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High dynamic range imaging

High dynamic range imaging, HDR. Just playing around with it. The photo was taken at dusk and is of the Wabasha bridge which spans the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul. HDR is a photo processing technique where multiple photos are combined. This photo is made from three photos of the same scene. The techique allows the photograph to contain more than the human eye can see.

The technique has gotten more popular. It does take some software and some computing power. I like to think of it as what happens when geeks start using digital cameras.

Posted by Teresa Boardman on 03/18/2008 09:48 AM

Comments (24)

hdr, photo, st paul, mn

24 Comments on High dynamic range imaging

MAR

2008

I love HDR images, Flickr has a lot of great groups on HDR. What program are you using? I have yet to find a software that creates as good of a product as Photoshop.

Michael - this was done with photomatix which doesn't work very well. it mostly makes my computer crash. I am still looking for decent software. Whic version of photoshop are you using?

Margaret Hokkanen has been playing with this as well. I have just started to dabble in it in my quest for the perfect "main listing photo".

Teresa,

I agree. I have used photomatrix but have not been really impressed. I only have photoshop elements which does not do HDR. I am still looking for something better then photomatrix without the photoshop CS expense.

Teresa -

Actually there is an HDR subgroup to the photography group with threads in there - didn't know if you were aware of that.

I have been using Photomatix for my interior shots for awhile now - it allows even lighting across the photo and helps bring out the colors. Love it.

techincally we can't use HDR for listing photos or even photo shop them. I got a fine for doing that.

How did you get a fine for that? Is that a local thing? Beautiful photo by the way.

This method for achieving a panoramic view seems to produce less distortion than that produced by a wide angle lens. I like that.

Ryan - we get fines for breaking rules and photo shopping property photos is against the rules. It has been two years I should check on it again. Our local boards don't really keep up with the times. I some cases proving that a photo was altered would be tough . . on the ohter hand I do seem to get inot trouble rather often. :)

LOL, Thanks for the quick reply. I have seen some of your past work in your blog. You really know how to capture an image.

Teresa, whenever I see your picture pop up on my subscribed list, I know I'm in for a treat. OUr offices' art director does all of our photos, and while our MLS doesn't have any rules that I know of about Photoshop, he is very careful about what he does - and he won't do anything to change the nature of the property - although he's done repairs to the arm of a sofa that a cat had mangled. But the couch didn't covey.

Hi Teresa, I love that! OK, call me stupid, but how picky are they about doctoring photos on the MLS? I don't do things that could change the character of what the eye would see and I don't even have photoshop. Right now I'm ashamed to say that I am using the software available on iphoto....yes I KNOW....I need to upgrade! But a couple of times I've done some moderate color corrections and the like. Mostly to make the rooms look closer to what the eye sees, not the other way around.

Sorry you get into trouble so often - is that the price of being a famous blogger?

Btw, the photo is fabulous! I'd love to try this kind of photography at some point.

Great shot, Teresa.

Very nice results. The photos with HDR are so nice.

Please include this blog on the HDR group as well.

Teresa,

HDR is a great tool - digital photography is a great way to get things done - and I am glad to see discussion here about what is the best and most appropriate use of those tools.

Photography for real estate should accurately represent the home, its features and amenities and the area the home is in.

Steve

Very nice shot Teresa. I need to spend more time with photoshop. Just trying to find it...:)

MAR

2008

Great shot, Teresa, and just more incentive for me to get into HDR. I find it incredible that your board would fine you for producing a better photo. I can understand a prohibition against removing power lines or adding a swimming pool where there isn't one but to use a digital darkroom to enhance a photo seems way over the top to me. I sometimes think our colleagues forget what we're here to do... market homes!

More Details please!

Do you set up the photo with a tripod? Then change the settings on the camera? And then take the best parts of each image?

Lemme know!

I couldn't find how to access the HDR "sub-group". Can someone PM me?

The group is called High Dynamic Range Photography

Teresa, please include this blog on this HDR group

Great! I stop in regularly to view the great photos you have. Thanks

MAR

2008

Teresa- ill say it a gain, you have a great eye for this stuff!

but, i am going to disagree with you...if you go to PFRE on the web, there is a bunch of people who would tell you Photomatix is the way to go! you may have issues with your pc.....there is a program that is now being used as a plug in for lightroom its called ENFUSE

Real Estate photo ethics- I know that we cannot clone out fire hydrants and stuff like that, but HDR fines??? your not changing the colors, your enhancing them...hmmm we must be careful

MAR

2008

Great photos,

Love them!

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