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HDR in PS Elements 10
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Oct 27, 2011 19:15:39   #
Allen Loc: Plainfield, IN
 
I was talked into upgrading from Elements 8 to 10 because the HDR would be easier. I have merged 3 photos and used File, New, Photo Merge Exposure, and really cannot see much difference from the actual photo at 0, compared to the merged. I used a tripod and bracketed at 0, -1, and +1. Is there a lot more to using HDR than the salesperson told me? I looked in the Elements directory, and on Youtube, but cannot find any info on HDR in Elements 10. I appreciate the knowledge base on this forum and believe someone out there has the answer. Thanks Allen

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Oct 27, 2011 19:31:50   #
mommy115 Loc: California
 
Thanks for this post. I have PSE9 and wasn't aware it had HDR capabilities. I look forward to see what answers you get so I can try it out.

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Oct 27, 2011 19:37:01   #
Allen Loc: Plainfield, IN
 
I think, and hope, we can get some good info from responses. It's probably out there, we just have to know how to do it.

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Oct 27, 2011 19:37:07   #
steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA
 
You actually need a broader exposure spread, for good HDR results like -2 0 +2. Yes Elements 9 has a Photomerge Exposure, that constitutes HDR.

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Oct 27, 2011 19:41:40   #
Allen Loc: Plainfield, IN
 
OK, thanks for the info Steve. I shot some covered bridges in Indiana yesterday, and wanted to see what impact HDR would yield. Now I'll have to go back another time and bracket at +2, 0, and -2. Other than that, should the File, New, and Photo Merge Exposure give the desired effects, or will I need to do other steps along the way? Thanks

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Oct 27, 2011 20:00:05   #
steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA
 
Photomerge has high light, shadow, and saturation tool, that will pretty much give you some control over the tone of the image. Elements just does not have a tonemapping tool, like dedicated HDR programs do. I really don't miss it though, as I don't like the overuse of tonemapping. I much prefer a natural looking high dynamic range, than the comic book look that comes with extensive overuse of tonemapping.

I would go for combining 5 exposures rather than three. Take one series of +1 -1 0, then another of +2 -2 0. Then use either one of the 0 files, and the other four + - images. This will give you an even broader range of contrast, and a more even exposure. I am assuming your camera auto brackets, but if it does not there is no need for more than one 0 image.

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Oct 27, 2011 20:07:24   #
phoneguy55 Loc: upstate NY
 
this video shows PSE8 using HDR with multiple exposures.
http://www.photoradar.com/techniques/video/how-to-create-an-hdr-landscape-in-photoshop

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Oct 27, 2011 20:52:40   #
steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA
 
Another small gem, unless you are going to make some large sized prints. It would be a good idea to re-size all the images, it will speed up the processing a whole bunch. :) Also if you don't have a large amount of RAM, Elements my freeze, or worse! crash. :(

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Oct 27, 2011 21:38:38   #
mommy115 Loc: California
 
Thanks phoneguy. It's a good tutorial. Now I just have to figure out how to do the bracketing. :-)

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Oct 27, 2011 22:05:56   #
steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA
 
Quote:
Now I just have to figure out how to do the bracketing.


Tripod essential, or good solid tree stump. :lol: If your camera does not have a bracketing feature built in, use your exposure compensation. Taking the five or so shots this way is rather slow, but it works.

Since Elements does not have an alignment feature, you really need some form of external shutter release. Such as the old fashioned cable, or the modern electronic type. This is not a bad idea even if you use a program like photomatrix, which does have alignment correction. Because all the alignment is done in the center-most 70 percent or so, leaving fuzzy unaligned outer areas.

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Oct 28, 2011 08:07:22   #
K7DJJ Loc: Spring Hill, FL
 
Elements does an alignment automatically.

steve40 wrote:
Quote:
Now I just have to figure out how to do the bracketing.


Tripod essential, or good solid tree stump. :lol: If your camera does not have a bracketing feature built in, use your exposure compensation. Taking the five or so shots this way is rather slow, but it works.

Since Elements does not have an alignment feature, you really need some form of external shutter release. Such as the old fashioned cable, or the modern electronic type. This is not a bad idea even if you use a program like photomatrix, which does have alignment correction. Because all the alignment is done in the center-most 70 percent or so, leaving fuzzy unaligned outer areas.
quote Now I just have to figure out how to do the... (show quote)

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Oct 28, 2011 09:16:39   #
GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan
 
Just about everything for the last few years has "Curves". If you play around with that portion, a simple HRD can be achieved.

I use Capture 1 program, (PS Elements 7 sometimes also). Capture 1 has something like that only mush easier to use. Just slide a mark to make the middle or upper portions lighter, the way you wish.

It doesn't work if you want to make the early "over done" HDR though. Those look pretty cheap anyway.

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Oct 28, 2011 09:48:40   #
OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee
 
Hey Steve. Like you, I don't care for HDR that is blown out to the point it looks more like a painting than a photo. You have given me some interest in the subject though. Would you mind posting a couple of your results to this thread?
steve40 wrote:
Photomerge has high light, shadow, and saturation tool, that will pretty much give you some control over the tone of the image. Elements just does not have a tonemapping tool, like dedicated HDR programs do. I really don't miss it though, as I don't like the overuse of tonemapping. I much prefer a natural looking high dynamic range, than the comic book look that comes with extensive overuse of tonemapping.

I would go for combining 5 exposures rather than three. Take one series of +1 -1 0, then another of +2 -2 0. Then use either one of the 0 files, and the other four + - images. This will give you an even broader range of contrast, and a more even exposure. I am assuming your camera auto brackets, but if it does not there is no need for more than one 0 image.
Photomerge has high light, shadow, and saturation ... (show quote)

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Oct 28, 2011 10:35:28   #
Allen Loc: Plainfield, IN
 
Thanks Phoneguy, this is great ! It makes me wonder why the salesperson talked me into upgrading from PSE 8 to PSE 10 when it can be done in PSE 8. I appreciate the link. Allen

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Oct 28, 2011 10:42:54   #
Allen Loc: Plainfield, IN
 
Thanks Steve, I use Canon T1i, so it does bracket. Never thought about shooting twice, +1, 0, -1, and then +2, 0, -2. That may be interesting to attempt a change while camera is on a tripod! But at least you have given me more direction than what I had initially. Thanks again. Allen

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