Exercise 2.5

Creating a High Dynamic Range Image & Using Adjustment Layers/Masks

Introduction:

In lecture today, we discussed high dynamic range (HDR) photography and tonal mapping software. In this exercise, you will use Photoshop to combine a bracketed set of images to make one High Dynamic Range Image. You will then process the resulting image using Adjustment Layers and or selective masking.

Part 1:

• Using either the bracketed images you shot in Exercise 2.1 (this is preferred) or the collection of images I posted to the course website, follow Photoshop Tutorial 1.8 to merge your images to a single HDR image.
• Create an adjustment layer using: Layer>New Adjustment Layer> (Select the type of adjustment you wish to apply). (Photoshop Tutorials 1.1-1.5) You may wish to try/apply any or all of the following:
  • Levels: To adjust black point and white point while redistributing colors across histogram (Photoshop Tutorial 1.2).
  • Curves: Selectively lighten or darken the image (Photoshop Tutorial 1.3).
  • Channel Mixer: Add some pop to the image (Photoshop Tutorial 1.4) or make the image monochrome (Photoshop Tutorial 1.1).
  • Selective Color: Work with specific color ranges to correct color casting, darken or lighten colors.
  • Hue/Saturation: Change saturation of a given color range or change the lightness of a specific color range (sky for example)
• Use simple masks to define where a particular adjustment occurs. (Photoshop Tutorial 1.10)
• Make sure to save your .psd Photoshop file for later editing!
• Save the file (Photoshop Tutorial 1.6) by first adjusting the image size to have a width of 1000 px, then use the File>Save For Web & Devices...

Part 2:

• Post your resulting image to the web. You will not be creating a gallery for this image. Instead, just click on “Add media: Add an Image” when you write your post. Be sure to include your full name followed by “Exercise 2.5” in the title as well as in the tag.

Part 3:

Please bring your digital camera and cord/card-reader to class on Tuesday! You will need them for the in class lab exercise!

Download this Exercise in .pdf format