Introduction
In our article “Horseshoe Bend: How It Was Shot,” we explained how we got this shot of Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. In this article, we will discuss how to prepare the 3 RAW exposures that create this final HDR image. In addition, we will go over how to export these 3 RAW exposures into Photomatix for HDR processing.
HOW TO PREPARE RAW FILES
To prepare photos for HDR processing, we need to first prepare the 3 RAW files. You should start with them at Adobe’s original default values, and be sure to double check that all three images are totally reset, not just one of the images, otherwise your HDR will turn out weird.
White Balance
One of the main things that you want to get as perfect as possible BEFORE creating an HDR is your white balance, because slight errors in tint or temperature are much more difficult to correct in JPG, TIF, and PSD images compared to a RAW image. So, bring up the brightest (or median) exposure and check the overall colors. Use Tint and Temperature in tandem (say that ten times fast!) to get all three exposures in the right place.
The Auto White Balance in Lightroom 4 can often do a really good job, especially for outdoor shots in the daytime, but be sure to sync your WB across all three images if you try to use this option.
Noise Reduction
Next, double check for noise by zooming into the image. Zoom into the darker areas of the photo to see if you need a little bit of noise reduction. (Remember that when you shoot in full RAW format, you are bound to get more noise than when you shoot in medium RAW or JPG.)
In Lightroom 4, the Noise Reduction settings are under the Detail Panel, which you can expand and collapse by pressing “Ctrl + 5.” For this image, we are going to set the Noise Reduction to 20.
Keep in mind that this step is still necessary even if you’re shooting at your base ISO and are used to getting very “clean” images. Why? Because HDR photography is all about manipulating highlights and shadows, and even your lowest ISO images will have some noise deep in their shadows. Of course this is the whole reason we bracket exposures, but even then your shadows could probably use 10-30 in Luminance Noise Reduction.
Sync Noise Reduction Settings
After we adjusted the Noise Reduction settings for the shadows of the brightest exposure, we need to sync these settings over to the other 2 exposures. Select the other 2 exposures and press “Ctrl + S.” This will bring up the Synchronize Settings Dialogue Box. Since we only changed the Noise Reduction settings of the brightest exposure, click on “Check None” and then check the box next to “Noise Reduction.” Then, click “Synchronize.”
As a side note, we use Lightroom 4 to reduce the overall noise of the images before bringing the photos into Photomatix because Lightroom 4 is a much better RAW processor than Photomatix.
HOW TO EXPORT TO PHOTOMATIX
Now that we have prepared these 3 RAW files for export, it is time to export them to Photomatix. Right-click on your images and select “Export” from the dropdown menu. Then, select “Photomatix Pro.”
Once you select “Photomatix Pro,” the Settings for Processing Exported Files Dialogue Box will appear. Do not check the box next to “Align images” since we shot this image on a tripod. Check the box next to “Remove ghosts” because there could potentially be some movement in the water and we want Photomatix to find that and automatically blend it smoothly. Everything else will stay defaulted, so click on “Export” at the bottom of the dialogue box. Once you click on “Export,” your images will be brought up into Photomatix, ready for our next step!
CONCLUSION
We hope you have enjoyed this tutorial on how to prepare RAW files and export them for HDR processing! Stay tuned for our next tutorial on how to create the HDR “blend” image of Horseshoe Bend using these images in Photomatix.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO HDR
- 1.1 – Introduction to HDR
- 1.2 HDR Workshop Introduction
- 1.3 What is HDR?
- 1.4 What is a Stop of Light
- 1.5 Boosting Dynamic Range by Combining Exposures
- 1.6 When Do You Really Need to Shoot HDR Images
- 1.7 Improvements in Technology
- 1.8 Installing the Presets
- 1.9 – What you will Need for HDR Photography
- 1.10 – Tripod
- 1.11 – Remote Shutter Release
- 1.12 –Lens Filter
- 1.13 – Memory Cards
- 1.14 – Backpack
- 1.15 – UNDFIND Bag
- 1.16 – Laptop
- 1.15 – HDR Software
CHAPTER 2: HDR CAMERA SETTINGS
- 2.1 – HDR Camera Settings Introduction
- 2.2 – What is Auto Exposure Bracketing
- 2.3 – How Many Exposures Do You Really Need
- 2.4 – Changing Your Cameras Bracketing Order
- 2.5 – Ceteris Paribus (Shutter Speed Changes)
- 2.6 – Capture All Shots by Shooting in Continuous Modes
- 2.7 – Camera Modes
- 2.8 – Metering Modes
- 2.9 – Timer
- 2.10 – Setting the Correct Median Exposure
- 2.11 – Nailing and Locking the Focus
- 2.12 – In-Camera HDR
- 2.13– In-Camera HDR
CHAPTER 3: HDR CONSIDERATIONS
- 3.1 – HDR Considerations Intro
- 3.2 – Using a Tripod
- 3.3 – Optimal Shutter Speedl
- 3.4 – Optimal Aperture Settings
- 3.5 – Optimal ISO Settings
- 3.6 –Moving Objects and Ghosting
- 3.7 – Using DSLRs with Faster Frame Rates
- 3.8 – Using Mirror Up Mode-Mirror Lockup
- 3.9 – Shooting in RAW vs. JPEG
- 3.10 – Macro Mode with Food Photography
- 3.11 – Clean Your Lenses & Sensor!
