How do I combine diff. exposures of a RAW file?

07/28/2006 10:23:19 PM · #26

Check out //www.hdrsoft.com for a downloadable trial version of Photomatix Pro; not all the functions are available in the trial version, but what IS available is exactly what you need to merge TIFF variations made off a RAW file, or jpgs for that matter, and there's no time limit on the trial version. It's really simple to use...

R.

07/28/2006 10:43:59 PM · #27

That worked Awesome. Thank you! It's not a great photo lol. just a quick snapshot to try this process but I'm psyched now to try it on a good photo. Thank you sooooooooo much.

here it is:

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/29/2006 12:33:53 AM · #28

Another neat technique that I've found useful is described in the DPChallenge tutorial "Improving Shadow and Highlight Detail" by timj351.

fatLouie

Nikon D70s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

07/29/2006 09:52:18 AM · #29

If you are using CS2's HDR, use tone mapping. It makes for the best results:

MichaelC

DJI Mini 3 Pro

07/29/2006 10:08:34 AM · #30

The easiest way I have found to do this stuff is using Dr. Browns Services - Mergamatic tool.

I saw it mentioned in a thread somewhere & tried it.IMHO it is a lot easier & effective than anything I can do manually.

07/29/2006 12:44:49 PM · #31

I didn't see how/where to use tone mapping in CS2. i'll check that out. Thanks.

07/29/2006 01:15:03 PM · #32

Originally posted by jaded_youth:

That worked Awesome. Thank you! It's not a great photo lol. just a quick snapshot to try this process but I'm psyched now to try it on a good photo. Thank you sooooooooo much.

here it is:

There ya go! A little levels adjustment or curves adjustment to make the image lighter overall and you're totally in business. Was this done with Photomatix Pro?

R.

07/29/2006 01:23:17 PM · #33

yes with photomatix pro. I did another but for some reason this second one has photomatix written all over it so i'm trying a third to see If it will do that again.

07/29/2006 01:28:12 PM · #34

If I'm not mistaken, all but the basic merge function in photomatix produce a watermarked result until you pay for the program. But the basic merge works very well and is free forever as far as i can see.

R.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/29/2006 01:31:45 PM · #35

oh ok. that explains it. probably because i changed a few funtions in tone mapping to see what it would do then didnt remmber the default settings. so I didnt get them back the right way.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

07/29/2006 01:33:56 PM · #36

OK this is how I do it ....

Slect the RAW image and load it into CS2 (Camera Rady) and decide on a set of values which provide a goo exposure for the darker areas. Usually foreground. Let Camera Raw do its stuff and open the file in CS2. Then save the PSD file as 'base1.psd' or something.

Then go back and select the same image again and open CS2 Camera Ready a second time. This time select a range of settings for the lighter areas. Continue to open the file again this time with the new exposure values.

Now in CS2 I have 2 images open.

So select the second image and 'Select All', 'Edit' 'Copy'
Paste this into the base1.psd as a new layer over the original.

Discard the second psd window.

Now I have 1 image with two layers, layer 1 is the darker image, layer 2 is the lighter. Apply a layer mask to the second layer and paint in black with a soft brush to blend the two layers together.

You can do this with as many layers and as many different setting as you need. I have used upto seven in one image.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/29/2006 01:43:34 PM · #37

Originally posted by Falc:

Thank you for such an in depth explination of what you do. I will give that a shot. you've explaine dit very well. don't think i'll have any real problems.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

07/29/2006 02:00:20 PM · #38

I have PS/CS not CS2. I use RawEssentials to do some tweaking and convert to TIFF. The do the Merging of two or more exposures in PS/CS. Is that a good thing to do are am I going about it wrong? Is so is there an HDR program that is fee that can be used with CS?

Thanks,
SDW