HDR Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Book description

Are you an aspiring landscape, architecture, interior, or real estate photographer? Do you struggle with a lack of detail in the highlight or shadow areas of your scene? Then the world of high-dynamic range (HDR) photography is for you. This guide by pro photographer Tim Cooper will help you understand how to capture your subjects and process them for amazing, realistic results.

In HDR Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, Tim takes you step by step through the capture process and provides his tips and techniques for producing natural-looking HDR images using Lightroom and Photomatix. In this guide you will:

  • Learn what HDR is and when and why to use it

  • Understand the equipment and camera settings required to capture your images

  • Expose your images properly to bring out the important details in your scene

  • Conquer nature/landscape, architecture/interiors, and night/low light shooting

  • Master the processing of your images in Lightroom and Photomatix for advanced techniques and stunning results

  • Beautifully illustrated with large, compelling photos, this book for beginning-to-intermediate digital photographers will help you take control and get the image you want every time you pick up your camera. Once you have the shot, show it off and join the book’s Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/HDR_fromsnapshotstogreatshots.

    Table of contents

    1. Title Page
    2. Copyright Page
    3. Acknowledgements
    4. Contents
    5. Introduction
    6. 1. What Is HDR and Why Use It?
      1. The Problems That HDR Solves
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. A Program, an Image, or a Technique?
      5. Why Use HDR
        1. Controlling high contrast
      6. Camera Capabilities
        1. Sensor capabilities
      7. Histograms and Pixel Information
      8. When HDR Is Needed
        1. Mood
        2. Highlight details
        3. Shadows
      9. Chapter 1 Assignments
    7. 2. Equipment, Settings, and Exposure
      1. Setting Your Camera for Success
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. Photography Equipment
        1. Cameras
        2. Lenses
        3. Tripods
        4. Cable releases
        5. Monitors and calibration
      5. Camera Settings
        1. File types
        2. ISO
        3. White balance
        4. Manual focus
        5. F-stops and shutter speeds
      6. Metering the Scene
        1. Metering modes
      7. Bracketing
        1. Bracketing tips
      8. Chapter 2 Assignments
    8. 3. Visual Perception
      1. Learning to See
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. How Our Eyes and Cameras See the World
        1. Shutter Speed
        2. Processing and Interpretation
        3. Picture Styles and Picture Controls
        4. Interpretation Summary
      5. Visual Distractions and Attractions
      6. Chapter 3 Assignments
    9. 4. Starting and Ending in Lightroom
      1. Preparing Your Images for Success
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. Preparing Images in Lightroom
        1. Editing programs
        2. Import settings
        3. Labeling and stacking
        4. Synchronizing settings
      5. Adjusting Images in Lightroom
        1. The Basic panel
        2. The Tone Curve panel
        3. The HSL panel
        4. The Lens Corrections panel
        5. The Camera Calibration panel
      6. Basic HDR Theory
      7. Chapter 4 Assignments
    10. 5. Using HDR Software
      1. My Favorite HDR Programs
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. Lightroom
        1. Developing Your HDR file
      5. Photomatix Pro
        1. Photomatix settings
        2. Tone Mapping and Exposure Fusion
        3. Deghosting
      6. Chapter 5 Assignments
    11. 6. Landscape Photography
      1. Photographing Our Natural World
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. Equipment Considerations
        1. Lenses
        2. Filters
        3. Accessories
      5. Camera Settings
        1. White balance
        2. Picture styles
      6. Techniques
        1. Creating dimension
        2. Depth of field
        3. Clouds
        4. Twilight
      7. Chapter 6 Assignments
    12. 7. Architecture and Interiors
      1. Symmetry and Lines
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. Equipment Considerations
        1. Tripods
        2. Lenses
        3. Accessories
      5. White Balance
      6. Position and Focal Length
      7. The Lens Corrections Panel
      8. Adjustments Prior to Merging to HDR
      9. Processing Architectural Images in Lightroom
      10. Processing Architectural Images in Photomatix
      11. Chapter 7 Assignments
    13. 8. Low-Light and Night Photography
      1. Extending Your Photographic Day
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Poring Over the Picture
      4. Equipment Considerations
        1. Remotes
        2. Filters
        3. Flashlights
        4. Apps
      5. Camera Settings
        1. Noise
        2. White balance
      6. Techniques
      7. Chapter 8 Assignments
    14. Index

    Product information

    • Title: HDR Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: June 2015
    • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
    • ISBN: 9780134181240