Do you like dynamic range? Let’s put it this way, are you a fan of the Shadows and Highlights sliders? Getting great tonal definition is a big part of making an excellent photo. Pushing the Limits with HDR Most people have mixed thoughts about HDR. Some resist because of the extra steps of shooting bracketed photos. Others had the over-the-top look practiced by some artists and abused by many. Don’t worry, neither of those problems exist in this workflow. I’m going to show you how to get the most out of a single raw file. What You … [Read more...] about Get the Most Dynamic Range from a Single Raw File
HDR Soft
How to Use HDR for Nighttime Photography
Making pictures at nighttime can be challenging. Parts of a picture that are lit with street lamps or other lights are very bright compared to the darkness of the sky or the shadows under trees and porches. This scene is described as having a high dynamic rangethe difference between light and shadow is very great. This is the reason we have HDR tools for photography. Let me show you how I used HDR techniques to make a picture at nighttime. Bracket While photowalking with a terrific group in Austin, Texas, I wanted to make a picture of the … [Read more...] about How to Use HDR for Nighttime Photography
HDR Hangout: Creating Natural Looking HDR Images
In this free webinar, you'll learn how to create HDR image that look natural and not over-processed. It's perfect for all photographers (even if you shoot only a single exposure). HDR Hangout: Creating Natural Looking HDR Images In this hangout we'll explore how to use high dynamic range shooting and developing techniques to create natural looking photos. This is perfect for shooting real estate, product photography, and landscapes. If you think you hate HDR (but love those shadow and highlight sliders) then this workshop is perfect for … [Read more...] about HDR Hangout: Creating Natural Looking HDR Images
Create Great HDR Images without a Remote Trigger
One of the frustrations when combining multiple exposures into an HDR image is ghosting. This appears if the camera has shifted even the slightest bit between images. HDR processing software like Lightroom or Photomatix Pro can do a pretty good job at aligning the images and removing ghosting, but it doesn't always work. The secret is to keep your camera still while you're taking the exposures, and do it as quickly as you can without touching the camera in-between shots. Its common to use a remote shutter release to keep your camera still, but … [Read more...] about Create Great HDR Images without a Remote Trigger
HDR Hangout: Choosing Between Tone Mapping or Exposure Fusion
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). Be sure to tune in: Monday, November 2, 2:00 PM3:30 PM ET | 11:0012:30 PT RSVP here and it'll show your local time. One of the most important choices you can make when creating your HDR photograph is how to use all of the exposure information. This is where Tone Mapping and Exposure … [Read more...] about HDR Hangout: Choosing Between Tone Mapping or Exposure Fusion
Five Ways to Get Better Results with Photomatix Pro
We recently held an HDR Hangout to help you get started. Our guest on the program was Blake Rudis of EverydayHDR. Blake is a fine artist who fell in love with HDR photography. He combines his understanding of light and form to make some powerful images. Here's a followup guest tutorial from Blake. We hope you enjoy and be sure to give Photomatix Pro a try. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ArmOY6ikVI 5 HDR Tips for Photomatix Pro 5.0 Presets are not always the best option. Dynamic Range changes drastically from one image to the next. A … [Read more...] about Five Ways to Get Better Results with Photomatix Pro
Getting Started with HDR Photography (Free Event 8/26)
Don't miss our next Google Hangout. The event is Wednesday, August 26, 2015. Its absolutely free to attend thanks to HDRSoft. It starts at 1PM Eastern/10 AM Pacific. You've probably heard about HDR photography... but do you really understand how to shoot it properly? In this informative and free event, top experts will share with you strategies on how to increase the dynamic range of your photos to make great looking images. Learn how to merge multiple exposures together to make great looking photos that tell the "whole story" of the … [Read more...] about Getting Started with HDR Photography (Free Event 8/26)
What Does HDR Photography Really Mean?
High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography has quickly grown into a popular form of photographic expression. It is both loved and loathed depending upon who you discuss the subject with. Many photography purists oppose the technique and declare it to be unnatural or over-processed. Other photographers embrace it for its many benefits and opportunities. The perspective that matters the most of course is the audiences... they love HDR. The goal of this article is to help you understand the technical approach behind the photography and understand … [Read more...] about What Does HDR Photography Really Mean?
