Merging dynamic range in CS2

[jeff lapoint]

Hello All!

Quick CS2 question:

anybody have any experience with the HDR automation? Everytime I attempt to merge some pics I get a message saying there is "not enough dynamic range to make a useful merge." I used 6 photos from -1.5ev to +2ev. Seems pretty dynamic to me...Any thoughts/suggestions higly appreciated.

-j

[jeff lapoint]

Hello All!

Quick CS2 question:

anybody have any experience with the HDR automation? Everytime I attempt to merge some pics I get a message saying there is "not enough dynamic range to make a useful merge." I used 6 photos from -1.5ev to +2ev. Seems pretty dynamic to me...Any thoughts/suggestions higly appreciated.

-j
NM, problem solved. You have to actually take several different pictures...you can't process the same RAW files several times and plug it in.

[colourbox]

In case you aren't already aware...there is at least a way to place one single RAW file as multiple smart objects at different settings; from there you can merge them manually.
Click for article (http://photoshopnews.com/2005/05/09/multi-raw-conversions-using-smart-objects/)
Note that the procedure can be automated by the script listed in the article.

[rutt]

I have my own technique for this. See: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=9805

[jeff lapoint]

Thanks for the reply fellas. Very nice technique Rutt and I found the article you linked quite helpful colourbox!

I know there are many blending methods out there and I am familiar with some of them, but the HDR merge automation in CS2 sounded a bit like the blending holy grail when i read about it as you could display a 10 stop dynamic range with it (not that I would want 10 full stops...might look a bit excessive). It is supposed to do this all automatically and select for the best highlight/midtone/lowlight, out of several pics, with a few simple clicks.


For a moment, it sounded like the end of needing to buy filters...especially for someone like myself who only shoots landscapes occasionally...

-j