Hdr

[Claire S]

Could anyone advise if there is a HDR add on for CS3 to apply effects of HDR rather than use multiple images? Failing that, HDR applications? I just fancy having a play around applying gentle HDR effects.
Thanks
C

[kalniel]

What are you trying to achieve?

If you don't want to use multiple images then you're just locally adjusting exposure, which should be doable in CS3 without and add-ons - a simple method to do this is create duplicate layers then brighten one and darken another, then use layer masks to paint through the local areas that you want lighter or darker than normal.

[0iD]

Plenty of free online tutorials for CS3 http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...G=Search&meta=

[Claire S]

I had a little play with a freeware program which just applys a HDR effect rather than use multiple images and the results were not bad. I have CS3 and tried doing what is described in the posts above but the results seemed a bit so-so (maybe just me though and poor CS skills ) So I was just wondering if there was an add on for CS3 or any decent software to achieve the look of HDR to existing single exposures.

[kalniel]

Have you got any examples of this 'look of HDR' that you're trying to achieve? HDR's usually used to just balance the levels in different parts of the photo (correcting an over bright sky for example) so images look quite natural, but perhaps you mean something else?

[Claire S]

this type of thing-
http://robbiekhan.co.uk/photos/nav_l...G_5283_4_5.jpg

[kalniel]

I think I remember that being posted on another forum - photomatix was used if I recall, but that kind of shot can be done simply in your image editing program with just two shots at different exposures - one exposed for the scenery and one exposed for the lights, then just blend in the lit portions to the other with layer masks.