Pro Photo Show » HDR Photography

Nasty Photo Tips. The Flickr HDR:

Gavin Seim — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:18:15 +0000

by Gavin Seim: Most of us need a little therapy now and then. I decided it was time to stop the grueling labor and have some fun so I made this little video for the Seim Effects site. You’ll get something from this video. A laugh, a cringe or at least a little Déjà vu. If you visit the post on Seim Effects you can even download the ugly presets for free. Enjoy.

Watch on YouTube.

Our Central WA HDR Workshop Results.

Gavin Seim — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:27:36 +0000

by Gavin Seim: I just hosted the first “Incredible HDR” (high dynamic range) photo workshop in Central Washington. It was an intimate three day class of six, with attendees from as far as London, so we had plenty of one on one time. The images they made were amazing. I’m really proud of the students and the creative results they produced during the workshop. We covered everything from how to capture HDR portraits, to final edits, controlling light and presentation.

I believe one of the most important parts of good HDR is knowing how to edit it. There’s a lot of really ugly HDR because photographers don’t understand what their dealing with and how to make something magical from it. Going further however I want to remind those playing with HDR that the rules of photography do not go away because a photo is HDR. Interesting subject matter, composition and attention to detail are all very important factors in a great image. The students at this workshop were from varied experience levels but I think every one of them got it and took home something valuable.

I’ll post a few images from students below as well as a few of my own I took during excursions. It seems every time I teach something, I learn something new myself. If you’re interested in learning more about my HDR workshops you can find info here on Seim Effects.

Controlling Tone & Dynamic Range with Lightroom: VIDEO

Gavin Seim — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:53:52 +0000

by Gavin Seim: It’s amazing how much information is in files coming from today’s cameras. I do a lot of HDR photography, but I’ve also been working to bring out dynamic range on single files. I can actually pull out more tones using LR than I can in Photoshop.

Today I recorded a quick video to look at brushes masking and Luminance tools to control tones. There’s an HQ download version on Seim Effects. I’ll also be speaking on LR at the PPW Fall Conference so if you’re in the region stop by. Why am I still typing? The video explains it all.

The LIVE online Lightroom Workshop with Gavin Seim.

Pro Photography Podcast #57. Photography & HDR with Trey Ratcliff:

Gavin Seim — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:41:49 +0000

Click To Listen>> Photography Podcast. PPS #57
Vote in iTunes, or Vote on Podcast Alley

Times Square At Dusk

On Todays Show: Gavin Seim – Trey Ratcliff. This week I talk about attending workshops, the new Pocket Wizards and join HDR legend Trey Ratcliff for a great talk about the world of photography and HDR.

Podcast #57 forum discussion:

Notes, links and bargains:

Photomatix Pro from HDR Soft. Save 15% with code PPS15
Digital Wakeup Call. Discount with promo code: ZGSDWC09
Seim Effects Spring Sale. Discount with promo code: SPRING

Bad experience with new Pocket Wizzards Flex TT1 and TT5.

Looking at Radio Poppers.

Tri Coast Photography did tests in both of them. A great video review.

Thinking about going to Wall portrait Conference with Ken Whitmore

Gavin’s HDR workshop 2009 in WA.

Fourth on Lake Austin

Trey’s Stuck In Customs site.

The legendary HDR article on Treys site

Trey’s image portfolio. Really cool.

Trey on Flickr.

@treyratcliff on twitter

The Icy Pit To Hell. See this big.

Did I miss any links?

HDR Photography Tip: Getting That Bold, Beautiful Look

Gavin Seim — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:11:49 +0000

by Gavin Seim: A problem people often have with HDR pictures, is getting a bold but balanced look. Often their images end up too flat, too fake, or too fancy and the entire goal (which is a vivid High Dynamic Range image) is lost. Here’s a few tips that apply to HDR nature as well as HDR portrait images on how I get a bold but not overkill look.

Below I’ve combined two – three image sets as HDR’s in Photomatix, but I’m just getting started. To bring it out, I need to mold them a bit and coax out the details I need.

1. Getting Tonemapped:
Start by combining your bracketed exposures. Bring out as much detail as you can using the Tonemapping features of your program. I find that the built in tools for doing this in Photoshop are seriously lacking.

There’s various other software options, but I’ve had the best results from Photomatix Pro (we’ve worked out a deal with them people. You can save 15% with promo code PPS15) Play with your settings, and make sure you adjust the “Light Smoothing” to look good with the image your making. Now save it. Render out the Tonemapped image and save it. I find 16 bit TIFF will give you the most to work with for the next step.

After I tweak the Tonemap settings in Photomatix, things start looking up. Now it’s time for the details

2. Editing Time:
Just because PS does not combine and Tonemap images well, does not mean we don’t need it. Once you’re done rendering the plain HDR it needs tweaking to make it POP. Now is the time to take the image in Photoshop (or another editor) and finish the magic. For the most part this means using basic tools.

Start with basics like Burn and Dodge. Remember just because it’s HDR does not mean everything should be bright and evenly exposed. This causes flatness. Shadows in the right places ad dimension and mood. Use B&D to lighten and darken areas till you have the perfect look. See this video about using Burn & Dodge. Then keep working with things like like curves and levels. Get the amount of contrast and boldness you need.

3. Just a little bit more:
Now that you’ve brought out the primary tones, add some finishing touches. At this point it’s OK to reduce your image to 8bit if it’s a 16 bit. Not only will this reduce file size and speed things up, it will make the image more compatible for the final version. Since you’ve already brought out the primary shadow and highlight you need, you’ll still maintain that look when you go 8bit. Just hang on to originals in case you ever need to backtrack (a golden rule for any photographer)

4: Fit n Finish:
At this point you could stop, but often that final magic comes from a little more work. Add some other effects if the shot needs it. Boost colors, play with your curves one last time. I often run a few of my actions to get that final look. The effects you use on your everyday images can also work wonders for your HDR.

If you’ve followed the other steps correctly you should just about have your masterpiece Last but not least I’ll sharpen or run a sharpening action. All this rendering sometimes makes an image that’s not quite the majestic view you saw when you clicked. .

Now go try it yourself. When you’re done you can submit your shot to the new Amazing HDR group on Flickr. You can see more of my HDR at seimphotography.com. Have fun, Gavin

Sunset Windmills: My finished product for today. These are fairly mild mannered HDR’s. Variety is good, but remember that balance is king.

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Make things happen. Try Creative Essentials actions:

The HDR Portraits & Weddings Project

Gavin Seim — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:15:54 +0000

Check Out My HDR Portraits Gallery:

Those of you who follow my work, know that I love HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography. I’m especially fond of pushing the limits, with HDR portrait, wedding and other non standard uses. I started experimenting with HDR people shots in 2007. I also use it for nearly all of my nature work.

I have a bunch of favorites, and have finally compiled them onto one page on the Seim Photography site. If you’re intersted in HDR stop by and maybe you’ll get some ideas. I know I’m not the only one shooting HDR however. If you know of other great HDR, share them in the comments... Gavin Seim