HDR Tutorial – Everything you need to know about HDR Photography

I have his book, which I love, so I am not sure why I just discovered his fantastic blog. Below are exerpts driectly from his Blog, including a great HDR tutorial!


Trey Ratcliff -- I freely share my photos and many tutorials with everyone. I use the Creative Commons license, so people are free to use this stuff on their own, as long as it is not for commercial purposes.

See Trey's photos on smugmug!

HDR Tutorial – Everything you need to know about HDR Photography
Welcome to the free tutorial! This will be fun.
This simple 6-step HDR Tutorial has taught thousands of people, so I am sure it can help you too. Remember, YOU can do this!

Who is this tutorial for?

• New photographers and those just getting started and want to make prettier pictures


• For advanced photographers ready to add new and improved HDR techniques

I am constantly evolving my techniques. HDR is still a young art form. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world and meet some of the greatest HDR Photographers in the world. We share techniques, shoot together, post process together, and all work together to drive the art form forward. I am happy to share the latest and greatest.

Now, I know a great many of you come just to nab my Photomatix Coupon Code – it is “STUCKINCUSTOMS“, which gives you 15% off. If you’d like to order it or give it a free trial, just go to the Photomatix webpage. The nice people there were swell enough to give my fans the best discount code, so I am happy to share it since I believe in their product. I’ve tried all the others… I still keep coming back to sweet Photomatix! I think you will like it as much as I do.

HDR Book – Another option beyond this free HDR Tutorial

I have recently announced a book all about HDR. It’s a 216-page monstrosity. I hope you love it! If you are like me, and you just can’t get enough of HDR, then maybe this is the book for you. It contains a ton of tips, tricks, and techniques. In addition, there is a collection of HDR Photographs as well as deeper explanations about how they were achieved. The book also gives me a longer format to go into depth about various descriptions of how I use and think about light to really push HDR to the next level.

The book has been designed for all levels of photographers. Whether you are just now getting your feet wet or a seasoned professional, there are tips and tricks in there for every level.
Come order the HDR Book right away… It’s just a click away and all knowledge and beauty will be yours to behold.

Software I use (in order of importance):

Please note that you really only need Photomatix Pro below. The others help give your final product a more polished and professional look. Also, I didn’t mention Photoshop because that is an absolute necessity. If you JUST use Photomatix, chances are that your final result will look like everyone else’s ham-fisted HDRs. Please do not take offense to that – many of my early HDRs were as ham-fisted as possible…

Photomatix Pro (required) – If you click on the following link to buy the HDR software Photomatix (which is quite reasonably priced, for the power it provides), be sure to use the Photomatix Coupon Code “STUCKINCUSTOMS“, you’ll be set up. If you’d like the trial or to order, just go to the Photomatix website and check it out. Hey, it’s better than a sharp stick in the eye. This is the same thing the priest said at my wedding. I wrote a short Photomatix Review, but most of that info and more is included right here in this tutorial.

Noiseware (optional) – I have tried a multitude of “noise reduction” software packages. You’ll notice that the HDR process can create a bit of noise, to say the least. I use Noiseware Professional, and one of the nice guys over there gave the not-so-surprising Noiseware Coupon code of “STUCKINCUSTOMS” to my readers. You can order it from the Imagenomic website or you can read my Noiseware Review, but it is also mentioned below.

Topaz Adjust (optional) – This product can help bring some contrast and pop into the final product. I have a Topaz Adjust Review here on the site if you want to read more. They give my readers a Topaz Adjust Coupon of “STUCKINCUSTOMS” as well to save you some dough.

Lucis Pro (optional) – I’ve also started using Lucis Pro more and more. It’s a lot like LucisArt, but it’s even better. I’ve written a Lucis Pro Review and a Lucis Tutorial here on the site, which maybe you can save for later. The same coupon code for LucisArt applies here of “TREYRATCLIFF”. She tells me it’s the best one available.