New Project: High Dynamic Range Imagery (HDRI)

Hello Students,

Your new assignment is to shoot a set of "bracketed" images and combine them with Photoshop's "Merge to HDR Pro" feature. HDR Pro is a powerful tone mapping program, and is the best way to merge multi-exposure images. Bracketing refers to shooting images in multiple exposures, normal, over and under exposed... which are then combined to show a greater depth of light, a higher dynamic range... of color, light and dark.

Project Requirements:

• You will produce 4 final images for this project, 1 landscape, 1 architecture, 1 still life, 1 automobile

• You must use a tripod to shoot a set of multiple exposure images. and then combine them with the Merge to HDR Pro feature in photoshop. Take 3 different exposures, underexposed, normal and overexposed. 

• Use the custom slider in the HDR Pro interface to dial in your image and make it look awesome!

• Post your final images to the flickr account when complete

Tips and Advice to get great results:

• Subject matter is your choice, but avoid any portraits or any subject that will move between taking each picture. Only attempt portraits if your model can stay perfectly still for all exposures. otherwise there will be ghosting and blur in your image.
• HDRI process works best with landscapes, cars, architecture and objects that have rich texture or very shiny surfaces, like cars. 
• HDR Pro can align your images, but if there is too much movement between exposures than results can be less than desirable. 
• Use a tripod, it is mandatory for this project!

How To Merge with HDR Pro in Photoshop CS5:

AKA: Tone Mapping

• Take your 3 different exposures and place them in a new project folder
• Launch Photoshop and go File > Automate > Merge to HDR Pro
• Browse to your files and load all 3

• Merge to HDR Pro launches
• Input the Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO for each exposure

• Modify the sliders as outlined below to achieve your best look
• Check out the Presets at the top for your other 3 versions

Check out this video about using HDR Pro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsaS5vgzlek

Setting Camera Up for Bracketing:

Menu > Camera  >Bracketing > AE Bracketing > Choose exposure

Click here to check out this link to see details on setting up AEB on the Rebel T3i

Merge to HDR Pro Slider Functions Explained:

Edge Glow:

Strength <--- Increase these numbers for more halo effect, decrease for less

Radius <--- Increase these numbers for more halo effect, decrease for less

Tone/ Detail

Detail <--- Sharpens your image and adds contrast, ADJUST THIS FIRST then adjust others.

Exposure <--- Increases or decreases brightness

Shadow <--- brighten or darken shadows

Highlights <--- brighten or darken highlights

Color:

Vibrance  <--- Adjusts muted colors first, then others

Saturation <--- removes or adds more color