Photomatix Pro Workflow Tips for Real Estate Interiors
Making photographs indoors during the full light of day can present a variety of exposure challenges to real estate photographers in terms of dynamic range. From light spiking through windows to shadows lurking behind walls, the eye will adjust to balance these harsh conditions automatically. Our cameras in-turn rely on the photographer's vision and decision-making to produce the necessary range of exposures required to cover the gamut and generate a realistic composition of the scene in post. Regardless of the style of shooting, wherever … [Read more...] about Photomatix Pro Workflow Tips for Real Estate Interiors
LIVE HDR Hangout with Photomatix Expert Ron Pepper
While many have heard of (or even tried) HDR, chances are we're not making the most of the process - in fact we're likely overdoing it. To help you learn more, we've lined up a top expert for an interactive discussion and webinar. To learn more about how Google Hangouts work, click here. Mastering HDR & Photomatix Pro with Ron Pepper Thursday, April 9 at 10:30am PST / 1:30pm EST Register Here For those interested in learning more about the High Dynamic Range shooting and processing technique, you're invited to join us next Thursday, April … [Read more...] about LIVE HDR Hangout with Photomatix Expert Ron Pepper
Reducing Chromatic Aberration in HDR Photos
Whenever you have a high contrast area, it's easy to end up with chromatic aberration in a photo. This often results in a purple or green fringe along the edges of some objects in the photo. When merging HDR photos, this problem can become event worse. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to fix the problem in both Photomatix Pro and then use Adobe Camera Raw to clean up spots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu46kY4hLpA In this excerpt from my new lynda.com class Up and Running with Photomatix Pro, you'll learn how to quickly get results. … [Read more...] about Reducing Chromatic Aberration in HDR Photos
Working with Single Files in Photomatix Pro
Did you know that HDR software can be used to enhance the dynamic range of a single exposure as well? Earlier we looked at enhancing a single raw file, but you can even improve upon a single JPEG or TIFF. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKfCSTr0Rqw In this excerpt from my new lynda.com class Up and Running with Photomatix Pro, you'll learn how to quickly get results. Remember, you can pull down a fully functional demo version of Photomatix Pro as well. … [Read more...] about Working with Single Files in Photomatix Pro
Add Finishing Touches to HDR Photos
Once you "finish" a photo in Photomatix Pro, you aren't really done. The software offers a collection of useful adjustment to refine contrast and control color balance to really achieve the best results. These adjustments are easy to use once you learn them, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adFHkgkB_Zg In this excerpt from my new lynda.com class Up and Running with Photomatix Pro, you'll learn how to quickly get results. Remember, you can pull down a fully functional demo version of Photomatix Pro as well. … [Read more...] about Add Finishing Touches to HDR Photos
A Black-and-White Workflow with HDR
Black and white photography is all about contrast. Working with HDR is a great way to create compelling photos. In this tutorial I'll show you how to create the most contrast in a photo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kemZxYSFzg In this excerpt from my new lynda.com class Up and Running with Photomatix Pro, you'll learn how to quickly get results. Remember, you can pull down a fully functional demo version of Photomatix Pro as well. … [Read more...] about A Black-and-White Workflow with HDR
Working with Single Raw Images and Photomatix Pro
Did you know that HDR software can be used to enhance the dynamic range of a single exposure as well? By accessing all the data in a raw file, a technically improved photo can be extracted from the source. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYo1Ow3zelM In this excerpt from my new lynda.com class Up and Running with Photomatix Pro, you'll learn how to quickly get results. Remember, you can pull down a fully functional demo version of Photomatix Pro as well. … [Read more...] about Working with Single Raw Images and Photomatix Pro
Tamara Lackey, Ron Pepper & Jerry Ghionis | Photofocus Podcast 3/25/14
This week's podcast features a triple dose of photo knowledge. First up, Melissa Niu catches up with portrait photographer Tamara Lackey. The Rich Harrington and Ron Pepper discuss panoramic photography workflows. Then we jump back to Melissa as she interviews Jerry Ghionis for his take on shooting portraits and where the photo industry is headed. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/141333122" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="175" iframe="true" … [Read more...] about Tamara Lackey, Ron Pepper & Jerry Ghionis | Photofocus Podcast 3/25/14
Working with Presets for Fast Results with HDR
As you work with images, its often easy to feel stuck. One of my favorite features in Photomatix Pro is the ability to quickly audition the many different tone mapping methods. From subtle to intense, there are many options to choose from. In this quick video tutorial I'll walk you through some of my favorite options. https://vimeo.com/87062384 This is an excerpt from a new lynda.com training class which comes out soon. For more on HDR, be sure to check out the HDR Learning Center. ______ … [Read more...] about Working with Presets for Fast Results with HDR
Adding Tone and Contrast to a Single Image
I'm a big fan of details... I often like my images to feel a bit "gritty" and "deep." Sure, it doesn't work for every subject, but there are plenty where a little "pop" goes a long way. One of my favorite ways to do this is HDR toning. This isn't the traditional HDR you've heard of. You don't need multiple exposures or anything else... just a piece of software. I prefer Photomatix Pro ($99 US), but you can get the same results with Photomatix Essentials ($39 US). The Pro version has other benefits we'll explore later. Both versions work … [Read more...] about Adding Tone and Contrast to a Single Image
Try Out the Public Beta of Photomatix 5
Those of you who caught our recent Google+ hangout we're treated to a sneak peek of the new Photomatix 5. The software has some great new additions including a contrast optimizer option which works great to create subtle images that still pop. Here are the details of what's new. Updates in Photomatix Pro 5.0 Beta New Tone Mapping method named Contrast Optimizer, which is is good at producing realistic-looking results while still enhancing shadows and highlights. Contrast Optimizer can be accessed via the Method combo-box or by selecting the … [Read more...] about Try Out the Public Beta of Photomatix 5
A Complete HDR Workflow
I've put together a complete lesson on creating High Dynamic Range panoramic photos. This video tutorial walks you through a few different tools to try out. [vimeo http://vimeo.com/68395948 w=640&h=360] I'll show you how to: Organize multiple HDR photos Use Photoshop's built-in toolset Use Adobe Camera Raw to pre-process raw files before the merge Align images and reduce noise and ghosting Create a batch process with Photomatix Enhance images with tone maps and fusion Browse preset looks to find a good starting point Choose the … [Read more...] about A Complete HDR Workflow
Which Type of HDR is Right for You?
When working with HDR software tools, there are many options. Its easy to get overwhelmed with sliders and presets. Theres a critical choice that needs to be made first. How do you want to merge the multiple exposures together? There are generally three options to choose from. Lets explore the benefits of each. Fuse Exposures The most subtle use of HDR is to simply merge exposures. If you want to capture a scene whos dynamic range exceeds the capabilities of a digital sensor, use this approach. In Photomatix, choose the method Fuse exposure … [Read more...] about Which Type of HDR is Right for You?
