First attempt on HDR - Part 2

[kuul13]

Here is another HDR image that I processed using Topaz Adjust. IMO this seems to be better than my first thread posted 2 days back. I would appreciate your comments on overall composition, shot selection for HDR, positives/negatives from this shot and any tip on how to select a frame on location for HDR? and a link to know how to achieve HDR with single shot using photoshop?


ExIF:
Nikon D80
Shutter: 1/350s
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 35mm
ISO: 800
Flash: No flash

[digirebelva]

Is this based on 3 images or a single image...A singe tone mapped image will work but not as effectively as 3 bracketd images...
Straighten it a bit, the clouds and sky are severly blown out...leading my eye to constantly go back to them from the main subject. (i.e. a competing interest)

You have a lot of noise artifacts, based on your focal length, ISO 800 was overkill, introducing more noise than was necessary into the image.

Composition wise I would have moved a bit more to the right and included less of the street behind, right now the car is acting as a leading line to the background, not what I think you were looking for.

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by digirebelva

Is this based on 3 images or a single image...A singe tone mapped image will work but not as effectively as 3 bracketd images...
Straighten it a bit, the clouds and sky are severly blown out...leading my eye to constantly go back to them from the main subject. (i.e. a competing interest)

You have a lot of noise artifacts, based on your focal length, ISO 800 was overkill, introducing more noise than was necessary into the image.

Composition wise I would have moved a bit more to the right and included less of the street behind, right now the car is acting as a leading line to the background, not what I think you were looking for.

Thanks for the detailed critique on my shot. It will help me in processing an HDR effectively.. This was a single image and I used Topaz preset to get to this effect. How can i use one shot to get HDR in photoshop though?

[digirebelva]

I dont know if PS can do tone mapping with 1 image (I use Photomatix)...What I do if the slowest shutter speed winds up being to slow to hand hold, is to bracket the shot, delete the underexposed original, since it will be to blurry to use, (by the way this is shooting in raw) open the normal exposed shot in ACR, and push the exposure slider all the way to the left and save the image(s) as tiffs. Then I would bring them into PS or Topaz.

[Tito87]

How can i use one shot to get HDR in photoshop though?

Hope this helps.
How To Make a HDR Image Using One Picture Photoshop Tutorials

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by Tito87

Hope this helps.
How To Make a HDR Image Using One Picture Photoshop Tutorials

Tito, sorry for being so late to respond as I was in between the jobs. The link looks promising but the images are broken. But will try to understand the steps and try some HDR.

[fotomagicstudios]

The image looks way over processed. HDR is supposed to catch the dynamic range of colors and then you blend them in a way that it looks like one shot.

There was an awesome tutorial on DPS a week or two ago, with the sunset on the beach. Amazing colors and contrast. I suggest you take a look at the tutorial.

I use Topaz Labs but I never use the plugins "as-is". You must blend the pictures together that it seems like it was taken like that.

Can you share the original picture? I will work on it tonite and draft up a nice tutorial on how you can do HDR with a single image using Topaz Labs. I will share it with everyone. Thanks!

[digirebelva]

Originally Posted by fotomagicstudios

The image looks way over processed. HDR is supposed to catch the dynamic range of colors and then you blend them in a way that it looks like one shot.

Yes, but the user gets to determine what the final output looks like, realistic, overcooked, etc...your personal taste is realistic, others favor the slightly to major overcooked look. Otherwise there would be no sliders, you would get what you get..

I agree though, teach them how to use the software, they will figure out the end result they are comfortable with..

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by digirebelva

Is this based on 3 images or a single image...A singe tone mapped image will work but not as effectively as 3 bracketd images...

Yes! If you really want the best images you can get, you're going to have to use a tripod, lower your ISO and bracket your shots.

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by fotomagicstudios

The image looks way over processed. HDR is supposed to catch the dynamic range of colors and then you blend them in a way that it looks like one shot.

There was an awesome tutorial on DPS a week or two ago, with the sunset on the beach. Amazing colors and contrast. I suggest you take a look at the tutorial.

I use Topaz Labs but I never use the plugins "as-is". You must blend the pictures together that it seems like it was taken like that.

Can you share the original picture? I will work on it tonite and draft up a nice tutorial on how you can do HDR with a single image using Topaz Labs. I will share it with everyone. Thanks!

Here is the original.. not sure if I selected the correct photo for HDR?