PhotoWalkPro

When it comes to creating HDR images, most folks know that Photomatix renders much better results than Photoshop when it comes to tonemapping.  So if that’s the case, why would anyone need to use Photoshop as part of the process?  The simple fact is that, while Photoshop is pretty lame when it comes to any post-HDR processing, its image alignment process stands head and shoulders above anyone else.  To prove this point, I took the same set of 3 bracketed images and created HDR files using Photomatix Pro 3.1 and Photoshop CS4.  I saved the images as OpenEXR files and then tonemapped the files using the same tonemapping settings in Photomatix Pro.

The file on the left was merged using Photomatix Pro and the image on the right using Photoshop.  This was a challenging image to merge because I did not use a tripod to shoot the bracketed exposures so there was some slight alignment shifts between the different exposures.  To really get an idea of how much better Photoshop’s alignment function really is, check out these enlargements from the above images.  All of the images depict Photomatix Pro on the left and Photoshop on the right.

You can click on all of the above images to see a larger view.  Another thing I noticed in doing this little test is that the file created with Photoshop has a little more faithful color rendition and better sharpness and detail.  Just imagine how much better it would be if I would use a tripod.

I received a comment on my past Single Image processing video from one of my subscribers.  He told me about a different method that he was using for processing single RAW images for HDR processing.  I gave it a try and it’s pretty darn cool.  So much so in fact that I made a tutorial to show you how it’s done.  Just like everything in Photoshop, there always seems to be a multitude of ways to get things done.  Enjoy.

Here’s the before and after for comparison

I had a little spare time this weekend so I ventured off to the deep dark recesses of my backyard with my video camera in tow so I could shoot a little tutorial.  I have spent a lot of time talking about processing HDR images but I’ve never really touched on one of the most important factors and that is capturing the necessary images for making the HDRs.  So today I present a short video on how I set up my camera when I am preparing to make HDRs.  I used a D300 but the settings should work with whichever dSLR you choose to use.  Enjoy!  And please,  no comments on how high my grass is. 

Here is the image that was created from the shots I took in the video.  The HDR file was created using Adobe Photoshop, the tonemapping was done with Photomatix Pro Ver. 3., and the image was then finished using ACR and Photoshop. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Yesterday I finished off my post with a couple of HDR images.  Today I want to run down exactly what I did to one of those images, post-tonemapping.  The image was tonemapped using Photomatix Pro 3.0.  For those that aren’t familiar with tonemapping, it is a process that is used to take a 32-bit High Dynamic Range image (which is not viewable on a standard monitor) and map the tones and colors back to a viewable 8 or 16-bit space.  Don’t worry, that’s about as technical as I am going to get here.  So just to refresh you memory, let’s take a look at the original image, straight out of the camera.

Now let’s have a look at the HDR tonemapped version.

As you can see, the tonemapped version is not ready for prime time viewing by any account.  Normally I would take the image into Photoshop and start my burning and color adjustments and other tweaks to get my final image.  This time I thought I would do all of my post-tonemapped processing in the new Lightroom 2.0 Beta.  There are some great new tools in the beta that really eliminate the need to take the image into Photoshop, most of the time.

So the first thing I did after importing was to move over to the Develop module.  From there I made overall adjustments to the image using the Basic panel.  The only adjustments I made were to the Exposure, Clarity, Vibrance, and Saturation (see panel below)

Then I moved down the panels to the Tone Curve panel.  I adjusted my Highlights, Lights and Darks to give me the level of contrast that I wanted.

These features are all available in the 1.x version of Lightroom but coming up are some tools that are only in the beta version. First, I used the Retouching tool to do some localized dodging and burning.  This is how dodging and burning should work in Photoshop.  This tool just flat out ROCKS!  Not only can you paint in the amount of dodging and burning that you want while changing the brush size, you can also increase or decrease the effect using the Amount sliders.  You can also add new dodging and burning points that are individually adjustable.  And just like everything else in Lightroom, you aren’t really applying the effect to the image, just a representation of your image so it’s never final until you export it.  Oh, and you can also see your painted on mask by hovering your mouse over each paint point.  So here is a look at my Dodge mask.

And here is my Burn mask.

After dodging and burning, I cropped the image.  The Crop tool is still unchanged but why mess with perfection?

Finally I added a vignette in the Vignettes panel.  Notice that it’s plural as in more than one.  This is another great change that has been added to 2.0.  One of my frustrations in working with the old version was the inability to add vignettes to images after they had been cropped.  Unless the crop was exactly in the middle of the image, the vignette was always off in one or more corners.  But not any longer.  Now you can vignette using the using the standard Lens Correction sliders found in ver. 1.x, or you can use the Post-Crop sliders which actually apply an even vignette to your cropped image. WooHoo!  It’s the little things, you know?

And there you have it.  All of the steps that it took for me to go from clowny to cool and it took a heck of a lot less time to do than it did for me to write about it.  Here is the final image that was posted yesterday.

If you have been thinking about downloading the beta but haven’t quite gotten around to pulling the trigger, do yourself a favor and head on over to Adobe Labs and grab yourself a copy while you can.  I believe that the 2.0 Beta will run through the end of August of this year which will give you plenty of time to explore all of the great new features.  Rumor has it that they might even sneak in a few more goodies into the finished product.  I’m just covered in photogeek goosebumps.

I received some questions and also felt the need to listen to myself talk so I recorded a follow-up video for my last HDR post. The article describes how to take the 32-Bit HDR file and process it down to a usable 16 or 8-Bit format while maintaining the tonal ranges that are achieved using the HDR photography method. The Photoshop method of processing tends to render a much more realistic view of a scene then other software that utilizes the tonemapping methods. So go ahead and sit back, relax, and enjoy the sultry tones of my voice as I guide you through the processing routine (you know I am kidding about the whole “sultry tones of my voice” thing, right?).

If you are having trouble viewing the embedded video, try clicking here to go straight to YouTube.

And here is a look at the image that I processed in the video. As you can see, it maintains a very wide tonal range, from the bright skies to the deep shade of the boulders along the creek bed, that I could never have captured in a single exposure. So next time you are out shooting with your tripod, go ahead and take some over and under-exposures and give the HDR thing a whirl. You never know until you try.