Creating Photographs
That Match
Your Vision
Presenter: Stan Sholik
The Problem: • How do we match what we see to the final output • Not a new problem • Ansel Adams Zone System • Graduated ND filters • The “golden hour”
The Current Problem • Human Vision • Digital Sensor
Human Vision • Brightness (Dynamic) Range: 1,000,000:1, or 20 f-stops
Human Vision • Brightness (Dynamic) Range: 1,000,000:1, or 20 f-stops • Typical Photographic Scene: 100,000 : 1, or 15 f-stops
Digital Sensor • Low to mid level digital camera Dynamic Range: 5-7 f-stops
Digital Sensor • Low to mid level digital camera Dynamic Range: 5-7 f-stops • Professional digital SLR Dynamic Range: 11 f-stops
Dynamic Ranges • Human vision: 20 f-stops • Sunlit scene: 15 f-stops • Professional digital SLR: 11 f-stops • Mid level digital camera: 5-7 f-stops
The Current Solution • High Dynamic Range (HDR) Imaging
Capturing Full Dynamic Range • HDR – High Dynamic Range imaging • Image capture-multiple exposures • Image processing-HDR software
Camera Basics • Lens aperture • Shutter speed • ISO (sensor sensitivity) • Digital file format • TIFF, JPEG • RAW
HDR Imaging Basics • Image capture-multiple exposures • Image processing
HDR Image Capture • Adjustable digital camera • Tripod
Camera Requirements • Adjustable exposure • Adjust shutter speed not aperture • Multiple exposures • Auto bracketing? • Disable • Auto white balance • Auto exposure • Auto focus • Image stabilization (use a tripod) • Use lowest possible ISO • Use smallest aperture (high number) for DOF
The Capture Process • Attach camera to tripod and compose scene, focus • Disable camera automation • Determine correct exposure • Adjust exposure sequence for -2EV, correct, +2EV • Adjust shutter speed not aperture • Use autobracketing if available • Aperture priority • Capture image sequence
Further Details On Image Capture
• www.NikSoftware.com/hdrefexpro/usa/help
• www.HDRlabs.com
HDR Image Processing • HDR Software • Image Output
What Does HDR Software Do? • Converts each image to 32-bit floating point math in HDR color space • Determines and combines best exposed region of each image • Creates an 8-bit image to display on the monitor • Provides controls to adjust the image • Outputs the image in 8 or 16 bits per color when you are satisfied with the result
HDR Software Options • Adobe: Adobe Photoshop CS3 or greater - $650 • www.Adobe.com • Everimaging LTD: HDR Photo Pro - $30 • www.Everimaging.com • HDR Soft: Photomatix Essentials 3 - $39 • www.HDRsoft.com • HDR Soft: Photomatix Pro - $99 • www.HDRsoft.com • Nik Software: HDR Efex Pro - $100 • www.NikSoftware.com • Unified Color: HDR Expose 2 - $149 • www.UnifiedColor.com
HDR Imaging – Beyond the Literal
Nik Software Discount • Email me, [email protected], for a 15% discount on Nik HDR Efex Pro software • A signed copy of my book on Nik HDR Efex Pro is available for $20