HDR Enhancement
Chapter Five
of Captain Kimo’s HDR How-to Guide
You’ve made it to the last chapter of my HDR How-to Guide. In this chapter we will enhance our HDR image using Topaz Adjust. We will also be using Topaz Denoise to remove any noise created during this process. Using Topaz Adjust and Topaz DeNoise is easy enough but there are some tricks to getting the most out of it. Below is a video on how I use Topaz Adjust to put the dynamic in high dynamic range. I also included step-by-step instructions to help guide you through this process. Click here to learn more about Topaz Software.
Topaz Video & Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Create Multiply Layer
Launch up Photoshop and get your HDR image opened. The first thing we’re gonna do is create a duplicate of the original background layer. Rename this new layer multiply. Set the transparency setting to multiply and the opacity to 40%.
Step 2 – Apply Topaz Adjust – Mild Color Pop
Keep your multiply layer selected and apply the Topaz Adjust filter to that layer using the preset Mild Color Pop. Click the OK button to apply the filter to the layer.
Step 3 – Create Overlay Layer
Duplicate the original background layer again and name this layer overlay. Change the transparency to overlay and the opacity to 20%.
Step 4 – Apply Topaz Adjust – Neutralizer by JorgeDiaz
Keep your overlay layer selected and apply the Topaz Adjust filter to that layer using the preset Neutralizer by JorgeDiaz. Click the OK button to apply the filter to the layer.
Step 5 – Merge Layers
Duplicate the background layer once again and merge that layer with the multiply layer and the overlay layer.
Step 6 – Apply Topaz DeNoise
This is the last step. Select the merged layer and go to Filter and launch Topaz Denoise. Select the preset JPEG_HQ. Click the OK button to apply the Filter.
Don’t stop here. If your image needs more processing keep going till you’re happy with the result!
Final Enhanced HDR Photograph
Below is the final result of the Enhanced HDR image. I’ve included the original HDR image as well for reference. Now you can see why Topaz Adjust is one of my favorite tools as a digital photographer.
That’s it for Captain Kimo’s HDR How-to Guide. If you’re ready for more tutorials check out the advanced ones below.
looks like you shoot primarily jpeg or do you convert from raw first or do you ever shoot raw…
me being new to hdr and not being an avid (as i would like to be)every day shooter i have been shooting mainly in raw
format as i have enjoyed the flexibilty of playing with reg
adjustments….i think this hdr is fantastic stuff
I do shoot in RAW but most of the time I will shoot in JPEG mode so I can shoot more exposures. My camera tends to slow down and even stop if I shoot too many exposure in RAW. I enjoy the benefits of RAW as much as you do. I will shoot in RAW if I’m shooting single exposure. HDR is fantastic, so many benefits to photographing with this style. It takes more work but the results are worth it.
Hi Captain,
Thank you for the easy and awesome tutorial on HDR.
I am what you would call an advanced enthusiast and really want to take it to the next level.
I have a Nikon D90, Nikon Capture NX2 and Photomatix Pro but am just not satisfied with the results.
Tone mapping takes away a bit of clarity and the picture does not look great.
Your tutorial suggests Topaz adjust and Denoize…which I am more than willing to purchase, however you mentioned Photoshop or elements. Is it a must to have one of these.
Thnx so much for sharing your knowlwdge.
Regards
Harry
Harry,
In some cases, like shooting indoors or low light, tone mapping willing blur your image. It all depends on how you tone map and the kind of photo you’re tone mapping. From my experience tone mapping has given me more clarity than the original photos. As for Photoshop… yes you need it for Topaz because it’s a plugin for Photoshop. Maybe one day they’ll release a version for NX2, or even better, create a stand alone version instead of a plugin.
Regards,
-Kimo
Kimo
I would like to express my sincere thanks for your hard work with this website. I posted an image in Flickr using your technique and really like the results. The picture was taken on the fly as I headed home, the results for me are stunning. This HDR enhanced technique is exactly what I have been looking for.
Thanks again for taking the time to help those who want to improve their HDR work flow.
Steve
Hi, Kim –
Thanks for this tute; I’ve actually used the technique a number of times now to good effect.
