11 ways to -High Dynamic Range Images

•4 masking techniques•4 PS HDR methods•3 Third party tools

Net tutorials:http://www.naturescapes.net/072006/rh0706_1.htmhttp://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/high-dynamic-range.htm

Basic HDR

• Tripod – or auto bracket in burst mode• Aperture priority

• Or manual, but change the shutter speed• Three or more shots

•One for the highlights•One for the shadows•One for the mid range

• HDR vs Tone Mapping

Technique #1

Masking in Photoshop

• gradient mask• simple mask (plus a bonus)• luminosity mask

• what about 1 image, process twice?

Using a mask to simulatea graduated neutral densityfilter.

This is a 2 stop graduatedneutral density filter. They come in various stops witheither a hard or soft transitionedge. The come with a holderthat allows the filter to be rotated so the transition can be at an angle. The main draw-back is that the transitioncan only be straight.

+1.33 Ev - .66 Ev

Uncheck ‘Blend images together’

Note: images have been aligned – crop to eliminate the difference at any time

Highlight top layer and click ‘add adjustment layer’

1. Make sure the mask is active – double lines around the box2. Click gradient tool3. If not already selected click this gradient option4. Shift click to draw a straight line on the image – the length of the line defines the transition5. Foreground is white, background is black; rule is ‘white reveals, black conceals’6. Repeat, adjusting as often as you want until you get it ‘close’ – not perfect

Click here to make surewhite is white and blackis black

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Alt click on the mask to show the mask in the main frame.

So, what about motion?

The \ key reveals the mask over the image

To edit the mask, click on the mask in the layers palette and paint with white or blackLarge brush, soft edges, medium to low opacity

Final results. Probably could use a bit more work here.Note: you don’t need to use the gradient mask. Just use a large brush with soft edgesgradually changing the opacity until you get what you want.

Simple Mask

Alternatively, for a simple mask, just take and image exposed for the shadow and one for the highlights and build a mask.

Bonus shortcut!

First, just adjustthe opacity andsee if you needto go any further!

Painting with white reveals the layer, painting with black conceals the layer (and reveals the underlying layer). Use low opacity, eg: 25% and built up the mask.

Final version.

Luminosity Mask ‘ctrl alt shift ~’

-.33 ev -1.0 ev -1.67 ev -2.33 ev

Open the images using‘file’ ‘automate’ ‘photomerge’.

Uncheck ‘merge images’

Sort with brightest imageOn the top

Press:

Ctrl alt shift ~

This selects the pixelsOn the right hand halfof the histogram.

Press ‘Select’ ‘Inverse’Then create a mask by pressing on the mask icon

The Mask

White revealsBlack conceals

Repeat for all layersexcept the bottom

Histogram looks OK,but note it’s not beenrefreshed.

Some slightclipping.

More or less finishedproduct. Needs someCleaning up of mess.

Note histogram isupdated.