Customer Reviews

High Dynamic Range: Photography Made Easy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To begin with, if you're interested in HDR photography I would recommend this DVD tutorial from Mr. Sweet.

Understand that in order to use the Photomatix software (abt $100) discussed , recommend capturing your images in RAW or Tiff format, I have not tried Jpeg's with the software. Additionally, though one single image can be used (which creates a false HDR), it's best to use a minimum of two or more photos for processing. Though Photoshop alone can merge multiple photos together to create an HDR picture, my experience with Photomatix has been extremely positive. Mr. Sweet does not provide a technical "tour-de-force" about the software, but he does walk us through each individual processing setting capable of being utilized in the software.

Mr. Sweet provides instruction on the way he chooses to process his HDR photos (which may differ from others), and I learned quite a bit from watching the DVD. He teaches how to read the histogram of our camera (assuming you have a histogram) and that is the single most important feature required to produce the best images. Simple point and shoot camera owners I believe will have a difficult time. You'll need some sort of pro-level camera. My Nikon D40 works fine.

Photoshop is not required software (as one review suggested), however, some sort of post processing software is - Mr. Sweet chooses Photomatix. He simply utilizes Photoshop for specific targeted adjustments after the fact.

He provides step by step instruction for processing the first image (total of ten image processing segments are provided) and circumvents the other nine images to save time. In my opinion, once you process your first image you'll have an understanding how the software faders work.

Shot on location at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Mr. Sweet tours the prison and selects some fantastic prison cells, hallways, etc. which offer high contrast scenes and are perfect for this type of photography. Please understand that he is a professional photographer with professional equipment.

I would not recommend this DVD to the novice photographer who lacks the proper equipment. But to those of you with a basic understanding how your DSLR camera works, has a tripod, computer, and is willing to purchase Photomatix software (at a minimum) I think you'll enjoy Mr. Sweet's instruction. I have watched the DVD multiple times, and each time I pick up on something new.

Tony got me started in HDR at his St. Michaels, Maryland, workshop last summer and, since then, I have felt pretty comfortable working HDR with most images. However, when I was in West Virginia last year I got access to an old mill that was being restored. There were no lights inside so it was very dark in most area, and bright sun was flowing through the few windows that were there. Most of my image sequences were 9 shots (8 stops...wow). So when I ran then through HDR software they just were not doing anything for me. Then a friend of min bought this DVD for me for my Birthday. It absolutely takes HDR processing up to a whole new level. After watching the DVD I realized that I did have a chance with some of these shots that I had given up on. Tony shows HDR techniques that I never thought of. I HIGHLY recommend this DVD.

Opening the CD the first thing that caught my eye was the, "Portfolio "selection within the menu. Of course like a little kid I just had to have dessert before dinner. There are 3 portfolios, Eastern State Penitentiary, The Best of HDR and the Ellis Island Project. Examining each photo in the portfolios I was able to see what I like, what I didn't and what direction I want to go with HDR.

There are ten lessons on the CD . You can click on the" Program" link to start watching from the beginning or click on the "Chapter "link to select one of the individual photographs used for each lesson. What I found interesting and useful is that at the list of chapters you have your choice of selecting either "Capture " , which is Tony taking the photographs for the HDR or "Process " to jump to the actually processing of the photographs. I have to admit after chapter one I skipped the Captured sections and went right to the "Process "sections for each chapter.

The last part of the DVD is the " Reference Page " containing info for websites, a DVD and other books on the subject. Not included with the links but I would like to include is the User galleries at Photomatix [..]. You will find some amazing work here.

We are still a few years away at having an affordable HDR camera in our hands but we at the cutting edge, heading into the High Dynamic Range of the future. This DVD will get you up and started now. It is very well put together and meant to get you started straight from the box.

Best of Light !!!

Bought this along with several books on HDR photography. Watching the DVD was like spending time with Tony - a great experience. However, it should be noted that, to receive the best value from this DVD you really need to watch the DVD, go out and take some photos, run them through the software and then watch the DVD AGAIN. The second viewing will allow you to receive the most benefit from Tony's instruction.
Tony shows you how he sets up his camera/tripod, techniques for bracketing and how he "processes" the images - in fact, he spends a great deal of time going through which sliders he is using and why. This is a very "organic" process (each image needs its own unique touch) and you start to get the "feeling" about which adjustments work together - and which cancel each other out. This is very important to know when as you start to process your own images.

This was my first DVD by Tony Sweet. I was pleasantly surprised by Tony's instruction and the high quality of the video production itself.

Tony takes the time to go over what he did and WHY he did. He's a natural teacher and I look forward to more of his DVD's and perhaps even a book or two in the future.

As a person that had only the most basic knowledge of HDR, I came away informed, inspired and more confident after watching the (nearly 2 hours of instruction) DVD.

This is an excellent introduction to HDR photography. While the process section for each image is probably more important, I also found the set up section both useful and interesting. Tony is an enthusiastic teacher who knows how to impart knowledge to his viewers.
Buyers should be aware that it is assumed that you have some knowledge of Photoshop. This is not a complete course on Photomatix; Photomatix requires use and experimentation.

Within minutes of starting to watch Tony Sweet's DVD "HDR Photography Made Easy" I realized the time spent was going to bring my photography to a new level. The production of the DVD compliments Tony's conversational development of high end photo processing. It really is the whole package for someone who wants to take HDR Photography to new places.

This is a great DVD, very happy with the purchase. I am not exactly a beginner HDR, I am new to it, but this DVD is designed for someone who knows nothing about it. I recommend it.

If you have an interest in HDR then this is the video for you.
This guy is very good and he explains step by step what he is doing.
I love the place he is shooting too, it is a great place for HDR.
If you want to see a sample of his work before you buy this DVD go to YouTube and search on his name. He has one of the lessons on Youtube. This might help you determine whether you like his style or not.

I purchased this DVD hoping to learn advanced techniques. I didn't. The program is more for beginners. I covers ever aspect of Photomatix, and then some. But then again, that's the program that I've been using for a couple of years so nothing new there. Tony Sweet's delivery is good, not great. I would recommend this DVD for anyone who wants to learn HDR. However, if you already know Photomatix and you want to go to the next step this is not the DVD for you.