Re: Still playing with HDR

"Peter" <peternew@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:47b5b267$0$13857$8f2e0ebb@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "Elmore" <el@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
> news:iIGdnZRV7rE5PijanZ2dnUVZ_h2pnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>
>> "Father McKenzie" <father_mckenzie@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>> news:61ljuaF1smcasU1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/silvermoon/2266292417/sizes/l/
>>>
>>> A little bit more cloud would have been nice
>>
>> I'm interested in giving HDR a try so some details would be nice too. 
>> I'm still using Photoshop CS and I don't have HDR software.  I'd like
to 
>> see the images you combined to get your final image along with the 
>> exposure differences.  What kinds of software have you used?  Some HDR 
>> images have a more realistic look (such as your example) while others
cam 
>> vary from a painted look to the surreal.  Are these differences due
more 
>> to software or processing techniques?
>>
>> Any starting out tips would be appreciated.
>
>
> Software is irrelevant. I use HDR to get proper exposures of both 
> highlights and shadows. The idea is to set your camera on a tripod and 
> take a series of exposures. You then merge the images so that your 
> highlight and shadow areas are properly exposed. You can get this effect

> by using each exposure as a layer, then masking and adjusting the
density. 
> The merge to HDR feature provides a starting point that saves you a lot
of 
> work. I find that most results have to be further adjusted. YMMV
> There are some who further play with HDR to get artistic effects they 
> like. Others may claim the exaggerated effects are not photography. I
will 
> not get into that issue. If the artist likes it, that's all that's 
> im****tant. If a client likes it and pays for it, so much the better.
>
> Have fun and don't let the snobbery stand in the way of your of 
> photography.
>
> -- 
> Peter

Thanks Peter.  I have tried the process with layers and layer masks that
you 
mention.  It is a lot of work.  Generally I try to solve the problem with 
graduated neutral density filters even though those puppies aren't exactly

cheap.  When I get the CS 3 upgrade I will give HDR another try.