HDR Guidelines Part 3

Took a while but here they are.  The first parts are in August!

After Capture Processing


-Transfer images from card to computer storage media

-Opinions differ regarding processing raw files or processing TIFF.

-My experience is that most simple images will do ok processing the raw files.

-As the scene becomes more challenging, process the raw files and create TIFFs.

-The Lightroom Photomatix Plug-in will create a TIFF

Do not touch exposure when processing the images!
Old School Bridge/Photoshop Method

-Select all source files in Bridge

-Go to the menu bar and find Tools>Photoshop>Load files into Photoshop Layers

-Mask away

Old School Lightroom/Photoshop Method

-Select all source files on filmstrip or Library Grid View

-Right click, scroll, and choose Open as Layers in Photoshop
Bridge/ACR TIFF Creation – First Method

-Select all source raw files in Bridge

-Double click one of them and open ACR

-Hit the “Select All” button in the upper left of the ACR dialog

-Set Tone Curve to Linear and Sharpening Amount to “0”

-Synchronize all images

-Configure full size TIFFs

-I typically save the TIFFs to an“HDR Source TIFF” Folder
Lightroom TIFF Export

-Select all source raw files on the Filmstrip or Library Grid View

-In the Develop module, set the Tone Curve to Linear and Sharpening Amount to “0”

-Synchronize and return to the Library

-From the left panel of the Library module, click Export

-Configure full size TIFF files

-I typically do not reimport the TIFF files

Lightroom Plug-In

-Select all source raw files on the Filmstrip or Library Grid View

- In the Develop Module, set the Tone Curve to Linear and Sharpening Amount to “0” (This is easily set as a Preset.)

-Synchronize and return to the Library

-Right click and scroll down to Photomatix

-Click

-I normally reimport and stack the final processed image

-Photomatix Method to Combine

-Open the program and click “Generate HDR image”

-Select the image files and click “OK”

-Select options as desired

-Photomatix will convert

-Save the HDR as a Radiance file

-Photomatix Method to Process

-Open the radiance file

-Click “Tone Mapping”

-Select method

-Tone Compressor for a more photo-realistic look (sometimes)

-Details Enhancer for more control and art feel

-Change sliders to taste

-Click the “Process” button

-Save the output

-Process again as required

-Repeat process saving each time
-Photomatix alternate method to Process

-This works extremely well for single images processed multiple times

-With only one source file process for highlights, shadows, and midtones. Save each version and then continue from here.

-Open Photomatix

-Click “Exposure Blending,” select the source images, and click “Ok.”

-Choose your options and move sliders to taste

-Click the “Process” button

-Save the output
Finish

-Photomatix Output is still in a somewhat “raw” state. Take the result back to Lightroom or Photoshop and process.