Fixing Exposure and Removing Artifacts with High Dynamic Range

Using HDR hands on

The following steps provide details on how you can use the enhanced HDR function:

Step One: Use photos of the same scene taken with different exposure values

• Download the sample images and open them in PhotoImpact.
  
  These images are pictures of the same scene taken with different exposure values. The HDR function uses the information derived from each of these images to produce an image with high dynamic range.
  
  

• Select Photo: High Dynamic Range to open the High Dynamic Range dialog box.
  
  

Step Two: Mark areas to be removed and retained in the composition

• Select Remove artifacts.
  
  When taking multiple shots of a scene, there are instances when you will encounter problems with your photos like people or a stray dog walking into your shot. The enhanced HDR function allows you to remove unnecessary areas in a picture by using Remove artifacts.
  
  
• Click By Brush then click HDR003.jpg in the Image List Panel.

  Tip: Adjust Brush size to increase or decrease your brush size. You don't need to make a precise selection, just make sure to paint the entire area to be removed. A red highlight marks the area to be deleted.

• Paint over the area to be removed.
  
  

  Tip: To change the brush colors, click the color box beside the brushes then select a color.

• Click Brush-in.
  
  The same way that the HDR feature allows you to mark specific areas to remove, it also allows you to mark specific areas to retain. When the images are combined to create the HDR image, the area marked to be retained will not be combined with the other images, instead, the composed image will use that area.
  
  Among the images in this set, HDR001.jpg provides the best exposure of the plants. Use Brush-in to mark those areas.
• Click HDR001.jpg then paint over the area that shows the fence and plants. A blue color marks brushed-in areas.
  
  
  Tip: To erase brush marks, click the type of brush you want to erase, either Brush-out or Brush-in, click Erase mode, and then erase the brush marks.
  

• Select Stack images to view the overall composition without the blue and red brush marks.
  
  
• Click Done.