If you don’t know what is HDR, read my previous post “HDR Photography at River side” to give you better idea. The method was more “Manual”, it should be easier. How? Read on.

Auto Exposure Bracketing Trick

In fact, AEB should be use to generate image under various exposures. AEB or known as Auto Exposure Bracketing is a trick to force camera take same image with different exposure. Different DSLR model may work differently, suggest you to check out the operation manual. But too bad my Nikon D60 don’t have AEB!

Use AEB if your camera allows. Let’s say camera don’t have AEB and you don’t want to capture same image with previous method, what can you do? We have another method to generate different exposure on the same image.

RAW Image Format

What is RAW image? The name itself explain it is Raw image created by camera’s image sensor without process. Therefore are not ready for edit with bitmap graphic editor or printing.

Open the RAW image and adjust the “Exposure” with the help of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8. Save a copy each for exposure -2, 0, +2. Then generate HDR using Photomatix Pro .

My Two Cents

The fake exposure generate from RAW image has limitation. The quality and color not that satisfied when zoom in. Overall still acceptable. Acceptable means OK only, not that perfect.

Left one is HDR photo, right one is RAW image.

Take a look on the HDR mouse photo generated from RAW image. How you feel? Please give your opinion in the comment below.

HDR or High Dynamic Range Imaging is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminances between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. (Wikipedia)

Today is my first experience to compose HDR photography. Actually it is NOT so difficult to compose a HDR image with some help below.

• A blue sky with hot sun and clouds
• Tripod
• HDR Imaging Software, eg: Photomatix Pro

How To Compose HDR Photo?

With the help of tripod, let your DSLR stand firm on the ground. Snap the same image with 3 different exposure (+2.0, 0, -2.0). Make sure you carefully adjust the exposure without moving position of the camera and tripod. If the photos not in exact position, ghost effect will exist when HDR software combine the photos.

My experience is strong wind might slightly move your camera angle if the lock not tight enough. So, tighten the tripod screw before capture. If you’re not sure, capture a few sets to have backup.

Go back home and transfer photos to computer. Open Photomatix Pro > Generate HDR > Load at least 3 photos with different exposure > Adjust Tone mapping > Process > Save the image. Adjust the tone mapping settings according to your need.

Finally my first HDR image is here. Hope your enjoy and give comment below.

(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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Which one you think the best HDR image? I like the third one most.

PS: Some photographer took 5 photos at different exposure to have more details, but I think 3 photos is enough for beginner.