HDR vs Bracketing
Aug 8, 2022 10:28:04 #
Wannabe63,
I’m not sure anyone answered your question. So I will try.
Bracketing is taking multiple frames wile varying an adjustment between frames. There are many types of bracketing such as exposure, flash, focus, DOF.
Bracketing has multiple uses.
HDR uses exposure bracketing and a computer program to combine multiple frames to yield a greater range of exposure than possible when using a single frame.
As to which looks more natural, THAT depends on the artist.
I’m not sure anyone answered your question. So I will try.
Bracketing is taking multiple frames wile varying an adjustment between frames. There are many types of bracketing such as exposure, flash, focus, DOF.
Bracketing has multiple uses.
HDR uses exposure bracketing and a computer program to combine multiple frames to yield a greater range of exposure than possible when using a single frame.
As to which looks more natural, THAT depends on the artist.
Aug 8, 2022 10:31:24 #
pecohen wrote:
I am grappling with trying to understand your ques... (show quote)
I agree that the terminology is garbled since the start of this this thread ... the OP did it in the opening post and some have followed along while others resist.
Given the OPs intended question, the thread title itself is all wrong, and it all goes downhill from there.
Aug 8, 2022 10:51:40 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
JD750 wrote:
Wannabe63, br I’m not sure anyone answered your ... (show quote)
Well said. I will add that some cameras will produce in camera HDR jpegs from several exposures. I find using an external program to be MUCH more flexible. It is also possible to create a HDR image from a single RAW file by creating several tiff "exposures" in post.
Aug 9, 2022 08:24:44 #
mmills79
Loc: NJ
HDR is a form of bracketing (a composite of multiple images having different exposures) but there is more processing involved than simply merging two or more images. For example HDR software also applies tone mapping, ghost reduction, and alignment to form the composite. Typically HDR software over processes the composite, at least IMO. I find if I back off on some of the adjustments like sharpness, contrast, and the over done color adjustments applied in HDR software, I can get very natural images with a higher dynamic range than I could get from post processing a single image. You can take handheld shots but it is best to use a tripod.
Aug 11, 2022 10:55:36 #
Harry0
Loc: Gardena, Cal
User ID wrote:
Bracketing is just culling. You keep the least flawed (aka the most acceptable) frame and discard the rest.
HDR is compositing. The software finds the least flawed (aka best rendered) elements or sections from every frame and builds a final single image using those elements.
To your taste, for the images that youve made, 2 stops works best. Thaz "medium steep" but if the shot needs it, it needs it. The example below is that type of scene:
.
HDR is compositing. The software finds the least flawed (aka best rendered) elements or sections from every frame and builds a final single image using those elements.
To your taste, for the images that youve made, 2 stops works best. Thaz "medium steep" but if the shot needs it, it needs it. The example below is that type of scene:
.
I have, om occasion, edited each of the files from bracketing before merging.
Lotsa work, interesting results.
Aug 11, 2022 11:49:13 #
Harry0 wrote:
I have, om occasion, edited each of the files from bracketing before merging.
Lotsa work, interesting results.
Lotsa work, interesting results.
If the editing does lens correction, and if there is slight camera movement between shots, it is possible that the images might not align perfectly.
Aug 11, 2022 18:04:27 #
fetzler wrote:
Well said. I will add that some cameras will produce in camera HDR jpegs from several exposures. I find using an external program to be MUCH more flexible. It is also possible to create a HDR image from a single RAW file by creating several tiff "exposures" in post.
Isnt that simply layering your edits ?
Aug 11, 2022 18:06:16 #
Aug 11, 2022 18:07:46 #
JimH123 wrote:
If the editing does lens correction, and if there is slight camera movement between shots, it is possible that the images might not align perfectly.
Not perfect ? Not a problem.
Aug 11, 2022 18:14:55 #
wannabe63 wrote:
I reviewed past UHH discussions concerning the topic and never quite read anything that addresses my question. I'm trying to wrap my brain around these two techniques. Which one produces the most natural looking image? I've experimented with both and it seems like bracketing provided the best exposure, IMO. I used a D750 and took 5 shots using 2 exposure stops between each. Isn't HDR a form of bracketing? So why the difference in IQ?
Bracketing is taking exposures at various EV. These can be merged, or simply used to provide a selection of a single image.
HDR merge is merging the bracketed exposures into a single image.
Tone-mapping is the process of mapping one set of colors to another to simulate the appearance of high dynamic range images.
High dynamic range has to be converted into a range that is viewable; the trick is to make that conversion look realistic. There are methods that result in realistic images, and there are messages that result in unrealistic images. Tone-mapping is one of those techniques that often produces unrealistic images, and has often been confused with HDR.
Aug 11, 2022 21:17:39 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
If you think movement can destroy your HDR, consider using Photomatix. I have for years and found it will compensate. The today's version will fix even a person walking.
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