- 3.12 – Don’t Forget the Photographic Composition
CHAPTER 4: SALTON SEA, CA
- 4.1 – Salton Sea, CA HDR Introduction
- 4.2 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.1| How it was Shot
- 4.3 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.2| RAW preparation and HDR Export
- 4.4 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 4.5 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 4.6 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.4| Photoshop Layer
- 4.7 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.6| Final Image Processing
Chapter 5: PAGE, AZ
- 5.1 – Page, Arizona HDR Introduction
- 5.2 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 5.3 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 5.4. Horseshoe Bend HDR | Pt.3| HDR Processing in Photomatix Pro
- 5.5 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Adobe Photoshop Import
- 5.6 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 5.7 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
- 5.8. Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 5.9 Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 5.10 Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 5.11– Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.4| Final Image Processing
- 5.12 – Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.5| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 5.13 Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
Chapter 6: MOAB, UT
- 6.1 Moab, Utah HDR Introduction
- 6.2 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 6.3 Moab Utah HDR | Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 6.4 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 6.5 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.4| Processing and Photoshop Import
- 6.6 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 6.7 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
Chapter 7: SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- 7.1 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR Location
- 7.2 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 7.3 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 7.4 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 7.5 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.4| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 7.6 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 7.7 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
- 7.8 Salt Lake City HDR Introduction
- 7.9 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 7.10 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 7.11 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 7.12 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processsing and Photoshop Import
- 7.13 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 7.14 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
- 7.15 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 7.16 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 7.17 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 7.18 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 7.19 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 7.20 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
Chapter 8: SALT LAKE MOUNTAINS, UT
- 8.1 Salt Lake Mountains HDR Introduction
- 8.2 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 8.3 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR
- 8.4 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 8.5 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 8.6 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 8.7 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
- 8.8 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 8.9 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 8.10 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 8.11 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 8.12 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 8.13 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
- 8.14 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.1| How it was Shot
- 8.15 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.2| Single Shot Faux HDR Processing
- 8.16 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.3| Photoshop Panorama Processing
- 8.17 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.4| Final Image Processing
Chapter 9: BRYCE & ZION, UT
- 9.1 Bryce Canyon HDR Introduction
- 9.2 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 9.3 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 9.4 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 9.5 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 9.6 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 9.7 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
- 9.8 Road Side Panorama HDR |Pt.1| How it was Shot
- 9.9 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 9.10 Road Side Panorama HDR |Pt.3| Photoshop Panorama Processing
- 9.11 Road Side Panorama HDR |Pt.4| Final Image Processing
- 9.12
Zion River HDR |Pt.1| Location - 9.13 Zion River HDR |Pt.2| How it was Shot
- 9.14
zion River HDR |Pt.3| RAW Preparation and HDR Export - 9.15 Zion River HDR |Pt.4| HDR Processing
- 9.16 Zion River HDR |Pt.5| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 9.17 Zion River HDR |Pt.6| Photoshop Layer Blending
- 9.18 Zion River HDR |Pt.7| Final Image Processing
Chapter 10: LAS VEGAS, NV & LOS ANGELES, CA
- 10.1 Las Vegas and Los Angeles HDR Introduction
- 10.2 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
- 10.3 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
- 10.4 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
- 10.5 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
- 10.6 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.5| hotoshop Layer Blending
- 10.7 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
- 10.8 Downtown Los Angeles HDR |Pt.1| How it was Shot
- 10.9 Downtown Los Agneles HDR |Pt.2| Single Shot Faux HDR Processing
Chapter 11: BONUS
- 11.1 Heber Creeper Train HDR
- 11.2 Heber Valley Fishing SIngle Shot HDR
- 11.3 Uinta Summit Bracket HDR
- 11.4 Bryce Canyon Panorama HDR
- 11.5 Zion Entrance Panorama HDR
- 11.6 Las Vegas Cleveland Clinic HDR
- 11.7 Palos Verdes HDR
- 11.8 Shen Zhen Pier HDR
- 11.9 China Street Photography HDR
- 11.10 Stearns Wharf HDR
Total Course Run Time: 13H 6M 50S
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