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 09/07/2009 12:18:11 AM · #1
Argh. To do HDR in elements, you have to do it by hand with masking and stuff. I've downloaded one free HDR software, and it was lousy. Does anyone know of any good, free HDR programs?
 09/07/2009 12:27:33 AM · #2
previous HDR challenge
 09/07/2009 01:06:32 AM · #3
HDR 1 allowed multiple captures as is needed for true HDR. As there is no mention this time I assume we have to do it with a single capture?
 09/07/2009 01:08:21 AM · #4
Originally posted by MichaelC:
HDR 1 allowed multiple captures as is needed for true HDR. As there is no mention this time I assume we have to do it with a single capture?


From the Advanced Editing Ruleset:

create your entry from 1-10 captures of a single scene (defined as a scene whose composition/framing does not change). All captures used must be shot within the challenge submission dates.
 09/07/2009 01:15:38 AM · #5
You can do HDR images in all advanced edit challenges if you wish. This challenge however is specific. It must be HDR or you will hear it from the DNMC Committee.
 09/07/2009 02:33:11 AM · #6
You might be interested in this HDR Pictures as a very good source of inspiration (and frustration ...)
 09/07/2009 02:34:12 AM · #7
Originally posted by vawendy:
Argh. To do HDR in elements, you have to do it by hand with masking and stuff. I've downloaded one free HDR software, and it was lousy. Does anyone know of any good, free HDR programs?


Photomatix by HDRSoft it isn't free and its well worth the price.

I made these two with it as my first attempts (not that they are particularly good the sky was pure blue dang it - and to be strict I used the exposure merge feature rather than true HDR). All you do is tell the photomatix what pictures to merge, it aligns and automatically guess the right parameters (but you can still adjust by hand if necessary).

East
West

Message edited by author 2009-09-07 02:49:01.
 09/07/2009 02:45:40 AM · #8
Originally posted by androgeus:
You might be interested in this HDR Pictures as a very good source of inspiration (and frustration ...)


sigh, that's a bit de-motivational
 09/07/2009 03:24:40 AM · #9
I just did a search and came up with this tutorial which has some good pointers on HDR with CS2...

ETA: I am on my way out now to take some practice shots and see what I can muster up, If I get something worth the effort I will go for the HDR image later in the week. This is a personal challenge for me because I nearly earned the brown ribbon in the first HDR challenge.

Message edited by author 2009-09-07 03:41:16.
 09/07/2009 05:47:24 AM · #10
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
This is a personal challenge for me because I nearly earned the brown ribbon in the first HDR challenge.


Hmmmm.... quite ... I see. I agree with some of the commentors its a good photo but not obviously HDR even though it is. Puts a bit of a damper on my plans for a night shoot too. Oh well suppose we'd better just conform and do the classic cumulus cloud shot :-/
 09/07/2009 07:09:54 AM · #11
I've used this which is officially not free, but I've been using the trial verison for a couple of years now without a problem. It does add some tiny text to the bottom of your pics, but you can easily crop that out.
 09/07/2009 10:19:10 AM · #12
Originally posted by androgeus:
You might be interested in this HDR Pictures as a very good source of inspiration (and frustration ...)


I think Im going to cry in frustration now! I wish I could do work like that..
 09/07/2009 10:53:14 AM · #13
forgive me for my lack of knowledge on the forums but this was orriginally posted by vawendy

Argh. To do HDR in elements, you have to do it by hand with masking and stuff. I've downloaded one free HDR software, and it was lousy. Does anyone know of any good, free HDR programs?

And yes i have a very very good free program its called:

Qtpfsgui

its free it works all the time it only needs one image or more to turn it into HDR and it had no lettering or watermarks on it

Message edited by author 2009-09-07 14:09:01.
 09/07/2009 10:55:00 AM · #14
Originally posted by ineedauniquename:
....its a good photo but not obviously HDR even though it is.


I am hoping that voters dont DNMC shots that arent obvious HDR shots. I much prefer HDR shots that are edited subtly, so as to not "look like HDR".
 09/07/2009 02:05:44 PM · #15
//www.stuckincustoms.com/

This blog has a nice variety of HDR shots along with other cool info.
 09/07/2009 02:14:05 PM · #16
By looking at the previous challenge, I presume the voting crowd wants those cartoonish pictures, merged by a program like photomatix. I quite like manual exposure blending, because if executed carefully, one can produce natural looking shots as witnessed by the human eye. Am I correct in saying that natural looking HDR shots would get voted down?
 09/07/2009 04:57:27 PM · #17
Originally posted by prperold:
By looking at the previous challenge, I presume the voting crowd wants those cartoonish pictures, merged by a program like photomatix. I quite like manual exposure blending, because if executed carefully, one can produce natural looking shots as witnessed by the human eye. Am I correct in saying that natural looking HDR shots would get voted down?


