Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal
So, today we are revisiting the possibilities of using the HDR Automation in Photoshop this time using three macro shots of the same orchid.
Let's start with the image capture first. I was using the 105mm Nikkor Macro lens for all three pictures on a tripod. Set to Aperture priority, the first image was taken at f/4 focusing on the petals of the primary flower in order to minimize depth of field and reduce background clutter. The second was taken at F/14 to bring into focus the rest of the primary flower and to add some out of focus background detail. The third shot I dipped into the photographer's toolkit of the past and added a cheap UV filter, lightly coated with Vaseline to render the whole image soft and blurry. I've heard the argument that you can get this same effect in Photoshop by adding a Gaussian Blur layer. I like doing it in capture myself. My advice, try both and see what you like. Be aware that you will have to be rather quick if you are shooting outside as wind can create problems. Visualize what you want to do before shooting it.
In Photoshop CS3, I clicked on File/Automate/Merge to HDR and selected the three RAW images. Leaving the Auto Align Option ON, I hit OK and waited a bit for PS to combine the layers. I changed the bit depth to 16-bit/channel. I'm no Photoshop guru but if you leave it in 32-bit/channel you will loose the ability to make a few changes in the HDR processor. Don't forget to adjust the White Point Preview slider before you hit OK. Equalize Histogram and Highlight Compression won't do anything in the HDR processor here, I manipulated Local Adaptation and Exposure/Gamma to the way I liked the composite image the best. After hitting OK, at this point you're done with the HDR processor and back to normal old Photoshop. I duplicated three layers from the original and changed the first duplicated layer to Multiply. I turned the top two duplicated layers off so I could see what I was doing and moved the opacity slider back to about 20% on the Multiply layer. Make sure if you are following along here to rename the layers as you make adjustments so you won't get confused. I learned that one the hard way. The second duplicated layer I changed to Overlay, again adjusting the slider back to around 20%. Don't forget to turn the third layer off so you can see what you are doing. The third and topmost layer, I set to Soft Light and adjusted the slider back to around 20% again. These are totally up to you as to how much opacity you leave with each layer, beware blowing the gamut if you leave the slider too high. Click View/Gamut warning and leave it on. If you are seeing grey dots onscreen, you've gone too far. I added a Layers, Curves, Brightness/Contrast, Hue, and Saturation layer as well to round out the final image.
Again, I'm no Photoshop expert but I hope seeing my workflow might help shed some light into how thing come together for this image. I like the end result of the image with its dreamy feel. Play around and see what you get.
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Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal
Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal
I'm finally back home from a week long commercial trip to St. Petersburg, Florida with 1,375 plus images to sort through for an art renovation of the Downtown Hampton Inn & Suites. Whew! Apologies go out to my readership for not keeping the blog updated much while I was out of town, I'll be frequently updating this week as I go through the shots from the trip and sharing some of my favorites.
Day 1 - yesterday
This unique new lamp design from Studio Italia has a halogen lighting unit inside a clear crystal dome that you focus by moving a small magnet on the exterior. I just wish it could have been an LED design.
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Not necessarily what we are accustomed to in the graffiti world, I came across this and loved it. I guess that is how they roll in Tasmania. 
Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal
This 208 page book covers the scene of the Bay area as shot by Steve Rotman. Casebound at $45.00 this is a must for any graffiti book collector. 
Image copyright Martin Wittfooth
Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal
I've got an upcoming show on my home turf for a change at IAO Gallery in Oklahoma City. Aegir and Heavy were both selected for the group show that is open to Oklahoma artists only. 
If you have to buy a present for somebody between the ages of thirty-five and fifteen, go to Gela Skins and give them the gift of cool. They have skins for laptops, phones, gaming consoles, or buy an art print on earth friendly bamboo stock. 
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