I say HDR-ish because there is not a true HDRi being created, but rather a final output image is being blended together from multiple exposures (using a fancy algorithm and what I suspect is some magical kung-fu).
First, though, a quick recap. I talked about creating HDRi's in my previous post about doing it entirely with F/OSS tools. The intention there was to create a single HDRi scene that contained more luminance data than could be captured with any camera in a single shot. The problem was, you had no means of visualizing this high range of data.
Showing posts with label HDR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HDR. Show all posts
HDR Photography with F/OSS Tools (LuminanceHDR)
I was absolutely not going to bother covering this topic. Then I started a conversation with +Dan Tauro in this thread on the GIMP Users Community in G+...
The reason is that I've had mostly a love/hate relationship with HDR images (well, tonemapping HDR more than the HDR themselves). I think the problem is that it's really easy to create really bad HDR images that the photographer thinks look really good. I know because I've been there:
Don't judge me, it was a weird time in my life...
The best term I've heard used to describe over-processed images created from an HDR is "clown vomit" (which would also be a great name for a band, by the way).
They are easily spotted with some tell-tale signs such as the halos at high-contrast edges, the unrealistically hyper-saturated colors that make your eyes bleed, and a general affront to good taste.
In fact, while I'm putting up embarrassing images that I've done in the past, here's one that scores on all the points for a crappy image from an HDR:
Crap-tastic! Of course, the allure here is that it provides first timers a glimpse into something new, and they feel the desire to crank every setting up to 11 with no regards to good taste or aesthetics.
If you take anything away from this post, let it be this: "Turn it DOWN". If it looks good to you, then it's too much.
The reason is that I've had mostly a love/hate relationship with HDR images (well, tonemapping HDR more than the HDR themselves). I think the problem is that it's really easy to create really bad HDR images that the photographer thinks look really good. I know because I've been there:
Don't judge me, it was a weird time in my life...
The best term I've heard used to describe over-processed images created from an HDR is "clown vomit" (which would also be a great name for a band, by the way).
They are easily spotted with some tell-tale signs such as the halos at high-contrast edges, the unrealistically hyper-saturated colors that make your eyes bleed, and a general affront to good taste.
In fact, while I'm putting up embarrassing images that I've done in the past, here's one that scores on all the points for a crappy image from an HDR:
Crap-tastic! Of course, the allure here is that it provides first timers a glimpse into something new, and they feel the desire to crank every setting up to 11 with no regards to good taste or aesthetics.
If you take anything away from this post, let it be this: "Turn it DOWN". If it looks good to you, then it's too much.
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