HDR vs layers

Dolby

Dolby

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So I've seen a few of you chatting about HDR and decided to Google.

I see Photoshop Elements doesn't do HDR - but does layering.

What would the difference be actually? Surely one can create HDR with layers? What does 'real' HDR software do differently?
 
HDR is a function. It is automatically done by the software. The software decides which areas of each RAW file to use... and it looks weird.

On the other hand, with layers, I decide which areas to use manually... and it looks natural.
 
I'm with QTheory - I prefer using layers. Here's a recipe that I use. There's a link to a PS method in my recipe, which may work with elements.
 
Quantum Theory said:
HDR is a function. It is automatically done by the software. The software decides which areas of each RAW file to use... and it looks weird.

On the other hand, with layers, I decide which areas to use manually... and it looks natural.
Click to expand...
This is probably the first HDR I did back when I fist got my camera (Shot number 161 by the look of it). Does it really look weird?

attachment.php


If by "weird" you mean surreal then that is up to whomever is telling the software what to do. I'm not a big fan of that look and tend to go for the more natural look.
 
The 'layering' you talk of is referred to as exposure blending, I think, and can be done in most HDR programs. Exposure blending gives an effect similar to HDR. You can get some stunning results with exposure blending.

I think you can do something called 'tome-mapping' in Elements, but it is a really tedious way of getting results, if you actually want to do HDR.

Your pic does not look like HDR to me.

I suggest you download a demo version of an HDR program, like Dynamic Photo HDR, and see what it can do for you. You can also get some free open-source HDR programs at a website like sourceforge.net, some of them are quite professional.
 
plazma said:
Your pic does not look like HDR to me.
Click to expand...
If you're talking to me then thank you. :)

There are different types of exposure blending however. Some prefer doing it manually others prefer to let software take control. An excellent, if not the best, HDR application in my opinion is Photomatrix Pro.
 
plazma said:
The 'layering' you talk of is referred to as exposure blending, I think, and can be done in most HDR programs. Exposure blending gives an effect similar to HDR. You can get some stunning results with exposure blending.
Click to expand...

Yes, exposure blending or DRI (Dynamic Range Increase).
 
bwana said:
If by "weird" you mean surreal then that is up to whomever is telling the software what to do. I'm not a big fan of that look and tend to go for the more natural look.
Click to expand...

To be honest, even toned down HDR looks weird to me. The shadows and contrast just look unnatural.
 
My take on HDR is that it is a method employed to allow more graduations of colour in images. There is a limit to graduations of colour and by adjusting exposure we hit clipping bounds on the shadows and highlights side of the spectrum. Using multiple exposures and then blending them whether you use a layer blend technique or a creating an image with an exceptional high range and then tone mapping down - it achives the same purpose. The perceived range is expanded. Of course you will be limited to the range of the device the image is displayed on (as my understanding goes, this is why you have to tone-map a raw HDR)

I think learning to do the layer blending is a good exercise as you can learn to control your image, and also learn a bit about what sort of bracketing you would need to cover overexposed highlights or underexposed shadows.
 
Is exposure the same as simply bumping up brightness? :P

Or more complex?

In other words, can I take one photo - save 3 copies - and bump up brightness on one/decrease on other to give me 3 picture source?
 
Dolby said:
Is exposure the same as simply bumping up brightness? :P

Or more complex?

In other words, can I take one photo - save 3 copies - and bump up brightness on one/decrease on other to give me 3 picture source?
Click to expand...

You could, but if your highlights and shadows are clipped, then you won't get back the detail. If you shoot RAW you could have some detail in the highlights and shadows, but the get the most detail it is much better taking bracketed shots
 
Hmm ....

Just downloaded Photomatic and clicked on Exposure Fusing. I got this ... http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15431/title/img-0551-2-3-fused/cat/500

From these 3 :

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15430/title/img-0553/cat/500
http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15429/title/img-0552/cat/500
http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15428/title/img-0551/cat/500

The HDR effect doesn't look too different :/ But I'm pretty happy with the above 'one click' solution

I see with HDR one needs 3 images minimum. If I have more, would it create more impact?

Also, playing with shutter speed = exposure as well, right? For example taking 3 night pictures at 6, 8 and 10 seconds shutter?
 
Last edited:
Dolby said:
Hmm ....

Just downloaded Photomatic and clicked on Exposure Fusing. I got this ... http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15431/title/img-0551-2-3-fused/cat/500

From these 3 :

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15430/title/img-0553/cat/500
http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15429/title/img-0552/cat/500
http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/15428/title/img-0551/cat/500

The HDR effect doesn't look too different :/ But I'm pretty happy with the above 'one click' solution

I see with HDR one needs 3 images minimum. If I have more, would it create more impact?

Also, playing with shutter speed = exposure as well, right? For example taking 3 night pictures at 6, 8 and 10 seconds shutter?
Click to expand...
Just remember, you want to keep your aperture constant throughout the set of photos otherwise the DoF may change.
 
Ah ... good point.

And on a P&S it would automatically adjust aperture.

Btw, you'll have happy to know that after a week, I can see limits and floors in a P&S :/
 
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