anyone explain the process and how to go about applying this effect? especially to cars

seen a view box photos using this effect and i was curious as to how to go about it...i have photoshop CS2...any other programs that may make that effect easier?

didnt even know where to post this question...its random!

thanks

 

Here's one way:

http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1171&pageID=3983

 

HDR isn't an effect that you apply to a single photo in photoshop or cs2, etc. It involves using special software that I think (I ThInK, ok?) some camera manufacturers provide with more high end cameras, OR, you can buy/download these programs. Some on download.com may even be free (though possibly with less quality). Even then, it's still not an effect that you simply apply to a single photo. And although I said it wasn't an effect applied to a single pic in CS2 and what-not, you may still be able to do HDR images if you have everything else necessary.

Think of it like this, your average everyday camera, set to AUTO, will examine whatever you've pointed it at and decide what image looks best on its own. Because it can only capture one range of lightness/darkness though, it's gonna sacrifice brightness in some areas, as well as darkness in some areas. This leads to having pictures with areas that get sucked into the black hole of some shadow or completely covered by white. HDR (High Dynamic Range) images, involve capturing 3 (and for all I know, you may be able to do more, though I've never heard of it) RAW images (RAW images have something to do with it being unprocessed, dunno exactly, and i think you can do JPEG and stuff too) each set at a different exposure level. Some SLR cameras can do automatic exposure bracketing (AEB), so you don't have to worry about touching the camera and messing up the picture.

-One of these three pictures, will capture at fast exposure, getting a decent image of bright/well lit areas, without letting in too much light, to where they're just a blob of white.

-The second will capture at a "medium?" exposure (can I call it that?). I guess you could compare this to the picture your camera would take when set to AUTO. This gives you a good image of everything in the "mid-range" of light (again, I may be making up my own terms here).

-The third pic, takes a longer exposure allowing more light to pass through from darker areas of your picture, bringing out their color.

Think of it like this:

What your HDR program will do, is take these three images, and process them or combine them into one image, so you bring out all the colors and stuff, making it look more natural and sometimes, JUST PLAIN AWESOME.

So instead of taking one of...

You get this:

Your overall result is a pic where your grass is greener, sky is a more rich blue, clouds show up better, car color (or the color of ANY and EVERYTHING for that matter) just seems more vibrant.

I'll get the link to a thread in the tC forum where people went into a little more detail about this. Cuz all I've given you is my simple minded 17 y/o understanding of it

 

I hope that explanation does it for you lol. After I posted it originally I went back and edited it about 375642890 times cuz I would see things I left out or just didn't explain right lol.

SLR's may not be the only type of cameras with AEB but I have yet to see one. If you have a Canon, see if there is a CHDK add-on for your particular model. I have yet to try it out on my Canon Powershot A720 but I know there is a program available.

 

oh yea you explained it in enough detail and i also checked out the site listed above Thanks for the Info.. ...i do graphic design for a living so i wanted to know if it was an effect capable by photoshop or an exposer/apeture setting type thing

yea i have a canon powershot myself and i may try and see if i can replicate this soon and take a crack at it with my car...i'd like a nice shot like those ive seen of it that way..

again thank you sooooo MUCH for the info i'll study into it a bit more when i get home.. *shhh* is at work...