How to create HDR Photos - HDR/Photomatix tutorial
There has been a lot of buzz recently about HDR photography, but many people assume that it's only limited to professional photographers. The reality is that just about anyone can take and process an HDR photo with most cameras and proper HDR software.
There are plenty of explanations of what HDR is and how it works, so we won't cover that here. If you want more background info, check out HDR explained so anyone can understand or Jon Meyer's popular HDR primer.
In this tutorial we'll go through the steps necessary to take your very own HDR photo and process it like a pro. What you will need:
- A camera that allows you to adjust exposure settings.
- Tone Mapping Software (In this tutorial we will use Photomatix, which is the most popular way to create HDR's.)
Step 1: Taking the photo(s)
TITLE: Quick and Easy steps to take HDR Photos with any camera
To create an HDR photo you need at least 3 differently exposed photos of the same shot. That's not as difficult as it sounds. Many cameras give you the ability to change exposures from shot to shot. Since all cameras are different you'll have to figure out how to change these exposure settings on your particular camera. Look for Exposure, AEB (Automatic Exposure Bracketing), A-EV, BKT (more on that here and here), or a little +/- graphic.
Important: Make sure the camera does not move between shots. Use a tripod or place the camera on a stable surface, minimizing movement as much as possible between shots. Below is an example of how this works using my girlfriend's simple point and shoot camera - the Sony DSC-W50. If you click on the +/- button you will see a way to adjust the Image brightness (EV) level for your picture.
1. Take one picture at EV 0
2. (press the shutter halfway to clear the preview), press the +/- button again and move the cursor down to EV -2. Take a picture.
3. (press the shutter halfway to clear the preview), press the +/- button again and move the cursor up to EV +2. Take a picture.
I usually take 3 shots each spaced 2 EV exposure values apart - one at EV -2, one at EV 0 (which is the most correctly exposed photo), and one at EV +2. Here is an example of 3 shots I recently took:
The first is exposed just right (0), the second too dark (-2), and the third exposed too light (+2).
Step 2: Generating and Tone Mapping the HDR
For this step you will need Photomatix Pro. While it's possible to do this with Photoshop CS2/CS3 or other HDR software, Photomatix is a much better tool - it gives you better results and is much easier to use. You can download a free trial of Photomatix Pro which will leave a watermark on your picture, or you can buy it for $99.
Note: You can use Photomatix Coupon Code VPG8 to get an 8% discount..
Open Photomatix Pro and click on "Generate HDR image."
Click "Browse..." and select the 3 photos you took in step 1 (by clicking each one while holding down CTRL on a PC or Command on a Mac). Once you have the 3 photos highlighted, click "Open" then click "OK." Now you will see a set of options.
Keep Align source images checked. I also usually leave the "Attempt to reduce ghosting artifacts" option checked as well. If you have moving water in your shot, change the option to ("Background movements", otherwise leave "Moving objects/people) selected. Click OK. After a few seconds of processing you will see something like this.
It will usually look too dark - don't worry. The next step is where the magic happens. Click on "Tone Mapping". You will see Tone Map Settings panel and a preview of your HDR photo.
The settings toward the top will have the most impact on your photo. Adjust Strength and Light Smoothing settings to get your preferred "HDR effect."
Feel free to experiment with the rest of the tabs, controls, and settings to get your desired results. Some people prefer a saturated surreal look, while others like to keep the photo looking more realistic and natural. After you are happy with what the photo looks like, click "Process." Once Photomatix is done processing, it will show you the resulting HDR. Click "File" > "Save As..." and save your photo as a JPEG. Voila! You now have your very own HDR photo.
For some inspiration, check out the following:
If you want to share some of your own HDR's, submit them to (the soon to be launching) Dynamic HDR's Photo Gallery or join the Flickr HDR Photo Pool.
Author: Markus Urban | If you want to write an article and have it published here send it via email to abduzeedo[at]abduzeedo.com
Never tried this method
I've written a tutorial on how to create a similar effect using just Photoshop. You can find it at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/b.harbison1/hdr/
Thanks for looking.
Hello :) Sorry I already posted in PSDTuts my problem ...
I have a big issue on your tut step 6 : my Stroke Path is plain WHITE (the foreground color in the example), I don't have this kind of overlay color mode ....
I have to choose afterwards the overlay color mode for the dude layer and duplicate it to get something OK, but not as good as your render ...
YES I do have the color burn set for the dual brush, and I checked 10 times ALL the steps, so ... what do I do wrong ?
Thx to help me, by giving maybe more details ...
i really love this site, it`s been reaaly helpfull the tuts and the info are simply superb, if possible i wuold like to see a tutorial to create water splashes, similar to the explosion one but instead of particules, water
tnx for sharin this wonderfull site
Thank you for this tutorial. Amazing!
Wow that's amazing!!
I have a canon powershot a620... anyone know if this one can be used for hdr photo?
Nice tutorial you have, great details for newbie like me by giving step by step.
good tutorial! :)
in response to:
"if using a dslr camera, i'd assume you'd want to shoot in program manual and keep all your settings the same, just change your fstop"
If you change your aperture you will also change your depth of field, and you want to keep all your images exactly the same in every aspect except for exposure. What you do want to change is your shutter speed.
