Thread: Matt's HDRs.

As I said, it isn't true HDR, but as you have seen, the results aren't too bad.

The program Paint.net is a free open source graphics program which will probably replace Windows Paint.

You can download it for free from here.
Paint.NET - Download

Then you need some of the free plugins that people have written for it.
They are available here.
Paint.NET • View forum - Plugins - Publishing Only

One of the ones you need is the Recover Shadow/Highlights plugin. It is part of this package.
Paint.NET • View topic - Tanel's Photo and Color Plugins (2008-12-24)

Basically all you need to do is use the Recover Shadow/Highlights plugin. You may need to fiddle a little bit with the tonal range too.

Originally Posted by discomuzz

Isn't it basically like adjusting stuff in Photoshop(e.g.)?

I agree, does have practical use though.

Yes it is, but this program is FREE, unlike Photoshop.

Originally Posted by vnx205

As I said, it isn't true HDR, but as you have seen, the results aren't too bad.

Cheers! I'll bare it in mind. At the moment I'm concentrating on PhotoMatix.

My ImageShack account is over limit so I can't upload stuff atm.

Originally Posted by vnx205

Yes it is, but this program is FREE, unlike Photoshop.

Depends who you know!

so in order to do a HDR you need at least 3 pics from bracketing i'm assuming so 1 norm 1 +1 and 1 -1 and then they all get put together before putting it into the photomatix program to do the tone condesor or the details enhancer? am I on the right lines here?

So I was wondering if this is the case is there a need to bracket could I just take my favorite image and copy 3 times each time saving it with and exposure compensation?
would that be good enough do you think

Yep. Spot on!

On the phone I take 3 images (-2, 0, +2).

On the D60 I take 5 images (-2, -1, 0, +1, +2) if the contrast of the scene can justify it or three images if not. But I always use steps of two for Exp. Comp. though.

In PhotoMatix, you can fiddle with settings 'till your heart's content.

I imagine you could simply manipulate one image and achieve HDR type stuff,
but that would be cheating.

It's worth remembering though that, one of the main requirements of top quality HDR images is the use of .RAW format images (16 bit Vs. 8 bit .jpg) as a source (hence H.D.R).

Manipulate and then save as 8 bit jpegs.

so I watched the video you put up......and getting all the images together on automate in photoshop I dont seem to be able to do, i'm assuming my photoshop is to old as I run PS 7

I didn't put-up any videos. But that's cool.

My Photoshop is pretty old and doesn't have the auto HDR function either.

You can, however, find YouTube stuff on the older system though (after you sift through the rubbish).

I just use what comes out of PhotoMatix at this stage (even has the PhotoMatix watermark). Not too worried about the fine tuned or arty side of things (a web site I use calls arty style photos "pharts") at the moment.