[VaNIlLin81]

Anyone that knows a thing or two about Photoshop, I'm asking for some help. I plan on doing a HDR this weekend of a bridge in D.C. What I need to know is how to merge the pictures once they are in photoshop?

If you do not know what HDR is, it is when you take a couple pictures w/o moving the camera...1 picture underexposed, 1 picture normal, 1 picture overexposed and merge them together. Or even more, I plan on using 9, to get an even greater effect.

Any help is awesome

This will explain any questions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

 

[Nobody]

Open each image.

Select one to be 'base' image.

Copy, drag-n-drop, whatever, each 'background' layer in the other two images to the 'base' image.

Set 'Opacity' to 50% for each of the layers and manually align the image. You might also be able to do some other method of alignment.

If you want to merge at that point, set the opacity back to 100% or whatever you want, then 'flatten image' on the 'layers' drop-down menu.

Something like that.

 

[VaNIlLin81]

So you only set opacity to 50% when your alligning them? Then you change them all back to 100% when you're done?

 

[Nobody]

yeah, so you can see through the upper layers and make sure the same points line up.

If you have too many layers at one time, just click the 'eye' on the layer's box and it 'blinks out' without moving.

 

[mastercycleman]

like he said, put the three pictures in layers on , change the opacity, make sure they are lined up, then flatten the image, once you flattten the image you cannot undo it, but i dont know what version your using.

 

[narlus]

to line things up exactly, hold the shift key while dropping one image onto another.

 

[SofaKingBanned]

So you only set opacity to 50% when your alligning them? Then you change them all back to 100% when you're done?

If Opacity=100% and the top image fills the entire layer, then when you flatten, you ONLY see/have the top layer.

EDIT: I assume there's data on each layer that you want to preserve? You'll have to make layer masks to isolate that data.

 

[VaNIlLin81]

Wait, so I leave the images at 50% then flatten?

 

[burly50]

Not sure which PS version you have, but in Photo Shop CS2, you would use the Shadow/Highlight function on one image to get the effect you are going for. So much less work. But, if you are using an older version, the way you are doing it is the best/only method to achieve the results you need.

 

[BigMike]

You could do it that way, OOOORRRR




File:Automate:Merge to HDR

 

[BigMike]

I also just re-read your original post, and clicked on the link you provided us. If you read the whole thing to the bottom, it provides some links for you that show you how to do it in CS2Here

and Here

That is, assuming you are using CS2

 

[blue]

Or you could just make life hella easier and download Photomatix (www.hdrsoft.com).

CS2 is a major PITA when it comes to HDR.

I posted a thread with my first HDR images a few months ago...

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155347

 

[VaNIlLin81]

Yes, I am using CS2

DOPE!! Thanks for all the help guys, I have a set of photos I'm going to try when I get home, I'll let you know how it comes out.

 

[VaNIlLin81]

Ok, anyone who has done HDR,(Blue)

Should I do 5 pictures?

1. Two stops uder
2. One stop under
3. 0
4. One stop over
5. Two stops over

EDIT: I want to shoot RAW also, right? It's kind of obvious I would, but just making sure. I usually shoot raw and Jpeg when I'm doing small stuff like this.

 

[VaNIlLin81]

I posted a thread with my first HDR images a few months ago...

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155347

Dude, those pictures look amazing, I hope mine come out as nice as yours. Although they don't look like most HDR I've seen done, they are still awesome.

 

[Graphics]

Another way to flatten an image, without losing your layers is this...

Create a new layer
Turn the "eye" off any layer you don't want merged
While on the new layer, select Image>Apply_Image
Change "Blending" to "normal"
Select OK

You will find all the layers that were on are now on that one layer "flattened". This is a good way of "merging" layers without losing any effects.

Hope this helps.

 

[blue]

Dude, those pictures look amazing, I hope mine come out as nice as yours. Although they don't look like most HDR I've seen done, they are still awesome.

Eh, they weren't "amazing", they were just HDR...a snazzy gimmicky effect.

But yeah...5 exposures will be better than 3.

I've found that between 12-16 will get you the best results, however, the improvement in image quality will still be minimal if you took only 6 exposures.

Remember, it's all about the extremes in the light meter.

Did you try Photomatix? I'd advise downloading the "pro" version and PMing me. Basic doesn't allow you to tone map, so you still can't get HDR out of it.

 

[Big_Papa1080]

trippy