Are there auto settings on some cameras? IE Set it to HDR mode and it will take the 3 or whatever exposures for ya.

 

Some cameras have a mode which takes 3-5 photos in rapid succession, but it doesn't change exposure setting in between shots. None have an HDR mode that I know of.

 

Most cameras will have a bracket feature that will take 3-5 shots at various exposures. When I do HDR, I only take 1 image and I adjust the exposure during post processing, then combine the images.

I prefer mild HDR, like this one


Others prefer a more cartoonish look in their HDR, like this


The problem with HDR is that people are using it to 'fix' poor photography skills. Images that lack proper framing, lighting and vehicle position are being used for HDR. Post processing can't fix a bad image.

 

here's another i played with:

 

tried the single image faked exposure method here:

 

New background!! Thanks Scott!! You da man.

 

Tried 1 image, faked exposure method here too:





I have a lot to learn on this Photomatix but I'll keep playing with it.

Edit - this one too:

 

Shoot that car in front of a nice location and it'll turn into a better shot. I like to use industrial back drops, which are generally pretty simple (less distractions)

 

Ran across this program today:
http://projects.ict.usc.edu/graphics/HDRShop/

there's also a tonemapping plugin that may be useful.

Normal setting on my camera phone:


HDR Shop using -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 images.



The difference isn't spectacular but you can see more detail in the buildings in the foreground. plus it is a CELL PHONE.

 

Might sound misinformed but isnt hdr used to contrast things with the sky?

 

Unless that's a JDM car (which it doesn't look to be based on the steering wheel being on the left) it's not an STI.

There were no "bugeyes" (02-03) STI sold in the US. We started getting STI's in "peanut eye" (04-05) and 'blob eye' (06-07).

 

sometimes.

the issue is that the world has infinite dynamic range and your vision automatically adjusts. so when you look at the sky, it doesn't blind you and when you look at the shadowy foreground, it isn't pitch black.

there are tons of other situations where bright objects are in scene with dark ones (night shots of lights, reflections, etc) and a limited dynamic range camera can't produce high contrast both in bright scenes AND dark scenes.

 

Very true, I just used what I had on my computer.