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I started playing around just now and came up with a new technique that combines the best results of HDR and Contrast Mask techniques. It's like an HDR image that isn't terribly over saturated and haloed out, but sharper and with more color than an image treated with just contrast mask.

Step 1: Take 3 exposures, just like an HDR.

Step 2: In photoshop, add all three exposures to one image. Bottom layer should be the darkest image, top layer should be the brightest image. Set the middle and top layer setting to "overlay"

Step 3: Apply contrast mask techniques to the middle layer ONLY. To do contrast mask:
- The layer should already be set to Overlay
- Image > Adjustments > Desaturate
- Image > Adjustments > Invert
- Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set radius anywhere from 20 to 60 pixels, depending on what looks good.

Step 4: Brightness is adjusted by adjusting the opacity of the top and bottom layers. If the image is too bright, bring down the top layer. If the image is too dark, bring down the bottom layer.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Contrast Mask Process


HDR Process


Hybrid Process

I've gone through writing this twice now so...

I'll just keep it short:
-saw one of these in screening
-said to self, "WOW, that's new and cool and pretty, but it's not hdr"
-questioned, "how can Lucas do that???"


So now I have the answer! Thanks, graphic. Very nice technique!

Lucas wrote:I've gone through writing this twice now so...

I'll just keep it short:
-saw one of these in screening
-said to self, "WOW, that's new and cool and pretty, but it's not hdr"
-questioned, "how can Lucas do that???"


So now I have the answer! Thanks, graphic. Very nice technique!

Which did you see in screening? I didn't upload any using this technique.

graphic wrote:
Which did you see in screening? I didn't upload any using this technique.

Weird, it must not have been yours? It looked very much like your hybrid technique—no halos or anything.

Now I'm going to have to go and dig around and see who was doing what.

First attempt using Graphic's method:

BEFORE:


AFTER


The lighting is a bit tricky since the sky above the aircraft is lit up, but the aircraft itself and the grass is dark.