HDR, but not too HDR...

[calcuttr]

Hi,

I took this in St. Peter's Basilica where the architecture and mosaics are already extremely beautiful, and where the only problem for a photographer is light. I took this using the autobracket setting so as to capture the detail of the room, but also to let the light in. I didnt want to process this too much because i thought it would detract from the existing beauty of the subject. Do you think it is too much, not enough?

Are there any other things you think I need to consider with HDR, as this is really one of my first visits into this area.

Thanks for any C&C

EXIF
Panasonic DMC FZ28
f/2.8
Autobracketed shot and HDR created with Photomatix Pro



larger version here:
Flickr Photo Download: Main Altar at St. Peter's HDR

[aspencade]

Its a great shot...a photo you would not get with a single exposure...for me I would just lift the contrast a touch on the lower third portion..just to give it a little more impact and lead your eye in..well done.........Paul

[calcuttr]

great advice, thanks, I will try increasing the contrast as you suggest.

[ressalg]

Great HDR. Not too overly processed... just enough to give the feel of an HDR without being over the top. There's so much to look at that it makes it a really fun photo to look at.

[FormElement]

That's a very nice image. I find that I have better results getting "natural" HDR images out of photoshop. The giveaway for me here is in the ganite columns in the back. Photomatix wants to really exaggerate contrast in the neutral tones, (like clouds, stone, and concrete) I have never been happy with photomatix, mostly because I want my results to look like the original scene appeared to my eyes, with maybe just a bit of embellishment. Also, I process them with luminance masks and layers. Actually a very simple method once you understand it. I completely bypass anything at all that says HDR on it. That's just a personal opinion on method. HDR in the super saturated, super contrasty sense also has its place.

[jbeiler55]

Could you give us a rundown of how you use luminance masks and layers in PS? Thanks!

[FormElement]

Originally Posted by jbeiler55

Could you give us a rundown of how you use luminance masks and layers in PS? Thanks!

Yes I can do that. I will post in the appropriate forum with an example photo. That takes some time to build in a step-by-step though.

You can learn a lot from Tony Kuiper's website. He has fantastic tutorials on both luminance and saturation masks.

This tutorial is fairly recent.
Tony Kuyper Photography—Hand-Blending High Dynamic Range Using Luminosity Masks

For the method he describes above, instead of painting directly on a mask, I do recommend learning to "mask the mask", if you have a recent version of Adobe Photoshop and can use layer folders. It gives you a much higher level of control, and "undo-ability" in building and editing your masks.