Mudpuppy Loc: Michigan

I have been playing around with picturenaut and picasa. Just can't seem to piece it together. Not sure I like the results from today but getting closer. This was shot right before I shot at a deer and missed. Guess it just wasn't my day. Did find that sRGB doesn't work well with picturenaut. This is shot using adobe rgb and seemed to work a lot better. I will just have to keep working on it and see what I can come up with. This was shot as 7 pictures -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3, f/5.6, 200mm

SQUIRL033 Loc: Chehalis, WA

looks like a painting...

dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

I experienced a learning curve defining what I wanted to present post-processed. Some of my earlier HDR multiple bracketed EV and single tonemapped images were (in my opinion) “over processed”. In time I developed “minimally toned” images - which is my preference. I shoot my images in NEF (RAW) format, and use Paintshop Photo Pro X4 and Photomatix 4 software.

99% of my HDR merged images are hand held. My D5100 captures 3 EV bracketed frames (which has produced good results @ 1.0 EV). My D700 FX can capture an 8-fps EV bracketed burst - however I have set mine to capture a max of 5 frames with a 0.5 or 1.0 EV. I do use a tripod when composing an HDR image at slower shutter speeds.

Have not used the software you identified you used for this post-process (believe it is free online?). I have had good results with the purchased digital imaging software I mentioned previously. Just a heads up - I would use caution using Adobe RGB. There has been a story circulating on the internet for over a decade that Adobe RGB provides a broader range of colors - It does this in theory, but not in practice. Adobe RGB is irrelevant for real photography. sRGB gives better (more consistent) results and the same, or brighter, colors. Using Adobe RGB is one of the leading causes of colors not matching between monitor and print.

Below is a link to a gallery that will show you samples of my post-processed images in my 'lightroom' - progressively moving from 'minimal processed' images, to what I now can say are 'over processed' images...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73877479@N00/sets/72157627995181707/show/

Mudpuppy Loc: Michigan

Thanks for the tips.. I think picturenaut only recognizes adobe rgb.. You have some amazing shots.. really nice work.. maybe i just need to get the photomatrix software for a few bucks and play around with that..

Pentax-K10D Loc: Denver, Co

Raw files are really the only way to go for HDR or any photo if your camera can shoot raw & have software to process them. I use photo matrix & it does a pretty nice job. Keep at you'll get it.

kaycholewinski Loc: Farmersburg, Indiana

Have not used either of those software. I use photomatix and paintshop pro ..and this is what I get

Mudpuppy Loc: Michigan

I am shooting raw. I always shoot in raw. Tried high res jpg for some action stuff and really didn't like it. The buffer will shoot 4 pictures before it fills so usually any action sequence 4 is enough photos anyways.

nice pics kay. I really like the first one. I think I need to just get that software. Not exactly sure what is going with picturenaut. Maybe I need to do more developing instead of just merging 7 raw photos.

dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

Hey mudpuppy -

I purchased Photomatix 4 software specifically for HDR processing.

While I can understand the sentiment, I would advise against just 'playing around' with the adjustment sliders for every image. I read the instructions for using the Photomatix software when purchasing it, and discovered what impact these sliders actually have on an image's contrast, hue, luminosity, temperature, etc.

I now have the software pre-set at a tonemapping level when opening an image in Photomatix, and adjust specific levels for enhancement - so I can present specifically what I desire in an image.

Hope you have good success, and as much pleasure I have in my ‘lightroom’ developing HDR images.

Cheers!
dhelix33

heidionefligrl Loc: Mentor, Ohio

I have A D5100 as well. I am still very new at photography. I took this pic of a sculpture at work and used Picnik to turn it to HDR. I have not used the HDR on the D5100. Is there much difference using the camerea vs post production HDR?

dhelix33 Loc: Live in Raleigh, NC - Grew up in Teaneck, NJ

Hey mudpuppy -

I purchased Photomatix 4 software specifically for HDR processing.

While I can understand the sentiment, I would advise against just 'playing around' with the adjustment sliders for every image. I read the instructions for using the Photomatix software when purchasing it, and discovered what impact these sliders actually have on an image's contrast, hue, luminosity, temperature, etc.

I now have the software pre-set at a tonemapping level when opening an image in Photomatix, and adjust specific levels for enhancement - so I can present specifically what I desire in an image (see images below).

Hope you have good success, and as much pleasure I have in my ‘lightroom’ developing HDR images.

Cheers!
dhelix33

Falls Lake, North Carolina; Oct. 2011 (Nikon D700 FX & Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8)


Cary, North Carolina; Oct. 2011 (Nikon D700 & Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6)

Mudpuppy Loc: Michigan

I didn't change anything on the sliders before merging the photos. I adjusted the final picture in picasa after picturenaut put them together.

Mudpuppy Loc: Michigan

here is a new one from saturday

Mudpuppy Loc: Michigan

One from December 31