By Gavin Seim: Updated 01/02/10)
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is amazing. For many it’s unknown territory however and is often treated as a toy instead of a serious tool. People don’t understand how to deal with it so they mimic the easy to make but horrid looking HDR that has become the stigma. HDR and especially HDR portraits can be challenging, but It’s not rocket science. It just takes some time to get the hang of. Here’s a few tips that you can use for both HDR still life and portraits.
1. Getting the Concept: HDR is all about getting various exposures at different lightness levels and then combining them in a way that looks good. It’s not about showing all the light in a scene. It’s about gaining control over all the light in a scene. Like a bucket of light from the entire scene that you can use however you want. Now that’s cool.
2. Break out the tripod: While most HDR rendering software can attempt to line up images, you really want clear consistent frames because stability is key. If there’s no other option, you may have to hand hold and hope for the best. It can work, but a tripod is king and is always the safest route.
3. Use a cable release: This is a good rule with HDR portraits and stills alike. You want your images to be lined up as close as possible, so invest in the tools to keep your camera steady. A release allows you to avoid touching the camera. Good for sequences and long exposures. Besides that, it looks cool to stand there majestically and press the release button.
4. Auto Bracket: Most DSLR’s have an auto bracket function that allows you to have -2, 0 and +2 exposure compensation in one quick burst. AB allows you to expose things fast without handling the gear as much. In some cases you may want to manually get a wider exposure range, but I find that 3 images are usually all I need. Auto bracketing is not only convenient, it’s especially valuable with HDR portraits or moving subjects because you need to capture your sequence as fast as possible without having to manually change settings.
5. Think Simple: Every HDR image does no need an odd over edited fantasy look. That can work, but is often over used. HDR is all about control of light. If it’s really good, people may not even know it’s HDR, they’ll just know it looks amazing and that’s all that really matters. Newbies often think that just because it’s “HDR” it will be amazing. But rules of composition and beauty don’t change just because you make it HDR.
6. Use Layers? When editing HDR don’t be afraid to use the masking method. This involves taking exposures ( often including a rendered HDR) and loading them as aligned layers in Photoshop. You can then mask or erase (masking is better) parts of layers to reveal ones below. This is a powerful tool for controlling light the image because you decide what part of the images to use. For more on this method you can also check out the HDR podcast I recorded with Trey Ratcliff.
7. Don’t over edit: It’s the most common problem people have with HDR. To get the magic you need to edit properly. Don’t always go for that over the top look because people get sick of it really fast. Just because it’s HDR doesn’t mean you have to make it ugly or over edited. Just keep in mind what makes a great looking image and use HDR to make it even better. I usually start my HDR rendering in Photomatix. It’s certainly not the only method, but it is the most widely used. Photomatix does not generally give a finished product however. It a great pixel mixer, but I always head to LR and PS for final tweaks, actions and edits to get my final image.
Lastly, if you need Photomatix you can use our reader promo code PPS15 to save 15%. Also check our out HDR articles archive and for more details on the mechanics of HDR portraits, check out my article HDR Portraits, Fashion, and Wedding Photography.
You can see more HDR on my website. Have fun… Gavin
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DUDE!!!! Enough already! The plural of “photo” is “photos”. There is no apostrophe. Nice to finish elementary school.
Dan I’m sorry your offended by the apostrophe in photo’s. I don’t know exactly what the rule states and I doubt you do either. Either way I happen to like apostrophe on plural’s. The English language is full of things that are debated and confusing. Perhaps, if that makes you cranky you should learn another one.
I’m certain you could find many real typos if you feel like griping. Frankly I’d say you have way too much time on your hands, or maybe need a girlfriend. I however do not. In the spirit of life being to short therefore I’ll stop talking now and do more productive things
I do believe that someone was being a bit cranky.
The use of an apostrophe (as I recall) is either
to show possesion or a contraction.
Dan is not being overly offended. While the web is full of bad grammar, if you’re going to present yourself in a professional manner, being able to write well is expected.
Apostrophes are for forming contractions, such as “I’d rather be taking photos” and possessives, “Bob’s 5DII rocks.” Occasionally you will see apostrophes used to form possessives of uppercase acronyms, such as “PSD’s”, but I am fairly certain this is incorrect as well.
