting started. To bring it out, I need to mold them a bit and coax out the details I need.
1. Getting Tonemapped:
Start by combining your bracketed exposures. Bring out as much detail as you can using the Tonemapping features of your program. I find that the built in tools for doing this in Photoshop are seriously lacking.
There’s various other software options, but I’ve had the best results from Photomatix Pro (we’ve worked out a deal with them people. You can save 15% with promo code PPS15) Play with your settings, and make sure you adjust the “Light Smoothing” to look good with the image your making. Now save it. Render out the Tonemapped image and save it. I find 16 bit TIFF will give you the most to work with for the next step.
After I tweak the Tonemap settings in Photomatix, things start looking up. Now it’s time for the details
2. Editing Time:
Just because PS does not combine and Tonemap images well, does not mean we don’t need it. Once you’re done rendering the plain HDR it needs tweaking to make it POP. Now is the time to take the image in Photoshop (or another editor) and finish the magic. For the most part this means using basic tools.
Start with basics like Burn and Dodge. Remember just because it’s HDR does not mean everything should be bright and evenly exposed. This causes flatness. Shadows in the right places ad dimension and mood. Use B&D to lighten and darken areas till you have the perfect look. See this video about using Burn & Dodge. Then keep working with things like like curves and levels. Get the amount of contrast and boldness you need.
3. Just a little bit more:
Now that you’ve brought out the primary tones, add some finishing touches. At this point it’s OK to reduce your image to 8bit if it’s a 16 bit. Not only will this reduce file size and speed things up, it will make the image more compatible for the final version. Since you’ve already brought out the primary shadow and highlight you need, you’ll still maintain that look when you go 8bit. Just hang on to originals in case you ever need to backtrack (a golden rule for any photographer)
4: Fit n Finish:
At this point you could stop, but often that final magic comes from a little more work. Add some other effects if the shot needs it. Boost colors, play with your curves one last time. I often run a few of my actions to get that final look. The effects you use on your everyday images can also work wonders for your HDR.
If you’ve followed the other steps correctly you should just about have your masterpiece Last but not least I’ll sharpen or run a sharpening action. All this rendering sometimes makes an image that’s not quite the majestic view you saw when you clicked. .
Now go try it yourself. When you’re done you can submit your shot to the new Amazing HDR group on Flickr. You can see more of my HDR at seimphotography.com. Have fun, Gavin
Sunset Windmills: My finished product for today. These are fairly mild mannered HDR’s. Variety is good, but remember that balance is king.
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