Natural-looking HDR
May 27, 2012 06:30:22 #
A friend is nearing completion of a renovation of an MGA. I wanted to take a shot of the car in the garage, but couldn't find an exposure that would show detail in the highlights and shadows, so I tried HDR using Photomatix. Here is one result, which is over-sharpened, I know, but that was deliberate, and I enhanced the colour of the car. It looks good in B&W, but the colour version doesn't look "natural" to me. It still has that slightly weird look that some HDR shots emphasize. Any ideas for how I could improve the colour version without it looking washed out? Feel free to download and play with the shots.
May 27, 2012 11:00:18 #
I don't think it's that far off or weird at all.
Might reduce the saturation on the back wall a bit if it bothers you. Would love to see the front of the car.
BTW, the image is flipped. The steering wheel on the wrong side! (just kidding)
Might reduce the saturation on the back wall a bit if it bothers you. Would love to see the front of the car.
BTW, the image is flipped. The steering wheel on the wrong side! (just kidding)
May 27, 2012 11:02:08 #
May 27, 2012 11:05:57 #
mpep05 wrote:
Adjustment layer in photoshop...
I'm not that familiar with adjustment layers.
What would you adjust?
May 27, 2012 11:07:38 #
mpep05
Loc: Staten Island, NY
When I get home I'll write some of the steps I take. It's a technique I read about that really breathes life back into HDR images.
May 27, 2012 11:10:09 #
May 27, 2012 11:10:36 #
mpep05 wrote:
When I get home I'll write some of the steps I take. It's a technique I read about that really breathes life back into HDR images.
Love to hear about it.
In the meantime, I look for a tutorial on adjustment layers.
I'm embarassed to say how long I've been using photoshop and not even touched that feature.
May 27, 2012 11:25:30 #
mpep05
Loc: Staten Island, NY
OK-
And again- NO EXPERT HERE!!!
Once the image is loaded, go to the LAYERS window. At the bottom is the circle- half black and half white. Those are fill and adjustment layers. Click on the LEVELS adjustment layer.
WHen the window opens, you see the Input Levels "bell curve, with the 3 sliders underneath- left slider is black, center is gray, right is white. Generally (non-expert disclaimer AGAIN) I move the right slider LEFT until a portion of the fading bell curve is outside (to the right) of the indicator. I believe this is a white point adjustment- experts- yes? I do the same to the left slider. Move it to the right until the end of the curve is to the left of the slider. Season to taste. These adjustments really seem to make the images POP again- they lose something in the process.
I hope that was clear enough. It really seems to help when I do it. Sorry for any incorrect lingo or technical aspects. Your mileage may vary lol.
Mike
And again- NO EXPERT HERE!!!
Once the image is loaded, go to the LAYERS window. At the bottom is the circle- half black and half white. Those are fill and adjustment layers. Click on the LEVELS adjustment layer.
WHen the window opens, you see the Input Levels "bell curve, with the 3 sliders underneath- left slider is black, center is gray, right is white. Generally (non-expert disclaimer AGAIN) I move the right slider LEFT until a portion of the fading bell curve is outside (to the right) of the indicator. I believe this is a white point adjustment- experts- yes? I do the same to the left slider. Move it to the right until the end of the curve is to the left of the slider. Season to taste. These adjustments really seem to make the images POP again- they lose something in the process.
I hope that was clear enough. It really seems to help when I do it. Sorry for any incorrect lingo or technical aspects. Your mileage may vary lol.
Mike
May 27, 2012 17:46:08 #
Thanks for all that, and I will be trying out mpep05's technique. In the meantime here are some more shots of the car. It is not complete yet, still needs some badges and trim fitted, but it looks a lot better than it did!
During restoration...
May 27, 2012 18:33:59 #
Love that MGA! A classic beauty.
I had a Spitfire and a TR7. I learned a lot about cars with the Spitfire (I had to). It was so much fun to drive. The TR7 was a disappointment.
I had a Spitfire and a TR7. I learned a lot about cars with the Spitfire (I had to). It was so much fun to drive. The TR7 was a disappointment.
May 27, 2012 18:36:19 #
May 27, 2012 18:41:33 #
Nice shot!!!!! I JUST STARTED PLAYING WITH HDR ALL I END UP WITH THAT IS WAY OVER DONE
May 27, 2012 18:59:37 #
ward5311 wrote:
Why did you put the steering wheel on the wrong side? :roll:
It's on the right side! The left side is the wrong side, and the right side is the right side. I hope that's clear. It's a bit like Who's on first?
May 27, 2012 19:11:56 #
rocar7 wrote:
It's on the right side! The left side is the wrong side, and the right side is the right side. I hope that's clear. It's a bit like Who's on first?
ward5311 wrote:
Why did you put the steering wheel on the wrong side? :roll:
It's on the right side! The left side is the wrong side, and the right side is the right side. I hope that's clear. It's a bit like Who's on first?
LOL! I think Abbot & Costello first used that in cricket before modifying it for the US and substituted baseball.
I spent a couple weeks driving in Ireland. Got used to being on the so-called "correct" side in a short time.
I loved it. Just wish I could have hired a proper sports car to do it right. I think we got a Nissan Micra, a "reasonably-priced car", in Top Gear terms.
May 27, 2012 19:12:50 #
Nice car, nice photographs! Good thing he's not restoring a Bentley! He'd need a larger garage!
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