I’m wondering if you could expound on this recipe a bit, with information on ‘exactly what’ is going on in the steps. This is to say, on the first Topaz layer, we’re doing a mild color pop, but on the second Topaz layer, we’re using neutralizer, which really knocks down the color. Sure, they’re blended according to taste, but I’d almost think that one would counteract the other.
Is it that the neutralizer brings out more detail for you? I’m just wondering what the theory or thinking is behind this technique. (And how on Earth did you come up with it?)
Best regards,
Rob
Rob, everything I do is mostly experimental until I find something that works. Than I make a mental note of it and I use it when necessary. Neutralizer is a good effect that brings out contrast and when you apply a transparency to it like overlay it really outlines the dark and light areas. This was a technique I saw done from PSTUTS and I applied it to here in my own way.
Hi Kimo!
The images are great and the tutorials fantastic. When I found the site it was a major help to my photography. I have only recently learned of HDR Imagery and I am up almost 24/7 perfecting it.
I had a question; there is an image I saw on google, also linked to devianart.com of a WRC Car with dust flowing over it all enhanced in HDR. However, I have not seen any tutorials or work-shops that teach such extreme developing. Is it the image alone, or something I am not doing with the programmes; as I use all – CS5 Extended, Topaz Labs, Lightroom, Gimp, Photonaut, etc.
Thanks!
Dan, I know the photo you’re referring to. That photo was most likely merged and tone mapped using Photomatix. Photomatix does this type of tone mapping very well.
[...] Photography Enhancing HDR Images Acknowledge Captain Kimo for his hard work with HDR [...]
[...] Photography Enhancing HDR Images Acknowledge Captain Kimo for his hard work with HDR [...]
[...] Photography Enhancing HDR Images Acknowledge Captain Kimo for his hard work with HDR [...]
For us Aperture users, any recommendations? I’ve heard PS Elements is fine in general, but would buy it only if i could run Topaz on it for HDR only (as I’m already happy with Aperture 3). Thanks,e.
I don’t know of any software or plugin that does what Topaz does for Aperture. But I know Topaz does work with PS Elements. I’ve used it myself and it works fine.
[...] Photography Enhancing HDR Images Acknowledge Captain Kimo for his hard work with HDR [...]
Hi Captain, you should be “Genetral Kimo”, YOUR AWESOME, excellent tutorials I just receantly found your website, thank for sharing your knowledge
Thanks Juan, I’m glad tyou like the tuts!
Hi Captain Kimo..I’m new to the website and it’s really great.I especially like Part 4 HDR Enhancement.I will definetly try out the technique on some of my HDR’s.
Any tips on creating textures in images.I haven’t done any as of yet and I was wondering if you know of any good Tutorials especially for Photoshop Elements 9..Thanks Mike….
Hello Mike, thanks for your comment. I plan on doing a texture tutorial sometime in the future. Right now I have a lot of stuff that needs to get done, mainly the ebook, so I have no idea how long it will take me to get to there. The best way to keep updated is by joining my feedburner e-mail list which I update monthly to let everyone know about the latest post.
I think Admiral Kimo is best ^_^ Thanks for the effort of putting together a concise HDR tutorial. This is very timely for me, as I just purchased a Leica and am eagerly anticipating my entry into the HDR world.
Tom
Tom, good luck on your journey into the HDR world, I guarantee you’ll love it!
Hello, I got Topaz adjust and it didn’t have any presets. I downloaded a .tpp file from Topaz and it gave me quite a few presets but I don’t have the neutralizer by Jorge Diaz preset. Do you have to download that one separately or did it come with Topaz Adjust?
Hey Andy I got the Jorge Diaz preset with the plugin so I’m not sure how they are doing it now.
I really like using this procude in photoshop! Produces some really cool effects. I’m new to HDR, but I’ve been doing the tone mapping in photomatix, using this procedure to get a little more out of the photo and then doing high pass sharpening in photoshop. I was thinking about using Topaz Clean as well before I do high pass sharpening. How would go about using Topaz Clean? Just apply it to the merged image or create a layer?
Thanks! This site and your book has been awesome in helping me understand HDR and processing.
Andy