DIY HDR {you can do it}

So...Friday I introduced you all to the beauty of HDR imagery.  Today I'll show you how you can make your own HDR images without spending a dime on software.  I'll be turning this photo:

Into this:

And you can do it too.  Most HDR images are made by processing them in digital program that combines multiple images into one.  So...you'll need to download one such program.  There are awesome programs that cost some moolah.  BUT, I don't like to spend money so I use freeware.  Go here and download luminance-HDR.  Don't freak out because the website looks like gibberish.  It's legit, I promise. 

Now, I took screen shots through the whole process, so I hope this is easy to follow.  The image I used was taken on my old point-and-click Olympic camera that I got as a Christmas gift in 2004.  Nothing fancy.  I promise.  

Step 1 is to take your photo and copy it, so you have three of the same image.

Step 2:  open Luminance-HDR.  Click "New HDR Image" and open all three of your copies.

Step 3:  Adjust your exposure levels.  If you have a fancy pants camera you can use an AEB {I think that's what it is...} setting to get three images with different exposure.  Otherwise, do it manually here.  If you are confused about why you need to do this read my intro to HDR.  

Leave one at -10, then change one to -8, and the last to -6.  Then click NEXT.

Step 4:  A window will pop up called "Editing Tools."  Don't touch anything...just click NEXT.

Step 5:  Same thing in the next window {HDR creation}.  The blanks should read...Profile 1, Triangular, Linear, Debevec

Step 6:  You should be left with a window that shows your image, like this.  Looks awesome, right?  Just kidding.  We still have a few more steps.  Next up is tonemapping.  This is the part that makes your image look stellar and HDR-ish.  So click the "Tonemap HDR Image" button {in the upper tool bar next to "Save HDR Image As...}.

Step 7:  Okay, now I'll get a little techy.  Just a little.  The result of your tonemapping will change as a result of the ratio of mapping to size.  Basically...your results will be different based on the finished size.  Since you don't want your finished image to be as small as a postage stamp, change the "Results Size" {in the lower left corner} to be the biggest or second largest.

Next, play with the saturation, detail and contrast sliders...then hit the "Tonemap" button at the bottom.  Go over this until you get a result you like.

Step 8:  Click the "Adjust Levels" button at the top tool bar.  Move the sliders in a bit toward the center, until you get the contrast you like.

Step 9:  Click the "Save As" button and save your image.  

Now you can call it quits here.  Your image probably looks pretty great.  But if you want to add a little more pizzazz open your image in your favorite editing program.  This might be PhotoShop, iPhoto...or in my case Gimp.

What is Gimp?  Well...let me tell you.  It's a freeware editing program.  Download it here.  I do all my editing and graphic design in it.  It works a lot like PhotoShop, but it doesn't leave you broke.  I love it.

To finish this image, I increased the saturation.

Then, because my photo had an overall blue tint to it I balanced the colors.  In photos blue is the opposite of yellow and cyan {aqua} is the opposite of red.  So to balance my photo I added some red and yellow tones to it.

Finally, I added a transparent layer with some black on it to darken the sky a bit.  

And here's the final product.  Now my very unfancy photo looks like it could be hanging in a gallery somewhere.

Hope you liked the tutorial.  And I hope it all made sense.  As always...if you've got questions, just drop me a line.  In the comment box, an email or on Facebook.  Whatever works best for you.

Oh, and if you would be so kind...follow along.  I don't want you to miss a thing.

Amy

The tutorial is partying at:  Nest for Less, Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home With K, Adventures of a DIY Mom, Carolyn's Homework, We Like to Learn as we Go, The NY Melrose Family, Craft-O-Maniac, C.R.A.F.T., Sumo's Sweet Stuff, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Coastal Charm, The Gunny Sack, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Giggles Glitz & Glam, Creatively Living, Debbie Does Creations, Sweet Anne

DIY HDR {you can do it}