HDR Portraits?

[Joe Butch]

I couldn't find any examples on the internet but is it possible to successfully do an HDR photo with a person as the main subject? Does anyone have any examples of how this would look?

[PowerPix]

Yes, I've tried it just for fun and it looked fine.

[aadav]

Originally Posted by PowerPix

Yes, I've tried it just for fun and it looked fine.

Can you show me that?

[PowerPix]

Actually I don't have it anymore, sorry. I deleted it because it was taking up space and I only created it just to try something out. If you are looking for samples of HDR portraits, you can go to Flikr and search "HDR portraits". A lot of them are overdone, though. The trick is to keep it very subtle.

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by Joe Butch

I couldn't find any examples on the internet but is it possible to successfully do an HDR photo with a person as the main subject? Does anyone have any examples of how this would look?

The reason you don't see any on the internet is because it is very difficult. The subject would have to be extremely still. Software will align the main subjects but it is limited as to what it will do. You need to take 3 shots or more & most people automatically relax after they hear the shutter release. So, while any software can align the main subject, the background would then be adjusted out of alignment.

Just curious. Why would you want to do it? You could expose for the background & use a flash to expose the main subject. With practice, you won't even notice the flash.

[Murtasma]

HDR for portraits I feel is usually unnecessary and often times ruins a good portrait. It makes the skin muddy, too much emphasis on unwanted details of the face (small pores, pits, wrinkles) are much more noticeable which does not flatter the subject.

If you want to create a portrait for a particular reason that puts emphsis on these features then HDR / Tone Mapping is great way to accomplish that. If you want a flattering portrait I suggest reading up on poses, lighting and post processing portraits without the use of HDR / Tone mapping or Shadow Highlight adjustment.

HDR Portraits I feel work best when you want to create a dark and mysterious mood to an image, homeless people or old people where the wrinkles and blemishes on the face create character.

From the link above my thread here is my take on the use of HDR / Tone Mapping on each image.

1. Works pretty well here, probably a little over done.
2. Worked well but tone mapping was not necessary a single hard light above the camera and some post processing in photoshop could get the same exact result if not better.
3. I don't care for the green tint and color shift in this image. This probably was the artists intention but not really my cup of tea. HDR / Tone mapping was unnecessary here, simple curve adjustment and color balance can get the same result and probably look better.
4. Studio setup, this worked well but I have my doubts as to how much HDR / Tone mapping was actually done on this image. The lighting is what makes his image not the post processing.
5. Face is way too smooth doesn't really fit the rest of the image, looks over processed and amateurish. Probably trying to compensate for an image they found to be boring but I actually like the pose the girl is pretty and the environment looks good. The unedited image with some slight corrections would probably have been better.
6. Worked well here probably a little over done. I've seen these old people HDR / Tone mapped images way too often. Learning to properly light someone like this to emphasis the wrinkles and character of the face will get better results then just cranking up the contrast in the image.
7. Good job, good lighting as well.
8. Worked well better then 6
9. Face is too muddy
10. Gross someone just learned how to do tone mapping and Orton. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
11. Why? 0 out of 10
12. No thoughts on this one really kind of blah.
13. Face is too muddy
14. Simple curve adjustment can get the same effect.
15. Eyes are over done, hair is poorly exposed, lighting is bad, background is distracting. Looks like someone just setup a tripod and a timer because they could, perhaps they were testing.
16. Boring why did this even make it to this list? Not gonna waste time writing what's wrong with this image.
17. Looks good, have my doubts on the amount of tone mapping done in this image. Does appear a slight blueish tint.
18. See 16
19. Not feeling it.
20. Nice image, hair on the right is a tad too dark.

This post is just a personal opinion some people like the feel of tone mapped portraits.

[arlon]

Originally Posted by Digidave

The subject would have to be extremely still. Software will align the main subjects but it is limited as to what it will do..

Just shoot a raw shot and generate a pair of jpg at +2 and -2 EV. Yes it does work and can be pretty interesting depending on the affect you're trying to accomplish..

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by arlon

Just shoot a raw shot and generate a pair of jpg at +2 and -2 EV. Yes it does work and can be pretty interesting depending on the affect you're trying to accomplish..

But then, that's not a true HDR, now is it?