B&W HDR conversion comparison

*FHPhotographer* · 08-04-2009, 01:32 PM

I raised the issue on dpreview whether it was better to merge HDR then convert to B&W, or, to convert each of several images individually to B&W then merge. Nobody seemed to know, so I did a quick n' dirty comparison:

First, five Av shots (-2 to +2) merged out of Bridge to HDR then converted using Nik Efex...

And this one, each image opened separately, converted with Nik, then merged into HDR...

Brian

**Buddha Jones** · 08-04-2009, 02:36 PM

The first one, IMO, is the clear winner. Much more detail, contrast and the FOV is pushed back adding more depth

*FHPhotographer* · 08-04-2009, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Buddha Jones

The first one, IMO, is the clear winner. Much more detail, contrast and the FOV is pushed back adding more depth

Yeah, I agree. And that's just using the Nik neutral setting without any push/pull, film type or zone work on the first one. The convert-then-merge of the second process steals range,
Brian