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 01/29/2016 07:39:06 PM · #1
So does this challenge require the use of more than one photo with different exposures? Or can we just make one photo work for this challenge? Sorry my HDR knowledge is a little week.

Thanks!
 01/29/2016 08:20:27 PM · #2
My understanding of HDR is that yes, more than one exposure is required. Your camera may have a built-in HDR feature which will do the work for you, otherwise you can do it in post (at least in PS CS5). Hope this answers your question and if not, then Bear_Music, who is both an SC member and a fan of HDR, can help you out :-)
 01/29/2016 08:29:04 PM · #3
I am not an SC Member but this is what I understand HDR to mean:

HDR stands for high dynamic range, and it essentially takes a series of images, each shot with a different exposure from darkest to lightest. HDR combines the best parts of the three overexposed, underexposed, and balanced shots to create a dramatic image with beautiful shadowing and highlights.
 01/29/2016 08:31:25 PM · #4
HDR = High Dynanic Range, which is another way of saying you are able to display a final image with a greater range of tonal values that it was possible to capture in a single exposure with the original media (film or sensor).

However, if you can make your final image look like it is HDR then there is nothing in the rules which requires combining multiple exposures, and the (not binding) description only refers generically to "techniques" -- I say go for it. You may not get the votes you want (who does?), but you are not at risk for disqualification (at least on that basis).

AFAIK, all of Ansel Adams' prints -- arguably one of the pioneers of "HDR" reproduction -- were derived from a single exposure.

Message edited by author 2016-01-29 20:32:30.
 01/29/2016 08:31:45 PM · #5
You can also probably use the HDR setting on your camera (my phone has one, my point and shoot has one) or you can use software which emulates HDR on a single exposure.

Hopefully those with better knowledge of rules and such can chime in on the legality of the above solutions!
 01/29/2016 08:36:38 PM · #6
The contest rules don't say if multiple exposures have to be done or if the HDR can be emulated on a single exposure via software, maybe the rules should be clarified a bit so there isn't any misunderstanding like there was in the abstract panorama challenge.
 01/29/2016 08:40:11 PM · #7
Originally posted by WonderDude:
So does this challenge require the use of more than one photo with different exposures? Or can we just make one photo work for this challenge? Sorry my HDR knowledge is a little week.

Thanks!


You can do it with 1 image.
 01/29/2016 09:03:44 PM · #8
Lightroom 6 / CC (I can't vouch for other/earlier versions.)

Create an HDR Image
HDR From a Single Image

I've always found three bracketed images to be adequate, but I know some people use 5, 7, 9 or more images for their HDR blending. 3 images used in the following.

It can be effective to take one image and create an underexposure and overexposure.

Once you have an acceptable image, then I recommend Silver Efex Pro 2.
 01/29/2016 09:03:56 PM · #9
Originally posted by gipper11:
The contest rules don't say if multiple exposures have to be done or if the HDR can be emulated on a single exposure via software, maybe the rules should be clarified a bit so there isn't any misunderstanding like there was in the abstract panorama challenge.


The rules for the image are pretty clear. The question is whether HDR requires 3 exposures or one. The answer is that HDR can be achieved a number of ways, and does not require special software.

A single image can be copied and lightened/darkened, then combined manually, using masks to take out/leave in the optimal exposures. It's more work than specialized software but easy to do.

As the challenge description does not have a requirement for the number of images used, you can use any number of images you want.
 01/29/2016 09:32:12 PM · #10
Originally posted by tanguera:
As the challenge description does not have a requirement for the number of images used, you can use any number of images you want.

Bear in mind that Advanced Editing rules specify 10 or fewer images for HDR or focus stacking...

Regarding what several have asked, you DEFINITELY can produce HDR images from a single exposure in various ways.
 01/29/2016 09:37:38 PM · #11
Technically all you have to do is have a black and white photograph and mess with the levels and you can come up with what looks like a HDR photograph, is that the challenge?
 01/29/2016 09:49:29 PM · #12
Originally posted by gipper11:
Technically all you have to do is have a black and white photograph and mess with the levels and you can come up with what looks like a HDR photograph, is that the challenge?