I truly believe this will depend on each individual voter. I myself prefer only enough tone mapping or blending to bring out the details my naked eye saw, yet the digital image lacks without processing. I don't care for the cartoon-ish images so much. So when I vote I will score higher on the images that come across as life-like. Other voters like the cartoon type images and will score them higher. I would recommend you shoot what you like so that no matter what it scores, you have a shot yo are proud of and can hang on your wall.

For those who like me do not have Photomatix Pro or other HDR software, if you have PS CS4 you can always use the highlights/shadow adjustment to come darn close.
 09/07/2009 05:22:32 PM · #18
Originally posted by ShutterPug:
Originally posted by prperold:
By looking at the previous challenge, I presume the voting crowd wants those cartoonish pictures, merged by a program like photomatix. I quite like manual exposure blending, because if executed carefully, one can produce natural looking shots as witnessed by the human eye. Am I correct in saying that natural looking HDR shots would get voted down?


I truly believe this will depend on each individual voter. I myself prefer only enough tone mapping or blending to bring out the details my naked eye saw, yet the digital image lacks without processing. I don't care for the cartoon-ish images so much. So when I vote I will score higher on the images that come across as life-like. Other voters like the cartoon type images and will score them higher. I would recommend you shoot what you like so that no matter what it scores, you have a shot yo are proud of and can hang on your wall.

For those who like me do not have Photomatix Pro or other HDR software, if you have PS CS4 you can always use the highlights/shadow adjustment to come darn close.


My feeling is that the majority of the voters would think HDR is only the cartoonish style shots, and would think natural looking blended shots do not meet the challenge discription. I am getting hammered in the current challenges, so I want to make an attempt at pleasing the masses. So I think a great shot is needed, but it needs to look like it has been processed (which is what I normally try to avoid).
 09/07/2009 05:27:04 PM · #19
Why in gods green earth would you cheapen yourself to do something you would normally avoid to please the masses?
 09/07/2009 05:28:48 PM · #20
Originally posted by alans_world:
Why in gods green earth would you cheapen yourself to do something you would normally avoid to please the masses?

Ribbons perhaps?
 09/07/2009 05:33:56 PM · #21
Originally posted by alans_world:
Why in gods green earth would you cheapen yourself to do something you would normally avoid to please the masses?


DPC is not a site where I showcase my portfolio. For me part of the challenge is trying to please the masses, and exploring different aspects of photography which I would normally not touch. The challenge is HDR in this instance, or rather, the majority of the voters' perception of what HDR is. And frankly, with my Waldo entry averaging 3.6 at the moment, I feel I have to make an attempt at pleasing the masses, at least for the sake of my dignity :)
 09/07/2009 05:50:11 PM · #22
To each there own :), I would not do any of that , for the sake of my dignity. To thine own self be true, and all that. Not knocking you, just bothered that DPC needs everything in a nice clean pigeon hole.
 09/07/2009 06:53:09 PM · #23
If I enter - and if because I do not get out much during lately (combination of the back problem and my fear of going outside when yellow jackets are out)....I will shoot to please myself first. If by chance DPC likes what I have done and feels it meets the HDR challenge then that'll be an extra bonus. I have shot to please the masses before, only to find it didn't please them as well as I thought it would, and now I am stuck with images in my challenges history that I hate looking at.
 09/07/2009 07:02:11 PM · #24
The first HDR challenge was when Photomatix had only been on the market for a short time. No one had really seen too many HDR attempts and far fewer had attempted using the software on their own. There was a lot of leeway and extra high scores given I think because it was so new and presented an effect not seen before. In voting since, there has been some backlash to the early heavy tonemapping fad, so my advice would be to put something together that is simply an interesting image with full dynamic range and you should do well.
 09/07/2009 07:02:55 PM · #25
Gaaaah! Just looked at previous HDR challenge and what's needed to do well. Seeing that I don't have a full-frame camera (yet) or live in Iceland, fugedaboudit.
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