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HDR Photography -- Before and After
Before and After HDR
May 25, 2020 14:14:28   #
tasutherland Loc: Lunenburg, NS, Canada
 
This is an interesting forum. I started converting some of my photos to HDR about 10 years ago (or more). I am not a fan of overcooked images but I feel that for some images, a definite improvement is possible.

As always I start with a version of Capture NX (NX2 for images from the D800, NX-D for images from the 750) to do basic pre-processing. I correct WB, crop or straighten the image and remove dust spots before creating four copies at ±2ev and ± 1ev. I save all the files in TIFF format at 16 bit.

I use HDR Efex Pro 2 from the Nik Collection for merging the five images into a single HDR image. The nice thing about the Nik Collection is that they can either be used as plug-ins for PS/LR or as standalone application. Most of the time though, I use them with PS so I can re-edit if I need to.

Here are some pictures I took while visiting the town of Brescia in Northern Italy a few years ago. As I mention, I am not a fan of the overcooked look, I really try to make the final image as realistic as possible. I was supposed to visit there again in April, but that didn't happen for obvious reasons.

Original#1
Original#1...
(Download)

HDR Version #1
HDR Version #1...
(Download)

Original#2
Original#2...
(Download)

HDR Version #2
HDR Version #2...
(Download)

Original#3
Original#3...
(Download)

HDR Version #3
HDR Version #3...
(Download)

Original#4
Original#4...
(Download)

HDR Version #4
HDR Version #4...
(Download)

Original#5
Original#5...
(Download)

HDR Version #5
HDR Version #5...
(Download)

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May 26, 2020 07:39:18   #
timm27 Loc: Earth
 
I enjoy the originals of #2 & #5.
Well done HDR !
👍👍👍👍

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May 26, 2020 07:43:01   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
Nice, but your big logo is distracting.

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May 26, 2020 07:52:52   #
tasutherland Loc: Lunenburg, NS, Canada
 
Thanks for the feedback, something that can be easily fixed for sure.

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May 26, 2020 09:27:17   #
MWojton Loc: Yardley, PA
 
I like the before and after. For sure, the HDR brings out the shadows and detail without being overdone

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May 26, 2020 21:01:03   #
Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA
 
Haven't done any HDR PP yet. Looking here to learn. I like your #2 most of the time. I could imagine myself using HDR as you did for a subtle 'improvement' in finishing some images. Thanks.

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May 30, 2020 11:52:43   #
JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA
 
tasutherland wrote:
This is an interesting forum. I started converting some of my photos to HDR about 10 years ago (or more). I am not a fan of overcooked images but I feel that for some images, a definite improvement is possible.

As always I start with a version of Capture NX (NX2 for images from the D800, NX-D for images from the 750) to do basic pre-processing. I correct WB, crop or straighten the image and remove dust spots before creating four copies at ±2ev and ± 1ev. I save all the files in TIFF format at 16 bit.

I use HDR Efex Pro 2 from the Nik Collection for merging the five images into a single HDR image. The nice thing about the Nik Collection is that they can either be used as plug-ins for PS/LR or as standalone application. Most of the time though, I use them with PS so I can re-edit if I need to.

Here are some pictures I took while visiting the town of Brescia in Northern Italy a few years ago. As I mention, I am not a fan of the overcooked look, I really try to make the final image as realistic as possible. I was supposed to visit there again in April, but that didn't happen for obvious reasons.
This is an interesting forum. I started converting... (show quote)


Great job. The images seem natural and don't have an over cooked look to them. I so dislike those images that are so over done that they scream out HDR. These do not. Much more pleasing to look at.

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Jun 4, 2020 11:31:00   #
DickC Loc: NE Washington state
 
Very nice photos, thanks for sharing!!

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Jul 14, 2020 19:50:11   #
10MPlayer Loc: California
 
The test of a good HDR for me is whether it looks realistic or not. If I can tell it's HDR then I generally don't like it. There are exceptions. Some, very few skillfully done ones, are stunning when slightly overdone. But it takes a real artist to know where to draw the line.

There isn't a whole lot of difference between your originals and the HDRs. You have brought out some detail in the shadows and it looks realistic. Good job.

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Jan 16, 2021 13:58:52   #
joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
 
Sure lovely! Worth the extra time⭐⭐⭐⭐

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HDR Photography -- Before and After
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