<p>Many people in the photography industry drool of HDR (high Dynamic Range) I am not one of them. I know its purpose and how to use it. 95% of HDR photography is done incorrectly. When done right the result are stunning. With photomodes exposure, brightness and contrast (technically all controlling exposure) we can create these images. </p>
<p> Here is an example of a nice HDR: </p>
<p><img height="258" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/2252782206_228eac4238.jpg" width="500" /> </p>
<p>and a bad one:</p>
<p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2158395487_f0d5dbef7f_b.jpg" width="500" /> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>HDR done incorrectly can make you image look like Dr. Suess vomited on it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>What you need to to is take pictures at 3 exposures. One Over exposed (exposing for shadow/low-mid tone detail) another as a base exposure (correct exposure) and an under exposed shot (exposing for detail in highlights, being sure that the very smallest bright spot reaches 255)</p>
<p>You will need Photoshop or Photomatix <a href="http://www.hdrsoft.com/">
http://www.hdrsoft.com/ </a><br />
</p>
<p>typically with a camera you bracket in stops. well we arent measuring in stops in forza so we have to just adjust. figure 10-15 points on your exposure. this all depends on your light ratios and how contrasty the light is. (pretty complicated, Wikipedia "Light Ratios") </p>
<p>My tests on the test track out in the open with a neutral gray car gave me about 15 clicks on my exposure setting. for this demonstration i will reset my controls to default and go from there. </p>
<p> ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR SHOT DONT MOVE THE CAMERA <br />
</p>
<p> my first shot is my Base at default settings</p>
<p><img src="http://www.blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Andrew/forza/Forza34.jpg" width="500" /> </p>
<p>My next shot is my over shot with exposure set to 65</p>
<p><img src="http://www.blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Andrew/forza/Forza35.jpg" width="500" /> </p>
<p>my under shot is with my exposure value at 35.</p>
<p> <img src="http://www.blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Andrew/forza/Forza36.jpg" width="500" /></p>
<p>your settings may vary and for demonstration im not adjusting anything else. so that i dont confuse anyone. obviously for best results you must adjust your settings for the desired look.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>now that you have your three images download them to your computer and open in either photoshop or photomatix. I will be using photomatix as it does a better job. the program is pretty straight forwad open up, select your images and tell it to generate an image. once it gives you that hit the button that says tone mapping. you will then be given a tool bar of sliders to adjust. adjust your images to the desired effect and hit process. it will give you the processed image and then go to file>save as and save the file. you can now edit this file in photoshop if you wish. </p>
<p>to do the HDR processing in photoshop is a little tricky. you basically open all the files in photoshop, go to file>automate>merge to HDR. then use opened files and follow along with it and see what you get. photoshops HDR tools just arent as powerful. </p>
<p> now if you wish you can process the files in photoshop like i mentioned to edit them any way you please. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>the end result is something like this. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Andrew/forza/Forza34_5_6_tonemapped.jpg" /> </p>
<p> original</p>
<p><img src="http://www.blankmediagroup.com/Pictures/Andrew/forza/Forza34.jpg" width="500" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you have any questions just ask, if i were at work and on a real computer instead of this crummy old Mac book pro maybe i could do something a little nicer. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, hope you enjoy and if you are still confused just ask. I can in time add some more detailed instructions with screen shots of the programs and such. Possibly tomorrow. <br />
</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
