Thursday, November 13, 2008
Photoshop Workbench 152: High Dynamic Range Photography Using Photomatix Pro
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On today’s Photoshop Workbench we’re going to explore High Dynamic Range photography, and we’re truly going on an exploration together, because I’m still learning about HDR photography. I’m very excited about it, in fact I’m so excited that even though there’s a lot I don’t know about HDR and Photomatix Pro, I want to share some of my exciting discoveries with you.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8:20 am
Mark,
Thanks for the intro to PhotomatrixPro, I think? I like it better when you really know what you are demonstrating. While I appreciate knowing that you are human when you leave your comfort zone this will be your first workbench that I won’t be saving. It almost seems that it would be easier to take the five shots directly into Photoshop to acomplish the HDR results and save the $100??
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 9:34 am
While I’m fascinated by the concept of HDR I was rather disappointed with this workbench. Especially since this is/was suppose to be “PhotoShop” WB # 152 and not Photomax. I would really like to see the process using PhotoShop.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 10:22 am
i liked this workbench. i have been trying to get decent results on hdr with photomatix and never really knew what all the sliders were doing. so thanks mark. yeah the workbench was a little sketchy but i don’t mind that.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Hey guys, take it easy on Mark! He’s doing a great job on a program new to him. Photomatix is not the most user friendly program. For lot’s more information on the subject see this site.
http://www.hdrlabs.com/book/ There is more than you could ever read and also a list of all available software some of which is free. For a look at some of my shots go here: http://www.pbase.com/dsimps19/ob
Don
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 1:49 pm
HDR indeed is a fascinating technique. I am using Photomatix Pro now for almost a year, and I think the programm is doing great. I like this workbench because it shows a lot of the possibilities. However, I would recommend never to start with pictures taken with ISO 400, as the HDR-process then tends to heaviliy increase noise. Start with the lowest ISO on your camera!
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Mark,
Hang in there it gets better. The problem I’m having with HDR is that now I have started playing with it I can’t seem to go back to “normal”. It’s addictive.
The book mentioned by Don is one of the better ones and Rob van Esch is absolutely correct about lowest ISO.
It is best to use a tripod and cable release, however if you find yourself having to hand capture, I find aligning in Photoshop and then saving out the layers as Tiff and then working with PhotomatixPro does a better job than PhotomatixPro alignment.
I also fine that further post processing is usually required.
A really good video tutorial is High Dynamic Range Mastery by Ben Willmore.
Keep up the good work, it’s appreciated.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Mark,
Thanks for taking the risk of showing us something before you have mastered it. I have just started using it and I concur with the commnents above with respect to using a cable release and low ISO. I am a Nikon user so I set the camera up for 3, 5, or 7 one-stop images depending on some test shots to make sure I have captured the entire tonal range (no blown-out hightlights or blocked up shadows). I also use mirrow lockup, a cable release, and shoot on continuous high which assures me of getting the images as close together as possible. This can be critical in situations where the light is changing very rapidly … like sunrise, sunset, or broken clouds.
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 5:44 am
hello,
I have not watched the show as of yet, but I do want to tell everyone who complaines:
whaaa, whaa, whaa!
My workbench suggestion would be: how do I fake a nice and brown skin tone on holiday pictures, when I do not have a nice tan, since it was early on in the vacation?
otherwise:
thanks for spending your precious time for us!!!
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 12:28 pm
hey there,
this is for those who would like to see more on the subject:
revision3.com/pixelperfect
then somewhere in the latest video-tutorials.
mark, thanks for doing the workbench.
my suggestion is:
how do I have a white skin (vacation pictures early on in the vacation) and change it to nice and sunkissed?
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Great workbench. Just started with HDR and am using Photomatix. Great software – just takes a while to learn like most programs.
Keep up the good work and we appreciate your time and efforts to showcase something new.
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Nice tutorial Mark. This was the first time I had seen that program used. I purchased a new HDR program called Essential HDR, it seems to be more user friendly. You might want to check it out.
Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 12:44 am
Thats Mark for doing this workbench. I have been using Photomatix Pro for about 6 months and have been doing it by trial and error. I really enjoy the program and have some real good results with it. Its nice to be educated with you fine technical skills. Thank you for deviating to another tool for a week.
Christopher
Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I’ve also been using Photomatix Pro off and on for perhaps 6 months now, and Mark — in your first forays you’ve discovered more than I have in all that time! Thank you for sharing your excitement, and what you’ve learned. Now I’m intrigued to continue exploring HDR, especially in conjunction with Photoshop to further refine.
Monday, November 17, 2008 at 8:43 am
I thought ALL the comments were appropriate. If this site is to be successful everyone who comes here needs to have the freedom to speak his or her mind. As long as those comments are done in an equitable and constructive way I see no need to contradict anyone else. I have a feeling Mark is a big boy and can handle his own problems adequately. By the way Mark…thanks for ’stepping out of your comfort zone’. We all should probably do that a bit more…
Monday, November 17, 2008 at 5:06 pm
One more thing,
When you first create the HDR merge in Photomatix, save it out as a .hdr. This will save you the time of having to rebuild it , if for some reason you want to run through tone mapping with different setting.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Mark when I ask you to do a HDR for me I did not know it would create such mixed reviews. I have been playing around with HDR for a few months now and have come up about the same results as you. I have the book Mastering HDR by Michael Freeman and his workflow suggestions are much the same. I think you did a great job in the workshop. HDR is a hole new animal and I believe you still have to pick the best time of day for good lighting. Overcase days ,early morning and late evening I have found to be the best. In my opinion no one has mastered solfware that canovercome bad exposure and lighting.
Great worshop
TR
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 8:47 am
Some people drive in the left lane, focused on the destination. Others enjoy taking a back road knowing that the journey gives meaning. Sharing the joy and amusement of new discoveries is profoundly human. It is but one vista on life’s journey and we can’t wait to see what is up ahead. I for one am thankful for the insight, hints, examples, encouragenment provided over the last few years and I look forward to more. It doesn’t matter to me if a presentation is polished or not but what does matter is that it is offered in an atmosphere of open sharing. The content offered on RV has been the best learning environment I have encountered and I am thankful that it is continuing.
Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 5:00 am
Hi Mark. I have always enjoyed your podcasts right from the “early days” of Radiant Vista and indeed continue to do so.
The HDR podcast was very interesting. I have owned Photomatix for some time now. I like the idea of HDR but I have found that the results vary considerably with some images converting well and others looking dreadful. I hate the “overdone HDR” look. I accept some folks like this but its not for me. What I find a little annoying when using Photomatix, is the inconsistency of output. If i blend images with the same variable exposur range in Photoshop, I am generally very happy with the results. If I blend the same images in Photomatix I may find the “plastic: result unacceptable. Why can`t Photomatix just blend the images agreeably and consistently? The Photoshop HDR process remains awful I am afraid.
I am certain the future is HDR, and we are starting to see the beginnings in higher end cameras now. Soon we will just select HDR in camera and the blending process will occur in camera; perhaps with the output in RAW?
Thanks again Mark, keep exploring those boundaries, I for one am with you!
Regards.
Nick
ENGLAND
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 6:40 am
Mark,
First off, although I may not agree with all the comments, I think freedom of thought/speech is essential to lively dialog.
Secondly, the Workbench was classic you! I so respect a person who can be vulnerable to others in public. You have showed us once again how enthusiasm, risk-taking and intellectual honesty trumps a smooth oily presentation.
Thanks,
Tony