Help with HDR

[natydoj]

Hello everyone,

Not sure if this has already been discussed but it's doing my nut in.

I've seen loads of HDR shots on the site but whenever I try it, I can't help to think that mine always looks overprocessed. I'm currently using CS2 by the way.

I've downloaded Photomatix and it does it relatively nicely but I want to know if anyone could help explain if there is a standard shape or curve to follow when processing on CS2?

Thanks

Jody

[data5amurai]

Your overprocessed HDR's will come directly from the tonemapping procedures used in Photomatix. Keep your strength in check, stay conservative with your color saturation (i usually dont get over 70 before mine become over saturated), ALWAYS use high light smoothing (very right radio button), go as high as possible with luminosity (until your photo becomes washed out then drop down lower), start micro smoothing at 2 and work your way up to reduce the effect of tone mapping from cartoonish to more subtle, sat shadows and highlights should be at 0, all other below micro smoothing at 0.

Try that basic template out with your HDR shots to start with, then adjust to your desire. Also, never process your photo through the photomatix tone mapping procedure more than once unless you want overprocessed. Hope this helps.

[beverlykaytw]

I have a question re Photomatrix - is there any good guide or explanation out there about how the different sliders work? I would rather have a better understanding of what they do to help me when I start sliding them around? I will try playing with settings as noted by data5amurai - thanks!

[natydoj]

hey man,
thanks for the tips. will try all that with Photomatix but I really want to learn how to do it properly on PS.

[sybren]

I like Hugin for my HDRs, as it produces a very natural result.