How can I create natural-looking HDR images with vivid color but no halos?
Asked 6/21/2011
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2 answers
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I like HDR images that look vivid and detailed without the over-processed look or obvious halos. The examples I’ve seen seem to keep a natural appearance while still showing strong color and contrast. What techniques or workflow help achieve this style? Is it best done with HDR software, manual exposure blending, in-camera HDR, or some combination?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
5
I don't think you will find secrets in how to do this technique. HDR in my experience is a lot of pushing the values up and down untill you find something you like. It is different for each image set and each location shot. Photomatix Pro or Photoshop Merge to HDR are good places to start.
Once you have the software portion, create the HDR, then bring the rendered image back into Photoshop to do touchup work. You specifically asked how the halo effect was left out, and that can be done post HDR production if you simply mask one of the original images back in. It can be time consuming but worth the effort.
I would guess that a polarizer was used in the creation of these images, and the HDR effect also brings that out. The vivid colors are very typical of any HDR so I don't think anything special was done here.
I wish I could give you more details, but this photographer looks like he is quite good at HDR and it is not something I specialize in.
Great HDR examples by the way, the first 2 that is, the third is kind of bland I think.
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
15y ago
0
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A natural HDR look usually comes more from careful blending and restrained processing than from any “secret” setting.
Based on the answers, two common approaches are:
- Bracket exposures on a tripod and merge them in software such as Photomatix, Photoshop, or Luminance HDR.
- Manually blend exposures—often just a darker exposure for the sky and a brighter one for the foreground. This often gives a more natural result with fewer halos.
To avoid halos and keep the image believable:
- Don’t push tone-mapping too far.
- Keep some real shadows instead of flattening everything.
- If halos appear, mask parts of an original exposure back in during post-processing.
- Do final touch-up after the HDR merge rather than relying only on automatic settings.
A circular polarizer (CPL) may also help deepen blue skies and increase cloud contrast, which can add to the vivid look.
If your camera has in-camera HDR, it can be a simple starting point, but for the best control, exposure bracketing plus software blending is usually better. The exact settings vary by scene, so expect some trial and error.
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