Like any other challenge, it's "worth" whatever effort you put into it. If that would satisfy you, go for it; if not, do "true" HDR. It's nothing to fuss over, that's for sure. People will do what they do, and gawd bless 'em all :-)
 01/29/2016 10:27:54 PM · #13
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by gipper11:
Technically all you have to do is have a black and white photograph and mess with the levels and you can come up with what looks like a HDR photograph, is that the challenge?

Like any other challenge, it's "worth" whatever effort you put into it. If that would satisfy you, go for it; if not, do "true" HDR. It's nothing to fuss over, that's for sure. People will do what they do, and gawd bless 'em all :-)


Ain't that the truth :)
 01/29/2016 10:31:59 PM · #14
Use HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniques to create the perfect, rich B/W image. Note that as far as this challenge is concerned, Sepia, Selenium, and other classic toning should be considered part of "B/W".

The above rules says to "use HDR techniques to create the perfect....

You have to have more than 1 exposure to accomplish this, I disagree that you can simply take one exposure and over and under expose it in a software program and come up with the perfect HDR using HDR techniques.

That is all I have to say about it other than saying the rules are pretty clear and vague at the same time if you want to make them say something more than they are.
01/29/2016 10:41:29 PM · #15
Originally posted by gipper11:
Use HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniques to create the perfect, rich B/W image. Note that as far as this challenge is concerned, Sepia, Selenium, and other classic toning should be considered part of "B/W".

The above rules says to "use HDR techniques to create the perfect....

You have to have more than 1 exposure to accomplish this, I disagree that you can simply take one exposure and over and under expose it in a software program and come up with the perfect HDR using HDR techniques.

That is all I have to say about it other than saying the rules are pretty clear and vague at the same time if you want to make them say something more than they are.


Actually, if you shoot RAW you can take one exposure and create three copies of it. One at the exposure you shot it at, one with -1 stop of exposure and one with +1 stop of exposure and combine those three. I highly doubt anyone will be able to tell the difference from that or one where you shot three separate exposures. Even easier is to take one exposure into an HDR program and tone map it, which basically automates what I just outlined. There are multiple HDR techniques and not all require more then one exposure, so saying that you have to have more then one is true.
 01/29/2016 10:58:54 PM · #16
Originally posted by gipper11:
Use HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniques to create the perfect, rich B/W image. Note that as far as this challenge is concerned, Sepia, Selenium, and other classic toning should be considered part of "B/W".

The above rules says to "use HDR techniques to create the perfect....

You have to have more than 1 exposure to accomplish this, I disagree that you can simply take one exposure and over and under expose it in a software program and come up with the perfect HDR using HDR techniques.

That is all I have to say about it other than saying the rules are pretty clear and vague at the same time if you want to make them say something more than they are.

Challenge Descriptions are not "rules" as far as whether or not an image is "legal" -- they are more suggestions as to the type of image which is expected. You are free to follow those suggestions or not, but as long as you follow the stated rule set as detailed on the appropriate rules page (Advanced Editing in this case) the image will be considered valid.
 01/29/2016 11:11:43 PM · #17
Thanks for that bit of information GenerE, I thought they were the contest rules, this clears everything up for me.
01/29/2016 11:17:51 PM · #18
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by gipper11:
Use HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniques to create the perfect, rich B/W image. Note that as far as this challenge is concerned, Sepia, Selenium, and other classic toning should be considered part of "B/W".

The above rules says to "use HDR techniques to create the perfect....

You have to have more than 1 exposure to accomplish this, I disagree that you can simply take one exposure and over and under expose it in a software program and come up with the perfect HDR using HDR techniques.

That is all I have to say about it other than saying the rules are pretty clear and vague at the same time if you want to make them say something more than they are.


Challenge Descriptions are not "rules" as far as whether or not an image is "legal" -- they are more suggestions as to the type of image which is expected. You are free to follow those suggestions or not, but as long as you follow the stated rule set as detailed on the appropriate rules page (Advanced Editing in this case) the image will be considered valid.


Good catch, Paul.

