HDR Cookbook – Before and After:Michelangelo’s Dome (HDR Vertorama)
Michelangelo’s Dome – St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican (HDR Vertorama) – Before and After (click to enlarge)
This is the before-and-after comparison of “Michelangelo’s Dome – St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican (HDR Vertorama)“. The final image was created from 6×3 RAW files (series of 6 autobracketed shots, +2, 0, -2ev) which you can see in the left three columns. These 18 source shots were merged into 6 32-bit HDRs with Photomatix Pro 3.2 which where then stitched using Photoshop CS4. After the stitching, the resulting 32-bit HDR panorama was cropped in Photoshop and then tone-mapped using the detail enhancer option of Photomatix Pro 3.2 (result to be seen in the middle column). In the right column, you see the final image after a number of post-processing steps executed in Photoshop CS4.
The final image and a more detailed description of the post-processing steps can be viewed here. Click on the image below to view a bigger version.
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hey there i had a question on your “vertorama” shots. in Michalangelo’s Dome, you took 18 shots. how were you able to take all of row 1 in 3 different exposures and have them all match up the same? meaning they are identical except for the exposure setting. does that question make sense? haha
thank you!
Hi Danelle,
thanks for the question! I think it does make sense. 🙂
This is done using the autobracketing feature (present in most DSLRs) in combination with the AE/AF-lock button and a steady hand. Does that make sense? 😉
Actually, I am currently preparing a detailed post on exactly this topic. I shall post it today or in the next couple of days. So, I would refer you to this post and ask you for a bit of patience. Stay tuned!
Cheers