Two HDRs
 

Shot these today. I know not everyone can relate to HDRs but I must admit they provide you with some interesting effects.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...9_7_5_HDRf.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3..._HDR1-Edit.jpg

Came out pretty damn good! Gives the X's paint a real depth. I really need to get a tripod so I can get some HDR shots with my DSLR... but I'm slacking on that due to many things higher in priority.

If its bright enough outside, you can shoot HDRs without a tripod.... this HDR of the Canadian parliament buildings WAS done without a tripod.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1353/...1c7f2f93_o.jpg

wow that is all i have to say, great pictures! :)

Yeah but my hands aren't that steady, even with continuous shooting... I've tried! I'll have better luck with the tripod and remote. (at least I already have the wireless remote for it)

WOW, I have a Nikon D40, i know it doesn't have active D lighting like the D5000, so can I use existing photos I have taken and make them better, or do I really need to shoot multiple exposure photos and merge them, I can't go back in time to "retake" the photos. I don't know a lot about HDR, but am interested in learning, any recommended free software to try?

Read the tutorials on Stuck In Customs HDR Photography and see his work.

Then download Photomatix here: HDR photo software & plugin for Lightroom, Aperture & Photoshop - Tone Mapping, Exposure Fusion & HDR Imaging for photography. The demo version puts a watermark on your finished HDR photos, but you can play around and see if you like it before you buy it. Make sure to use the discount coupon on the stuckincustoms website if you do buy it.

My D40 didn't make the list of recommendations, but I will try it anyways, thanks so much for the links, those photos are super awesome, if I can make one photo like that, maybe I can convince my wife to let me get D300!;)

OK here's what I've learned on HDR to date:

- I use Photomatix. I have CS3 and CS4, tried using their HDR built-in features yet couldn't get as good results as with Photomatix.

- I have been able to 'cheat' the process by using a single RAW image and making 2 'clones' 2 stops over and 2 stops under and merging the 3 photos into HDR but the results are not as 'rich' compared to when 3 different shots were used.

- On the tripod issue. This is to help ensure that the photos you are merging have minimal shift between shots. If its bright enough -meaning exposures are short enough - you may get away without a tripod. The SECRET here is to use your camera's EXPOSURE bracketing feature... (Sorry wullaby, I think Nikon removed that feature from the D40, it was on the D70). I set bracketing for 5 exposures at 1 stop intervals and use the -2, 0, +2 shots (discarding the -1 and +1). Camera set to continuous. It will stop after the 5th shot.

You will need to 'play' around with the Photomatix settings. I find each situation to be different. Silver Gray cars look great in HDR.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...3A1001_9_7.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...n/X5HDR-11.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ics/X5Hood.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/gbyln/wash02.jpg

:iagree: with everything he said!

I use Photomatix. I am learning. I shoot with a D70, which has bracketing. I can do 0/-2/+2 and set it on continuous shooting, it works well. I don't have the option of 5 automatic bracket shots, just 2 or 3.

I have used a tripod, and handheld. Not hard to hand hold it with reasonable light. The program matches features pretty well to fit the three shots together, and crops automatically.

There are so many settings in Photomatix that you need to play with it. A lot.

You don't need a D300 (as nice as they are). A D90 is a great upgrade from your D40, and you can spend the difference on lenses.