cgardner
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The rationale underlying HDR is that a camera sensor can't handle the full range of the scene. So if you expose for highlights under clipping 2-4 stops shadow detail is lost, the amount of lost varying with the angle of the light.
If you expose one file for highlights, then slow shutter 3-4 stops so as not to alter DOF with the bracketing you'll capture the full range of detail in two files with an overlap of detail in the mid-tones. What I do rather than let an automated program blend the exposures is layer the highlight and shadow exposures and then with a mask on the shadow layer open in where I want more shadow detail in image. For example I'll add more shadow detail in the middle of the frame than the edges to create a vignette effect. The net result isn't exaggerated detail but a final image that has the same detail seen by eye.
I reworked the linked image, which was underexposed in highlights and shadows, for a full normal "seen by eye" tonal range. Not as much shadow detail as would be seen with two bracketed exposures but closer to what a full range HDR would look like. I used a 2 pixel 255 trap rule and 0 black border and perceptual "anchors" for comparing the tonal range in the Photo.
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