How To HDR Photo Tutorial

Erik writes:

“I always loved photography but never had the money to get the right camera. Now I have my very first DSLR. ‘Photography’ is my passion, it gives me a new eye to see beautiful things around us.”

Holding the camera steady

“When I learned photography, I was told that one should not shoot handheld if the shutter speed is less than 1/30s. Since then, I have proven that tip false by taking clear pictures at speeds as low as 1/4s.

All it takes is a bit of concentration and proper breathing, even if you do not have a steady surface to lean against. Keep your left hand under the lens and concentrate on keeping it as steady as possible. Before you click the shutter, take a breath and hold it as you depress the button. If you are not used to this technique, it will take a few times to get it right.”

When shooing hand-held HDR pictures without a tripod breathing is the most important factor to an unblurred photo. Erik mentions holding your breath in before taking the pictures, but the same can be said about breathing out as well. The main thing to consider, is relaxing your body to focus entirely on taking the pictures.

You can find more of Erik’s HDR photography on Flickr.

What techniques do you use to take HDR pictures without using a tripod?

This example of an HDR photo compared to a regular picture. I generated the 32-bit HDR image and then tone-map it with Photomatix. Then I’ll add the original picture back in Photoshop using blending modes, cross processing actions, and sharpening to finish it off.

Here are the 5 most important things to taking and processing a perfect HDR picture.

1. Take 3 photos using automatic exposure bracketing
2. Set your ISO 400 or below to prevent noise
3. Use a sturdy tripod to prevent camera shake between pictures
4. Use an shutter-release cable
5. Use the middle (0ev) photo as a “realism guide” when tone-mapping to keep from over-processing

The Canon Rebel DSLR is the most widely used DSLR today. Some of the best HDR photographers use this camera. It’s affordable, versatile and not over-burdened with features. Follow the following directions to get started taking HDR pictures:

1. Set the Shooting Mode to P
2. Set the Multiple Exposure/Self timer button to Multiple Exposures
3. In the Menu, scroll right one frame to the (Camera icon) 2 menu.
4. The first setting is AEB (Automatic Exposure Bracketing). Select this setting and use the right directional button to widen the bracketing to the widest setting. It should now have a white indicator under -2, under 0, and under +2.
5. Put your camera on a sturdy tripod. Frame your composition. Press and hold the shutter button (to take the pictures). When it has taken all three pictures release the shutter button.

Now you need to process the photos using HDR Software.

A few days ago Amazon.com accidentally posted the updated specs for the new Canon 40D. The new camera has a much faster rapid shot that should improve the Automated Exposure Bracketing (AEB) setting for taking HDR pictures much quicker. Read the full details on Engadget.