HDR - Am I trying to do the impossible? This is the sunrise this morning. I took a series of pictures, I wanted to captrue the color and richness of the sunrise, but also get the...

orterrym Loc: Miami

This is the sunrise this morning. I took a series of pictures, I wanted to captrue the color and richness of the sunrise, but also get the details in the buildings so they are not just shadows. The first four are the original photos. The last two are output from Photomatrix. I either get the details of the buildings but lose color in the sunrise, or I get the color of the sunrise, but lose details in the buildings. Is there just too much contrast between the shots to achieve the results I am looking for?

First HDR has the colors but buildings are shadows.

The buildings have details, but lost much of the color.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I am surprised this is out of Photomatix. The last image looks just like a single overexposed image with the sky blown out. Photomatix shouldn't do that.
But then, I don't do HDR anymore as I was unimpressed with most of the results and can do almost the same thing shooting in RAW and merging multiple versions in CS6 that seem to yield better results for me.

EDIT: now you have added more images since my original reply. I assumed #4 was your HDR as none of the images were labeled.

orterrym Loc: Miami

MT Shooter wrote:

I am surprised this is out of Photomatix. The last image looks just like a single overexposed image with the sky blown out. Photomatix shouldn't do that.
But then, I don't do HDR anymore as I was unimpressed with most of the results and can do almost the same thing shooting in RAW and merging multiple versions in CS6 that seem to yield better results for me.

EDIT: now you have added more images since my original reply. I assumed #4 was your HDR as none of the images were labeled.

Sorry for the delay, it took a few to upload the rest of the images. Yes, the last two are from Photomatrix. Maybe I should try in Photoshop instead.

GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

The dynamic range in this image is not sufficient for an HDR process. Try Photoshop and use the shadows / highlights adjustment.

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

Hi orterry, how many shots did you use to bracket and what ev steps?

orterrym Loc: Miami

farmerjim wrote:

Hi orterry, how many shots did you use to bracket and what ev steps?

I used four, different exposure times.

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

4 may be enough but there's a heck of DR in this subject. Get the best shot you can in Photomatrix then finish of using the shadows / highlights adjustment in photoshop as Grahem suggested.

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

PS Sory I didn't read the Original post properly, you do say you used 4 shots, D'oh!
I've only got dial-up speed download at the mo' but I'll have another look tomorrow.

fotkaman Loc: Earth

I'd try grey neutral density filter, like ND6 or ND8, f22 with aperture priority, ISO 100, on tripod, because it'll be a long exposure (I guess about 10 seconds). The long exposure will get you detail in the dark range, the filter will prevent over-exposure in the bright range. Good luck!

swanseamale47

Theres a simple cheat, open the lighter hdr (photomatix version) in photoshop, now holding down shift drag the darker original shot on top, now use a layer mask and a gradient to blend the two together, the sky from the dark original and the forground from the lighter hdr.

Kinopless Loc: Mandurah, Western Australia

fotkaman wrote:

I'd try grey neutral density filter, like ND6 or ND8, f22 with aperture priority, ISO 100, on tripod, because it'll be a long exposure (I guess about 10 seconds). The long exposure will get you detail in the dark range, the filter will prevent over-exposure in the bright range. Good luck!

I don't think that would actually work. Just putting a neutral density filter on will merely increase your exposure. Any increase in exposure is exactly that, it's not subject selective. It would increase exposure in the highlights as well as the shadows. No benefit at all.
A split density filter would make a difference but it's a bit hit and miss until you've used it a few times.
This was a quick attempt using PS3. It has a Shadow/Highlight tool that I've found useful at times.
Check out the downloaded file, it looks better larger.

kaerophil Loc: Oxford, CT

The last one is the best, and to me, it isn't overexposed

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

I don't think you mentioned what your exposure range. I enjoy shooting HDR. But I quite often shoot from +3 to -3 EV.

I have never had an issue with photomatix Pro. I wonder If your exposure range was too narrow.

Was your camera set to Aperture priority?

RicN Loc: Middle of Nowhere, Minnesota

Hope you don't mind, but here is my try using Fhotoroom, Artizen HDR. Couldn't get all the shadows from the buildings.

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

Hi orterry, had a play with your 4 downloads using Photomatrix. I'd normally finish off with a little tweak in CS4 but can't today. I think all the info is there in your shots, you probably need to play around a bit with Photomatrix.
Nice shot by the way :thumbup: