HDR Alternative

[Boscopix]

I have been reading lots of debates on here recently about whether to use HDR or not. I can see both sides and to be honest, Im pretty neutral about what people like to do creatively. I mean, everyone likes something different right?

Anyhow, I did see a comment by someone who asked, rather than just saying how you don't like HDR, perhaps offer a way to do things differently. That got me thinking. I do things a little differently...maybe I should share

When capturing landscapes, I always hated that on a bright sunny day where there are white fluffy clouds, I couldn't seem to capture the amazing mountain scene I was seeing with my eyes, onto my camera. I realize that our eyes naturally balence out the light, and that the camera doesn't. So there was a big exposure difference between the sky and the hillside. (Which is why so many people like HDR)...but rather than using a program such as photomatix which sometimes can leave you with an undsired result, I just do it manually in photoshop.

For example:


In the image above, I used a tripod and took several shots of several different exposures. Just like you would with an HDR. Then when I am in photoshop, I can layer the photos and using masks I can dodge and burn areas to get a more accurate photo of what my eye actually saw. I really try and make the photograph look as realistic as it did to me when I was standing there, and even though Im not perfect at it, I really like the results.

So if you want to try this out, I would always recommend using a tripod and shooting in RAW. When your in photoshop, for example, say you have the darker image (where the sky is the proper exposure) under the lighter image (where the mountain is the proper eposure). Then you put a layer mask on the lighter image and brush away the top layer revealing the properly exposed sky underneath. Basically thats it. Sometimes I use more than 2 to really get it to look how I want it...but thats the basic jist of it.

I hope this was a little helpful, and maybe a nice alternative to HDR? Either way, its what I always do
Cheers!

[statichash]

Originally Posted by Boscopix

I have been reading lots of debates on here recently about whether to use HDR or not. I can see both sides and to be honest, Im pretty neutral about what people like to do creatively. I mean, everyone likes something different right?

I saw the same rants and I think you said it best when you said that everyone likes something different, and I couldn't agree with you more regarding letting people do what they like creatively.

If you don't like something, close the post and move on, no reason to get nasty and negative about someone's choice to oversaturate a photo or use selective coloring etc...In the grand scheme of things, we're on this big rock to have fun and enjoy life - if not...what's the point?

Thanks for sharing your technique, it's a great way to merge shots and get the look you want.

[Boscopix]

Your very welcome

[PowerPix]

I would not call this an "alternative" to HDR. It is still an HDR photo that you manually blended.

I have photomatix but I much prefer to do them manually in photoshop. The results often end up much better! Your photo is wonderfully done. Great writeup.

[icewater]

Originally Posted by PowerPix

I would not call this an "alternative" to HDR. It is still an HDR photo that you manually blended.

I have photomatix but I much prefer to do them manually in photoshop. The results often end up much better! Your photo is wonderfully done. Great writeup.

i agree... still HDR doing it manually.

[RichardTaylor]

Lovely capture and thanks for the tips.

[Thanatoz]

Thats a great shot and I like to do the same especially with clouds. I guess this allows a higher dynamic range in the final image so technically is HDR. But it looks much more natural and avoids the clown puke effect

Thanks for highlighting how HDR can be done well.

[Boscopix]

Haha, yes, it still is HDR...just a different way about doing it I suppose. Maybe I should have titled more appropriately? Thanks everyone!

[sk66]

Well, yes it's still HDR technically. But not in the "tonemapped" sense that HDR has generally come to be thought of. This is "exposure blending" and can also be "automated" via Photomatix et all. However, manual blending/hdr is often better with moving subjects such as clouds.