Back to Workshops Schedule

HDR & Beyond

September 11 – 17, 2011
Maine Media Workshops • Rockport, Maine

Click Here to Register

** I also have an Advanced Digital Photography class in Maine the week before this one.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging techniques enable the photographer to capture a wide range of contrast extremes that is not possible with a single exposure. By taking a series of differently exposed shots, the entire range of brightness in a scene can be reproduced to create stunning images. If you’re looking the master the HDR process and also venture beyond it, then this is the class for you. The camera work part of the class will focus on mastering the exposure techniques for capturing the optimal information for HDR photography needed to recreate the varied tonal ranges present in the beautiful Maine coastal landscape . Back in the computer lab, we’ll delve deep into digital darkroom techniques for creating HDR images using Photoshop CS5, as well as the popular HDR plug-ins Photomatix and Nik HDR Efex Pro.

As satisfying as the basic HDR photo can be, it is really just another stop in the journey of the image and a key component in this class will be looking beyond the initial HDR result to see where further explorations along this path will lead. In venturing beyond HDR, we will take advantage of a variety of methods for further enhancing and perfecting the HDR image by using additional adjustment layers and layer masks, combining multiple HDR processed images and assembling HDR panoramas. This is a creative imaging class of exploration, discovery and technical mastery where we will seek the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Topics include: • What scenes work best with HDR • Exposure technique for HDR • Effective use of Auto-Exposure Bracketing • Dealing with motion in the scene • Merge to HDR Pro in Photoshop CS5 • Creating HDR images with Photomatix • Creating HDR images with Nik HDR Efex Pro • Working with and Saving HDR Presets • Enhancing HDR images in Photoshop • Apply "local" changes with Adjustment Layers • Crafting precise layer masks • Using Blend Modes and Color Toning • Controlling motion by compositing sections of a source exposure Please note that this is not a beginning Photoshop class. Participants should have a working familiarity with both Photoshop and computer basics on either Windows or Mac.