Trying Out HDR - How Am I Doing?

[DWaviation]

I was trying today again to make some HDR with Photomatix but i have a problem..


After i imported the pictures (6) i get a nice and good HDR shot..

After hit the Process button without changing anything i get this image.. Its blurry and unsharp but the picture before is perfect..


What am i doing wrong?

(copy the picture url to watch it on my site there can you see it better.. the massage board croped it down)

[yankees368]

Not HDR, but I still like it :-)

[wunaladreamin]

Dennis, I think you have an alignment issue when stacking. I don't know how to correct that in Photomatix as I use a different program, but my money would be on that.

[gonzalu]

Nah, Kenny, his problem is he is using a Mac

...kidding...kidding...

Dennis, listen to uncle Kenny. However, I bet you have aligned the images in Photomatix before you process (on import dialog, there are a few boxes that let you align and remove ghosting etc.)

I almost NEVER use the align feature as I am sure I have a rock solid platform when I shoot the brackets and I am anal abotu making sure the rig does NOT move between frames.

If that is not the problem, then check to make sure your strength is not too high or micro-contrast is too low. Those can cause ghosting (see Jason's examples) and make it look like it is blurry.

Do this:

Take each slider and move it to each extreme and go back and forth back and forth between extremes. Then go to the center of each slider and see the results. Keep doing this over and over until you find a good result you like.

Finally, if you're really desperate, I have Photomatix Pro for Mac and Windows and I can try it on your images to see if I notice any problems with the originals or your workflow. My e-mail is in my profile or you can PM me or contact me via my websites... or whatever :-)

[wunaladreamin]

Well, the ghosting in Jason's sunset cruise ship frame really isn't due to sliders as much as it's due to the ship moving and him shooting braketed shots rather than one RAW. Photomatix has a ghosting fix as well I hope? Because it really is a nice frame.

[gonzalu]

I know... my tips were for Dennis anyhow... I see Jason's ghost ship and of course you're right... but I should have said halos and not ghosts when referring to the sliders.

[wunaladreamin]

Next time you get the iron maiden.

[gonzalu]

Yeah... yeah, whatever, always promising cool stuff and never delivering... You A380 lovah!

[wunaladreamin]

THAT'S IT!!! Next time out spotting, I will bring anti-frizz spray and you will have hair like Rapunzel!!!

[yankees368]

Lolol

[gonzalu]

Jason, ever been caught between a Kenny Full Moon and a Mike "I Am With Stupid" T-Shirt? It is PRICELESS!!! Especially if everyone already [there] gets a picture of it

[yankees368]

I can't say that I've had that pleasure

[lijk604]

You don't know what you are missing. I always have a good time spotting with members of this group, but when Kenny & Mike are there...lets just say my sides hurt from all the laughing.

[wunaladreamin]

Manny, let's get the facts right here lol. The shirt said "He likes it in the @$$" and it was pointing at you. I have photographic proof lol!

Jason, I am about 20 mins east of you so if you ever want to go shooting for HDR or anything shoot me a pm or unblock me on twitter lol ;) and hit me up! I can perhaps share some tips and all with you man.