How to Create HDR Images

The software I will be demonstrating for making HDR images is Photomatix Pro. There are other pieces of software out there, but I have found Photomatix to be the easiest to use.

Step 1

Take bracketed photos of your subject. You can find the bracketing option in your camera settings. On a Canon it is called 'AEB' (Auto Exposure Bracketing), on a Nikon I think it is called 'Multiple Exposures'. Canon cameras take 3 bracketed photos, but only a minimum of 2 are needed. Although not strictly necessary a tripod is recommended for best results.

Step 2

Load up Photomatix and click the 'Load Bracketed Photos' button (hold down Ctrl to select multiple files). Only two bracketed photos are required as a minimum, but three are better. Click OK.

Step 3

On the 'Preprocessing Options' dialogue window make sure the 'align source images' and the 'crop aligned images boxes are checked. I generally find the align by 'matching features' to be the best option, but if you find the final image is not aligned try by 'horizontal and vertical shift'. (If you have used a tripod there should be no alignment issues).

Step 4

This stage of the process is difficult to teach. I would recommend choosing a result from the preset pictures at the bottom that looks close to your desired and then tweak it from there. I usually find that the colours are a little over saturated so I decrease the saturation and luminosity by a small amount.

Make sure you have the 'preview' box checked so any adjustments that you make can be seen (if your computer is slow you may wish to keep this unchecked, checking it only as needed). The best way to learn about what the individual settings do is just to play around with them and get a feeling for how they affect the picture.

Step 5

When you are happy click the 'process' button. (Again this stage can take a few minutes on slower computers).

The final result is a blend of the original pictures with the foreground, subject and background all correctly exposed.

It is worth noting that if anything moves within the frame while you are taking the bracketed photo there will be some blur in that spot in the final result. For example if you are taking a picture with some trees in the frame and the leaves/branches are moving in the wind, the leaves will be blurred.

Photomatix can be downloaded here: http://www.hdrsoft.com/

To learn more about other options available for making HDR images, or tips and tricks for Canon EOS DSLR cameras (including how to take bracketed photos) please visit my website: http://www.usemycanon.com/

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Tips for Getting Great Images Using A Compact

Compact digital cameras today come with advanced technology. So don't ever think that just because you only have a compact, you won't be able to achieve quality images similar to the DSLRs. In fact, some of the best photos you may have seen were captured using a simple compact camera.

On the internet today, you have a wealth of information available on photography tips. There are websites and blogs some with videos that provide tips and strategies on getting the best shots possible.

In using a compact, the manner of holding the camera is very important. Avoid holding it at arm's length as it is likely to cause the device to shake. To ensure stability, what you can do is bend your arms such that your elbows are braced against your body. It's also a good idea to hold the camera with two hands.

There are other ways you can avoid the common shake issue when using compact digital cameras. One effective method is to lean against a wall or a doorway when shooting. In situations when light is low and your shutter speed slows, you can place your camera on something steady to keep it stable.

Another tip is to use the self-timer so that you avoid shaking the camera when pressing the shutter. And for best results, you can invest in a durable and sturdy small tripod or monopod that you can fit in your camera bag. This way, you can have it handy when you want to take photos on certain occasions whether indoor or outdoor.

Putting your compact camera on automatic mode may not always give you the best results. There are compacts with manual controls allowing you to have more control on the quality of your images. If you don't go for the manual mode, though, there are scene modes available these days in compact cameras such as the focus mode, white balance, colour, sharpening and other settings. These scene modes normally adjust the parameters for the subject you're capturing to achieve the result you desire.

If you're after quality images, one good tip you need to remember is to use the biggest image size. Know that a small resolution may give you more shots but in terms of quality, it's not ideal particularly if you're planning to have your photos printed. What you should do then is bring extra memory cards whenever possible to allow you to capture more great images.

Using the flash is another great way to capture amazing photos. It's a misconception that the flash should only be used when light is low such as when shooting indoors. Keep in mind, however, that you can always use the flash even when shooting outdoors in bright light. This will help you avoid a silhouette in your images. But if you use the flash, it will balance the subject with the background.

Lastly, you can use the macro mode of your compact camera if you wish to get close-up photos. If you're capturing a flower, for instance, it will help you get close by one to two centimeters from your subject.

For information about camera accessories, visit 42photo.com, New York's legendary camera store in business for over 40 years.

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