HDR Imaging and Reef Tanks

[tosiek]

So, a few months ago I was looking at HDR images on the web. Here is the Wiki Link for those that don't know about HDR images. I spent the time researching it and browsed the forums but never got to the taking pictures part.

I think its pretty cool stuff. It can run from slightly enhanced contrasts and highlights throughout the picture to extreme adjustments to where the pictures look surreal and illustrated.

These are real images in HDR.

Anyways, I'm going to be working on doing HDR Reef Images on my free time. I've seen a few quick photoshop CS2 built HDR images on nano-reef.com but I haven't seen it as widespread as I thought it would. Post up if you have had any experience building some nice HDR's of your tank or had good/bad experiences trying. I'll post up some of mine later tonight. The only problem I think I'll have is Ghosting from fish and flow.

 

[noobzy]

This is a really cool idea! The only HDR I've done was from 3D rendering software... no real photography, so no moving objects outside of my control. I imagine the ghosting will just look cool - either way, I'm in for the results!

 

[Mattl22]

Very cool love to see ur reef done like that

 

[MO~IDOL]

you can avoid ghosting problem by doing "pseudo HDR"(Creating HDR photos from a single RAW file).
here's few Pseudo HDR I did.....

 

[James]

very cool. I have tons of HDR pics as my wallpaper. reef ones would be awesome. get on that tony

james

 

[chinatown]

Do I need any special lens to take HRD photos or will the stock kit lens suffice? I have the crappy 18-55mm one.

 

[Widdy]

Any lens will suffice, just need post processing software for tone mapping ie. Photomatix.

http://www.stuckincustoms.com/ for tutorial.

 

[MO~IDOL]

Do I need any special lens to take HRD photos or will the stock kit lens suffice? I have the crappy 18-55mm one.

no any camera can do but of cause the better cam and lens the better quality u get....Happy reading...VVVVVVVVV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

 

[ctxmonitor]

Those are some very high quality HDR pics.

 

[rookie07]

Thanks for sharing...pictures are awesome, and I had no idea about this.

I have a few questions, as i had a a hard time following wiki.

Here is what I got from it:

You take a few or even just 1 RAW image(s), and with software you can convert that image or images into into a HDR or HDRI image which basically just creates greater contrast between light and dark.

Does this mean that I can just buy software (what software would you guys recommend that is cheap and easy, no jokes please), and have it convert my images (preferably RAW b/c otherwise it doesnt work right) into HDR image?

Thanks for the help!

I found this site for software and was thinking about the $39 option. Is that a bad buy?
http://www.hdrsoft.com/order.php

 

[grknyer]

I know that second photo Steve!! :lol2:
Tony please don't overdo it with the halos. I hate halos and would hate to see them around fish!

 

[smoq]

Thanks for sharing...pictures are awesome, and I had no idea about this.

I have a few questions, as i had a a hard time following wiki.

Here is what I got from it:

You take a few or even just 1 RAW image(s), and with software you can convert that image or images into into a HDR or HDRI image which basically just creates greater contrast between light and dark.

Does this mean that I can just buy software (what software would you guys recommend that is cheap and easy, no jokes please), and have it convert my images (preferably RAW b/c otherwise it doesnt work right) into HDR image?

Thanks for the help!

I found this site for software and was thinking about the $39 option. Is that a bad buy?
http://www.hdrsoft.com/order.php

Yes sir, you can do that because RAW let you change the exposure compensation so you don't have to shoot multiple times. With HDR you typically take a series of shots, 3 minimum, where one is underexposed, one is with correct exposure and one is overexposed. The best software is photomatix pro hands sown. You can also play with HDR in Photoshop, but it's more tricky.

 

[rookie07]

The best software is photomatix pro hands down.

Anyone else agree or disagree with this statement?

 

[grknyer]

Anyone else agree or disagree with this statement?

I have it and like it alot but others might like some other type. It is easier than the Photoshop version. Some people use more than 3 exposures. I have seen some awesome hdr images done with more than three exposures

 

[tosiek]

Here is a pic I was playing with using a Pseudo HDR technique I pulled off google. It was a very simple tutorial and I could have done better. Its pretty poopy but gives you an idea of whats going on. I think I spent 20 mins or so adjusting and learning whatever tutorial I pulled from google. The picture is not the best quality, it was one of the quick ones I took to play with the HDR software i downloaded.

Original:

Same picture with auto tone and auto contrast feature in Photoshop CS2:

Here is the Pseudo HDR Image:

This is one single JPEG toyed with in photoshop. The real way to make HDR images is to take 3-5 different exposure pictures and layer them and highlight certain things in photoshop, or run them through a HDR imaging program like Photomatix. Btw, don't spend the 30$-90$ on a program because theres plenty of free ones =0) Shoot me a PM.

I'll get more trial and error pics after dinner.

 

[tosiek]

Here is an amazing read on HDR imaging using landscapes. Its well worth the time spent looking through.

The only problem I see in doing the HDR images on our tanks is dealing with the blue lighting.

 

[MO~IDOL]

HDR or High dynamic range photography is a a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than a standard digital photograph. This wider dynamic range allows HDR photographs to more accurately represent the wide range of levels found in a real scenes. High dynamic range photography is achieved by capturing and then merging multiple standard photographs into an HDR image.

I tried with photoshop, lightroom, and some (iPhone apps does everything for u just chose the version you like but r limited). Photomatix is my fav.(thanks to Steve you know who you are:splitspin)

good info and tutorial links.....
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=637594


Nice start Tony!

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

nice pics and info fellas... hats off too you guys!!!

 

[ellebelle]

I'm personally not a fan of HDR images. I think they tend to look fake, especially when more than 3 exposures are blended together. "Pseudo HDR" images tend to look more real, IMO.

 

[THEDLO]

I'm personally not a fan of HDR images. I think they tend to look fake, especially when more than 3 exposures are blended together. "Pseudo HDR" images tend to look more real, IMO.

+2 i love the more natural look.