B&W HDR conversion comparison

FHPhotographer · 08-04-2009, 12:32 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, 01:36 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, 05:13 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

08-04-2009, 12:32 PM	#1
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297	B&W HDR conversion comparison 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

08-04-2009, 05:13 PM	#3
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297 Original Poster	I agree... 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

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08-04-2009, 01:36 PM	#2
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	The first one, IMO, is the clear winner. Much more detail, contrast and the FOV is pushed back adding more depth