Post processing is only one part of HDR photography. To get great looking HDR images, you not only have to know the editing process, but also how to shoot photographs with the intention of turning them into high dynamic range images. Fortunately, Trey Ratcliff was thoughtful enough to have an assistant take some behind-the-scenes footage of a recent HDR photoshoot in the gorgeous British Virgin Islands. Ratcliff then turned the footage into a concise, but informational tutorial on what to do in the field. Take a look here and we’ll discuss some of the key points:
For this shoot, Ratcliff called on his trusted Nikon D800 with a Nikon 14-24mm, but he does mention using a 28-300mm quite regularly as well. It depends on what he’s trying to capture. In this case, shooting at a wide 14mm, distorts the rocks in the foreground. An effect Ratcliff is looking for because, well, as he says in the clip, “a distorted rock still looks like a rock.” Sometimes a little distortion adds to the photograph, just use a discerning eye.
Next, Ratcliff sets up his camera and tripod in the desired location and adjusts his base exposure, aperture, etc…accordingly. While he’s in the menu of his camera, he sets it to take seven images, each of which range from a -3 to +3 exposure.
He’ll use all seven of those images to create one perfectly exposed image, taking an especially sharp one from the mid-exposure range and masking it in on top of the tone-mapped version, which eliminates the movement of the water.
As you can see in the video clip, taking the actual images to use in HDR photography is relatively uncomplicated, but a little forethought goes a long a way.
Photomatix is the software of choice for most professional HDR photographers. They were nice enough to provide a discount to PictureCorrect readers found here: Photomatix Coupon Code
For Further Training:
Trey Ratcliff has released an extensive HDR photography training course. If you are unfamiliar with his work, Trey created the first HDR photo to ever be hung in the Smithsonian Museum and he has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, NPR, and the BBC. For 15% off, remember to use the discount code picturecorrect at checkout. The Training Course He Offers Can Be Found Here
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This was very good, but I am unclear as to how Trey avoided all the blur he would get in the final results. I heard him say something about a middle shot being masked in, but I’d like to learn how he did that.