Voices from within

HDR Imaging: Attempt #1

I decided to use Photomatix Pro (trial version) for my first experiment. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range.

From wikipedia:

HDR imaging is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminances between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods

Where do I begin?
Before I can use Photomatix to produce a HDR photograph, I would need at least 3 photographs of the same scene. The 3 photographs will vary in their exposure settings. As such, I would need to produce one photograph with the highest exposure (very bright), normal exposure and lowest exposure (very dark). I can do this by setting the Auto-exposure Bracketing function on D-zai to capture +-2EV in 3 continuous shots. One would have to manually do this with a DSLR that does not have the Auto-exposure Bracketing function - set to 0EV, capture first shot; set to +2EV, capture second shot; set to -2EV, capture the last shot; and finally depend on the software to align the images.

The preparation:

Sample output (stamped with 'Photomatix' as I am using the trial version):

Not quite satisfied with both these resulting images. I'll need to fiddle with this more!

Oh, and while doing photo editing, I constantly find it a little difficult performing the task on a 15.4" monitor haha. I need a bigger, bigger screen :D