If you have a DSLR you would most likely have an AEB (auto exposure bracketing) function that will get it done. But if not put the selector to Av (aperture priority) choose the aperture you want and then exposure compensate for different exposures.
[Quote/] I just want to point out that there is a free hdri software (photomatrix is not cheap) out there for windows users: I stumbled upon picturenaut some months ago and I do love it (it is free, I just have to run it with bootcamp on my mac ;) and it is REALLY fast.
http://www.hdrlabs.com/picturenaut/index.html?http://picturenaut.de/ [/Quote]
Also Photosphere (mac only)
Uau, com esse post vocês tão figurando a página principal do del.icio.us! Parabéns!
Wow! with this post you are duplicating the principal page of "del.icio.us"! All the best to you!
if using a dslr camera, i'd assume you'd want to shoot in program manual and keep all your settings the same, just change your fstop?
correct?
Thank you for the great tutorial - and thanks to those who commented with other suggestions, too. (I found the RAW format suggestion particularly helpful).
I know you mentioned it can be done in Photoshop, only that it takes longer... but I would really, REALLY like to see how to accomplish this effect with Photoshop instead of needing to purchase a special piece of software just to accomplish this one effect (and why Adobe hasn't added this feature to their CS3, I have no idea! They SHOULD!).
Thank you again!
HDR is becoming quite popular. Thanks for the tutorial.
I've been looking at HDR photos with some interest and even attempted experimenting with them myself. However, I haven't been able to produce a "fake" HDR photo using a single photo and manipulate it in Photoshop, at least, not as successful as I hoped it would be. I've always thought it would be great if I could download a stockphoto and make it into an HDR photo or at least mimick the looks of one and use that in my composition. I mean, when you think about it, most photographic backgrounds in advertising are HDR photos. They represent an idealized reality. Would you consider taking on this challenge and make a tutorial about it? I bet it'd be very popular.
Hi again:
Some extra info on making HDR images.
It might be difficult to use a tripod and play with bracketing if humans or animals are in the picture. They will probably move. Another way of doing it: Shoot a picture in RAW format. Open in Photoshop and save 3 different TIFF images with different exposures. Combine these to make a 32 bit HDR image and run the tonemapping tool.
Well.. the best way to do it..use a tripod and shoot 3x RAW images! then you have a lot more file info to play with than a standard JPG.
Good luck!
Hi! Great tutorial.Just for those people who want to try Photomatix but can't afford to buy it.... it is possible to make a screendump (CTRL+ENTER) of the preview of the tonemapping result. If you use a simple photo editing tool it is very easy to crop it, (once you have opened the screendump in the editing software) You will loose some size but you have a result!
good luck
Good one...
thank you for writing such wonderful tutorial :-)
Uau, com esse post vocês tão figurando a página principal do del.icio.us! Parabéns!
@lenninc
I use Qtpfsgui (http://qtpfsgui.sourceforge.net/) for creating HDR images ...
Ohhhhh man ... you and your tutorial made my life a living hell ..... seems i'm no longer satisfied with regular pictures (no matter how beautiful) because i know how amazing they must be in HDR .
I'm thinking ..... how long does it take to change all my + 1000 HQ wallpapers into HDR versions ?! ~~~hahaha~~~
I'm using your pics for this tutorial.
What were the settings you used in the Tone Mapping Settings dialog box?
Nice tutorial, gonna have to give this a try. Dugg.
Excelent..
nice tutorial, but how about one for us linux guys and gimp, thx
Nice tutorial, i always wondered how to create HDR images, it seems so simple...
I will definetely gonna try it!
Thanks!!! =) very useful tutorial!
Look HDR creme, www.hdrcreme.com, is the first HDR photo gallery that let you share photos, explore and learn about High dynamic range imaging. HDRcreme is a free image hosting service.
A great tutorial. Thanks!
Thank you for this tut but can you also share how to create HDR photos with photshop as well..Thank you
I just want to point out that there is a free hdri software (photomatrix is not cheap) out there for windows users: I stumbled upon picturenaut some months ago and I do love it (it is free, I just have to run it with bootcamp on my mac ;) and it is REALLY fast.
http://www.hdrlabs.com/picturenaut/index.html
http://picturenaut.de/
thx for the detailed tutorial!
Jason, thanks for the info... i red my manual.. but never realized the EV thing.. i always use the Exposure with the Fstop and the ring...
Amin, you should read your DSLR manual.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD40/page6.asp
if you don't have a manual, read this.
read page 3 if you don't understand the camera display.
Great way to do it! :D
nice.. ive been looking for an explanation for this for a long time... GREAT SITE THAT U HAVE HERE.. im coming here almost everyday..
Do you have any idea how to do it with DSLR Cameras like the Nikon D40 that i have... because i dont see that option, i can adjust the exposure but not the way u demostrate here...
thanx..
That's really nice.
Welcome to Abduzeedo, Markus.
Post new comment