PS Challenge #1 : HDR Imaging, Contrast/Exposure Blending

[mitzpicardal]

PS Challenge #1 : HDR Imaging, Contrast/Exposure Blending

Background:
The intensities and dynamic ranges found in many scenes (like the scene below) and applications vastly exceed those of conventional imaging techniques, and the established practices and methods of addressing those images are insufficient. Existing digital cameras can faithfully record images over a wide range of intensities, but are significantly limited in the dynamic range. Dynamic range is the ratio of brightest to darkest value that they can record simultaneously.


Challenge: Create an image that shows the wide dynmic range of the scene.


Mechanics:

1. You may use one, two, or all of the source images.
2. Edit/post process the images in full resolution (you may crop but do not resize).
3. You may use Photoshop and/or any software necessary. No limits on post processing.
4. Save your final image in jpg (10 or better compression).
5. You can submit a maximum of 2 entries.
6. E-mail your final image to mitzpicardal@acm.org
7. I will post the anonymous entries in web resized format in this thread.
8. A poll will be created to select the best 3 images from the entries.
9. I will select the winner from the best 3 images.

Deadline of submission: Mar 24, 2008 12MN

Prize: Surprise! to be announced soon, probably a free workshop on HDRI

Below are the 3 images to be used.



Note: Do no use the posted images above. Download the original files here.

[jasonmiraples]

Very much anticipated from the good mods of Photoshop. Too excited for this...

[denmark dolores]

Yahooooo! Thanks for this!

I'll try to do my best PP here.

[jasonmiraples]

I just downloaded it already... FYI

[mitzpicardal]

Click here for alternative DL site.

[Franz A.D. Morales]

Nice challenge! If only I knew how to do HDR!

[jasonmiraples]

Thanks for the explanation Sir Mitz!

Originally Posted by Franz A.D. Morales

Nice challenge! If only I knew how to do HDR!

Hoping to have a K100D for straight HDR shots.. Harharhar..

[mitzpicardal]

NOTE: HDR merging/processing not required. You may use any technique (masking, stacking, layer blending, copy/paste, magic, etc.) to come out with a good exposure image. Your image will be judged on the output not on the technique (HDR or not) used.

[chep unson]

this sounds fun!
don't have access to rapidshare from the office though. will download the files at home later!

thanks for coming out with the challenge mitz!

[David Tong]

Oh cool, im a total idiot with HDR hehe, but i tried your images and it's funky :P