Some friends here have asked about doing tone-mapping (HDR) with a single image. I found a tutorial online about how to do it, and now I often use it when I haven’t gotten two or more bracketed exposures.
The only way I know how to do it is with the Photomatix Pro software (there are other ways to do HDR, but I don’t know anything about how they work).
For this method, the first step is to make a copy of the image, and place it in a separate folder, all its own. I keep a folder on my desktop just for this purpose. Then when you open Photomatix, click the tab (up at the menu bar) for “Automate,” then select “Batch Processing.”
(Note: when you get finished, remember you will need to either delete or move everything out of that folder, or start a brand new folder, the next time you want to use this method.)
Tick the top two boxes in the menu (Generate HDR and Tone Map).
Where it says “Select” choose “All.” Under “Source” choose Selection By “Folder.” Where it says to “Find Source Folder,” let it choose the folder where you have your image. For “Destination,” choose “Created Under Source Folder.” Then just click “Run” up at the top. When it is finished, click “Close,” then go back to the menu bar and click File > Open and go to the folder, and select the file that has “HDR” at the end of its name.
After that, the tone-mapping method is the same as if you had asked it to process more than one bracketed image.
Here’s a link to a video tutorial. Caution: I haven’t watched the whole thing, but from the beginning, it sounds as if it’s probably the same method.
MarianaEwa
I only have one picture when I do a HDR. Single and in JPEG.
I use a tutorial I found in a Photomagazin in Sweden but it is in Swedish :( but I have found a simular in English.
Fake HDR
I dont do exactly in that order but simular.
You could look in my HDR Gallery for my work.
I have made a Photoshop Actions of my tutorial so that I dont have to put in all the numbers every time. I will gladly upload it if it had worked but I think a file with .atn doesn´t work to upload.
Delany Dean:
Thanks, Mariana!
Larry Davis
I take the single image and change the darkening or lighting on Picasa 3.
Then I export them from Picasa to a folder in Explore.
This will give me as many images as I want.
Then I go into Dynamic-PhotoHDR and go through the normal process.
.
Otherwise, if you have Photo Impact 12, there is a HDR section, which allows you to make a single image into HDR without having to duplicate it..
Both ways turn out great, as you can see by my latest Sailing Ship shots, as these were old 35mm prints that I had to duplicate on Picasa before I did the HDR with them.
The only drawback is that, they can only be sold as a card, as the size is kept small.
Delany Dean:
Thanks, Larry!
And, yes, I failed to mention one of those other methods, i.e., making two more images out of the single one, over- and under-exposing them so they can be run through the HDR software in the normal fashion. I have always wondered whether that is in any way superior to the single-image method. I ask the question because it seems as if you are not really adding anything to the original image by manipulating the “exposure” by way of editing software; in other words, you aren’t getting the kind of additional information that you do get when taking separate bracketed exposures. Does my question make sense?
Larry Davis
Yes, I agree.
I feel that with HDR, it just adds depth into the image, and gives it a whole new feeling.
I don’t agree that you are changing it, just enhancing it.
But whatever we do, it’s up to us to look into it, and make it our own.
If other people don’t like it, than tuff ti**ies. ( it’s art regardless )
Can you see where I’m coming from ????
Delany Dean:
Totally, Larry! I’m coming from a very similar place…
Agnes McGuinness
Thank you for this very interesting information, Delaney, (and Larry too, as I use PhotoImpact 12 and Dynamic-Photo HDR). I rarely use a tripod. Just a form of laziness, I suppose, so any hints on doing single shot hdr are very welcome. As for making more images out of one shot, sometimes it works better for me, sometimes not, depending on the image, and the effect I wish to achieve. Agnes xx
Delany Dean:
That’s cool, Agnes. I rarely use my tripod (just can’t imagine carrying it around with me), but I can usually get good hand-held auto-bracketed shots with my big camera. I just can’t do it worth a damn, however, with my little Lumix, I suppose because it is so light.
Crowmanic
I often use Dynamic-Photo HDR though I am familiar with the Photomatix. The Dynamic product allows a single image (fhdr) to be dragged-drop from original photo onto the “open” program, and from there it is a simple process to see a thumb view, of initial option, and proced with “tone-mapping” manually fine-tuning to taste, or take what it kicks-up on initial auto… often I am “snapping” photos by hand when I’m out-about, so have no tripod nor time to set-up, and do bracketting which requires a "steady (no-shake) image/s to prevent the blur… which is the goal for true HDR result using 3 different exposures-into-one… the improvised method of making and under and over from original then blending them in PS or similar is a handy alternative at a pinch, and the built-in HDR option in the Corel Paint Shop Pro or similar, tends to not be my preferred option.
Nice topic to share… my vote is for the Dynamic-Photo product in the 1st instance… user-friendly, and some excellent results can be achieved from the single-image start.
Delany Dean:
Thanks, Crowmanic, this is great info and provides a good perspective on the various choices. I’m often out taking shots with my little Lumix, which is just no good at auto-bracketing (you can only get +/- 1 f stop, and it is way too light-weight, and slow, to hand-hold steadily for 3 exposures). I’m happy with what I can often get using Photomatix and a single exposure, and it’s also good to know that there are other (very workable) ways to do this, too.
RicAlexander
Thanks Delany, I will check this out later.
HDRIbyGrant
I have been testing out a number of new methods of duplicating a single image in camera.
I use a Nikon D200 and pseudo HDR bracketing sequence can be done as follows.
Shoot single images in usually folder/s in RAW make sure your highlight is not clipped.
Use image overlay to produce 2 more RAW images with the toned down highlights and the boosted shadow detail.
Import to your computer to tone map in your HDR processor.