I’m not sure if most people ignore the bad grammar that’s out there or simply fail to notice it. Grammar is important because it conveys meaning. Reading an article with improper grammar and spelling makes it difficult to comprehend and does a disservice to your readers.
Just as you wouldn’t create a business site with a pink polka dot background and purple blinking text, if you’re going to write in a professional capacity, learn the basics.
I can’t seem to edit my post, but where I wrote “possessives of uppercase acronyms,” I meant “plurals of uppercase acronyms.”
Ok,
Lets be honest here, Dan, you are a prick!
You know…I would have to say, regardless of grammar…polite and respectful communication is of primary importantance. After all…language is for the purpose of communication! If an individual chooses to take offense at something that has nothing to do with him…that is his problem…it is a shame that he missed the point of this site and the generous information offered here. It leaves me wondering just how far such an individual has progressed since elementary school(since that is the measure he chose to use)…emotionally, I’d say not much further than grade five.
Gavin, thank you so much for sharing what you have learned…there are those of us out here who are not so arrogant as to throw away the jewels you offer because we “think” that we might discern a tiny flaw in the packaging! Content is everything…I for one and fascinated by HDR photography…I have only been limited thus far due to budget constraints that have kept me from purchasing really good HDR capable editing software. I will be keeping my eyes open for any further tips you might choose to share! Thanks again!
Gavin, thanks for the post and very informative website.
I’m disappointed to see many visitors to your blog getting so derailed by grammatical pedantry that they forget to comment on the content and all the effort you put in developing and maintaining the site. Come on guys….
Did I have anything to learn from this? Yes, I did. so, to hell with a stupid grammar error that should be ignored. Great job and thank you Gavin for taking the time to share this.
yeah this is some great advice and fantastic photographs and I love that some loser has taken the time out of their day to fault your grammer, because they obviously cannot fault your photography
Go Gavin , the subject of HDR looms as very interesting to me . I am looking forward to hearing more from you , and also when I do get started on HDR , I may pester you . But , it will not be because of an apostrophe . Thumbs up for you Gavin. !!!!!!!!Help yourself to these DAN , i think it was he . Cannot be bothered checking.
Thanks for the English lesson guys, but I really just wanted to learn about HDR photography. For the record though Dan is a prick but I also find the incorrect use of the apostrophe slightly frustrating. All the best everyone, and cheer up!
While some may look at over editing HDRs as improper, it is a preference to some. Just keep in mind you need not bias your article. We all warm up to different styles. Just my $0.02
It’s not so much that it’s improper. Most just think it looks bad, usually because it’s poorly done. Heavy HDR editing can be used well, but usually isn’t. Usually it’s a result of someone who does not know how to edit it right. That’s always the wrong approach.
To be really good at something one always needs to learn to do it in a balanced fashion. Once they know they can ride the edge a bit. I’ve seen heavily edited HDR that was cool. It’s often just the easy way though and people are tired of it. A well balanced HDR is usually much harder to edit than an over edited one.
Being edgy is cool until everyone is doing it. Then it’s just boring and usually annoying.
Gavin
The one thing that the whole HDR process has brought to my photography is improved composition. After visualizing the image, setting up my tripod and composing the scene in the viewfinder, I certainly find I take more time making sure everything is just right before I actually push the shutter release.
Your tips are well conceived. Thanks.
Thank you for posting this Gavin. All good points.
Any chance you can do a video tutorial on mask or erase (masking is better) parts of layers to reveal ones below?
This would be something I would be interested in learning…
As a complete newcomer to HDR photography, this has been a helpful and informative read.
Though I don’t wish to prolong or inflame the grammar argument, I am inclined to offer some support for Dan. I think he made a bad choice by framing his observation as a personal insult but, Gavin, as the author of the article, should know better than to sling mud in return. Attempting to justify himself by implying that Dan is small minded, petty and in need of sexual satisfaction for caring about grammar is childish, as is pretending that he likes using incorrect grammar as a matter of choice. Apart from anything else, to some people, Gavin’s obsession with photography and disdain for over-processing will certainly look every bit as much a pursuit for a sexually frustrated geek.
Unfortunately, writing articles for the public means opening yourself to criticism, and trading personal insults with someone who has criticised your article – even if they’ve been rude – just lowers you to the same level.