[Boofers]

Just wondering how many have been happy with the new hdr tools now in CS3. I find the exposure and alignment much better then CS2, plus the ability to save presets in the local adaption curves adjusment. Also new layer support. I have been getting some really clear color depth and would like to hear from others before I post. Thanks

[Dave]

Must admit I gave up in CS2 & used Photomatix. Tried CS3 very quickly but didn't like the results ..... maybe I should give it another try

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by Dave

Must admit I gave up

And me! I'm sure it's me but I just can't get anything meaningful out of any of the HDR apps........... so far! I'm sure I'll come up with something............ eventually!

[P-E]

I only use Photomatix to tone map.

On occasion I have had problems with certain images using Photomatix.........

[Boofers]

Useing the exposure adjustments, saving a preset in local adaption on the curves with the picture looking right, ,saving as a tiff and opening in raw from bridge as a tone mapping seems to be the way to go, atleast with the high detail trees and leaves that are coming out my
ears. This little system has given me a brighter color depth when compared with the original 3 raw exposures. Anyway I noticed the difference right away,,I haven't used anything but photomatrix until now. The top picture is my first in PS so I can improve with a little practice I'm hoping. There is no sharpening or adjustments after raw in CS3 and tonemapping in Photomatrix. Please tell me your impressions,,Thanks
[IMG][/IMG]

[Les Meehan]

P-E

That's a gorgeous shot of the barn interior (?), I prefer the CS3 colours.

A cracker!

Cheers

Les Meehan

[P-E]

Thanks Les........it was an old out building that has now been turned in to offices.

[Boofers]

Here's my 2nd attempt at CS3 hdr. F11_1/200_-1.67 1/80_-0.33 1/30_+1 and I had a polerizer on my 24mm. I am finding that the curves in local adaption can bring in the lighter hdr mid tones, than camera raw will add contrast. Blue sky changed when loaded on web.
[IMG][/IMG]

[P-E]

I like the detail in that building Boofers.

[P-E]

Boofers.....Apologies if you have already tried this.....

After 3 images have been merged in CS3 the file is 32 bit.....if you then change this to 16 bit an HDR pop up box appears. Using 'Method' you can 'Equalize the Histogram'.......

This is supposed to give a more natural HDR image without the need for tone mapping.

[Boofers]

Hi P-E,
No haven't paid to much attention, I did pull it up and look at the change it makes. So your saying that after you apply equalize histogram, save, then you make your needed adjustments as a normal picture,,ok,,shall give it a try. I have played alot with exposure and gamma, and with the radius and threshold sliders. I am impressed with the radius change that applys to detail at higher numbers. I have been making it hard on my self by useing pictures with trees,,,,leaves don't lend to the effort, I am burned out right now and have been having fun playing with selective masking and makeing a wonderful mess. "I shall return"

[Boofers]

Used this hdr from photomatrix before tone mapping, it was there so I used it in CS3 and used the EQ histogram convert to 16bit and tried to lighten it alittle as it was cloudy,,,I even had a polerizer "to lazy to take it off, nowhere to put it" Thought it looked better with alittle film grain. I will have to try this out some more, another picture might have looked better, thanks for the insight.
[IMG][/IMG]

[P-E]

Hi Boofers.......to be honest I've not used the 'Equalize Histogram' option myself much but I would apply curves, saturation etc after doing so.

I can't find the article now which showed this more 'natural HDR' processing .......personally I prefer to do over the top HDR

[Boofers]

Yea, I crave those shots to work with, it gives me discipline to use my tripod and different lense's. Half the shots I have taken have been hand held and not really very wide apart on exposure settings, which has allowed me to get very close. CS3 aligns the frames much better and then crops the ones I know are wavering around, that shows CS3 is aligning the pic. Another point, we both know that bricks make a good interest in hdr, I have really been impressed with film grain, it has given some nice effect at fine settings. I will run out of space soon and erase pictures I put here, then start a new thread, I am liking this section.