Larry, I think there is your confusion. How you achieve an image for a challenge is largely irrelevant, as long as it adheres to the editing rule set. The challenge description is a guide (of sorts) to the challenge theme. There are many DPCers who would rather have NOT challenge description in order to provide a more flexible interpretation

As for whether the voters will love/hate your effort is a separate matter altogether :)
 01/29/2016 11:38:58 PM · #19
Originally posted by gipper11:
Thanks for that bit of information GenerE, I thought they were the contest rules, this clears everything up for me.

Oh, thank goodness! I think we regulars tend to forget how that's not an obvious point... So you know where we're coming from now, eh?
 01/29/2016 11:43:14 PM · #20
Yes I do, I bet you go through this with all the new people :-)
 01/30/2016 05:57:53 AM · #21
Thanks everyone for your input! :-)
 01/30/2016 06:54:38 AM · #22
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Challenge Descriptions are not "rules" as far as whether or not an image is "legal" -- they are more suggestions as to the type of image which is expected. You are free to follow those suggestions or not, but as long as you follow the stated rule set as detailed on the appropriate rules page (Advanced Editing in this case) the image will be considered valid.


Which is one of the more consistently frustrating (albeit understandable) things about this site. From panoramas that are simply wide crops to HDR photos that are really just single shot edits (I'm sorry but while I realize I can take a single shot from my D800 and create +/- 1 thru 5 images and combine them in an HDR program of choice that's simply only exploiting the dynamic range of the camera and NOT "high dynamic range photography"), doing well in challenges is really just about shooting appealing images that play well with the voters and not necessarily exploiting the techniques outlined in the challenge description (you still need to take a good photograph - the "how" just doesn't matter as much as it should). The more you remember that the easier it is to participate sometimes. I long for special rules when the challenge topic suggests specific techniques, but people toiling in hell long for ice water, so I consider myself lucky.

Not a rant, btw, I'm simply sharing
 01/30/2016 08:43:04 AM · #23
Originally posted by backdoorhippie:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Challenge Descriptions are not "rules" as far as whether or not an image is "legal" -- they are more suggestions as to the type of image which is expected. You are free to follow those suggestions or not, but as long as you follow the stated rule set as detailed on the appropriate rules page (Advanced Editing in this case) the image will be considered valid.


Which is one of the more consistently frustrating (albeit understandable) things about this site. From panoramas that are simply wide crops to HDR photos that are really just single shot edits (I'm sorry but while I realize I can take a single shot from my D800 and create +/- 1 thru 5 images and combine them in an HDR program of choice that's simply only exploiting the dynamic range of the camera and NOT "high dynamic range photography"), doing well in challenges is really just about shooting appealing images that play well with the voters and not necessarily exploiting the techniques outlined in the challenge description (you still need to take a good photograph - the "how" just doesn't matter as much as it should). The more you remember that the easier it is to participate sometimes. I long for special rules when the challenge topic suggests specific techniques, but people toiling in hell long for ice water, so I consider myself lucky.

Not a rant, btw, I'm simply sharing


Here's my thought, Jake. I think you would like a challenge topic specific enough that everyone would be using the same techniques, & scoring would be technical only, on how each one met the challenge. Kind of like grading homework. Each person would be competing primarily against self, secondarily against others.

As I see it, the trouble with this idea is that voters only get to see the final result, making it impossible to score on how well the photographer used the technique to get there. Nobody gets to see the original scene but the photographer who was there. And the expertise of the voter varies. And the voter is also more likely to be a fellow competitor competitor than a qualified expert.

In the end, the voter best qualified to score the result under these rules is the photographer who got the shot. And the photographer builds expertise by entering challenges.

So...as I see it, the best challenges allow each photographer to explore & discover the process in their own individual way. And scoring all the other entries gives everyone another opportunity to build their skills by critically viewing other results (it's easier to be critical of someone else's end result).

In other words, the way we do it now cannot be improved upon.
 01/30/2016 09:13:16 AM · #24
Originally posted by gipper11:
Yes I do, I bet you go through this with all the new people :-)


Not really no ;)
01/30/2016 09:18:01 AM · #25
Not really no ;)

That makes me feel like an outcast ;-(
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