Why not shoot HDR if your camera has AEB? These days I'm shooting with a Nikon D7100. The "U1" Mode position sets me up for 3 shots (0EV, -2EV, +2EV); ISO 200 (for hand-held); f:11;...

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

These days I'm shooting with a Nikon D7100. The "U1" Mode position sets me up for 3 shots (0EV, -2EV, +2EV); ISO 200 (for hand-held); f:11; "A" mode (camera chooses shutter speeds). In the field I may make adjustments to f-stop and/or ISO depending on the light and DOF I want.

I shoot this way almost exclusively because I know that I can work with just the 0EV if I want to.

I use Lightroom for SD card transfer, Lens and CA correction. I then export to Photomatix Pro for deghosting and merging. I use either tone mapping or lately, fusion. Then I open the TIFF in PS Elements 11 and finish with Topaz filters.

Here is an example of a recent image from Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, Florida...

BTW - images reduced to 2048 pixels from 6000

Final HDR image

(Download)

0EV image (no adjustments other than converting to JPEG

(Download)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Thanks for the good info ! - I just use Sony in camera HDR - I don't have all the programs you have - just Elements 5 - and don't spend a lot of time on them either - maybe some day when I can afford more time and software .....?

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

RVDigitalBoy wrote:

These days I'm shooting with a Nikon D7100. The &q... (show quote)

Would you care to explain what the U1 mode is for those folks that don't understand this terminology? I'm assuming this is where you set the parameters earlier for your HDR shots and then just turn the control knob to U1 when you feel like shooting in HDR?

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

Fstop12 wrote:

Would you care to explain what the U1 mode is for those folks that don't understand this terminology? I'm assuming this is where you set the parameters earlier for your HDR shots and then just turn the control knob to U1 when you feel like shooting in HDR?

On the Mode dial on top of my Nikon D7100 there are two user programmable choices: "U1" and "U2." These are in addition to the expected positions like "A" (aperture priority), "S" (shutter Priority) and others.

I have programmed the "U1" Mode position with my hand-held HDR shooting parameters.

My D3100 did NOT have these 2 user defined options. I'm sure there are many cameras that do not either.

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

imagemeister wrote:

Thanks for the good info ! - I just use Sony in camera HDR - I don't have all the programs you have - just Elements 5 - and don't spend a lot of time on them either - maybe some day when I can afford more time and software .....?

Imagemeister, does your internal HDR (Sony) allow for more than just +1, 0EV, -1? If so, then in high contrast situations (bright sunny day) it may not capture enough range.

Having said that, your images on FAA are magnificent. I'm on FAA as well.

jerrylh Loc: Texas

Your hdr is fantastic and I want to learn how to do this and thank you for the details.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I like to do pretty much what you're doing except that I turn them into 32 bit files (rather than HDR) and process them in ACR, Photoshop, and/or NIK Silver Effects.

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

I agree there are many images that originally would not benefit from HRD processing, but whether you shoot 3-5-7 or + you might find the ONE besides it costs no more to go home with a full card as with half full, and the delete button is available, use with caution.
Org image :thumbup: :thumbup:
HDR: :thumbup:

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

jackm1943 wrote:

I like to do pretty much what you're doing except that I turn them into 32 bit files (rather than HDR) and process them in ACR, Photoshop, and/or NIK Silver Effects.

Unfortunately, PS Elements only works with 8-bit files. So I'm stuck with that unless I go to the full Photoshop. I have no plans to do so, however.

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

jerrylh wrote:

Your hdr is fantastic and I want to learn how to do this and thank you for the details.

Jerry, Everything I have learned about shooting and processing HDR I learned from the Web. You can too.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

RVDigitalBoy wrote:

On the Mode dial on top of my Nikon D7100 there are two user programmable choices: "U1" and "U2." These are in addition to the expected positions like "A" (aperture priority), "S" (shutter Priority) and others.

I have programmed the "U1" Mode position with my hand-held HDR shooting parameters.

My D3100 did NOT have these 2 user defined options. I'm sure there are many cameras that do not either.

Thanks for the explanation!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

RVDigitalBoy wrote:

Imagemeister, does your internal HDR (Sony) allow for more than just +1, 0EV, -1? If so, then in high contrast situations (bright sunny day) it may not capture enough range.

Having said that, your images on FAA are magnificent. I'm on FAA as well.

I think it goes to +- 5 or 6 EV - I usually am doing 3EV.

drbarrymary Loc: No. Carolina, Florida

Can you tell me how you set the 0EV, -2EV, +2EV?

drbarrymary Loc: No. Carolina, Florida

Forgot to mention I have the Nikon D-600 with the 28-300 Nikkor lens!

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

drbarrymary wrote:

Can you tell me how you set the 0EV, -2EV, +2EV?

I don't have the D600. So, I don't want to guess. Consult your manual - if you have one.