[HDR-photo] xmp files

[Bernhard Vogl]

Hello Ferell,

Just some comments i like to add:

> Some cameras, like Nikon have a max 1EV step when using AEB mode, so in
> order to use AEB and get a +2EV and a -2EV sequence we need to shoot 5 images
> [...] Other camera's like Pentax, Fuji and Olympus only allow 3
> frames at a max of 1EV step (except for the Fuji S3 Pro which allows 2EV
> steps)

AFAIK, only the 5-shot bracketing on the D200 is limited to 1 EV range, choosing 3 steps should allow more than 1 EV.
Other cameras can also shoot 2 EV brackets. I personallly know that the older Fuji S2 and D70 can do and i think it's also standard for most other cameras.

> I believe we should always save our original RAW files, especially the 0EV
> for that single shot metered exposure of the scene. I think it would be
> nice but somewhat redundant if the HDR image contained info that the Raw file
> has, white balance, ISO, Color Mode, Focal length, lens used, etc. It
> doesn't change between exposures so it's not critical.

I think there is some use to also store extended image information in the XMP sidecar file, especially if you consider giving away the merged HDR to other people who won't have access to the original files.

Most modern DSLRs store a real-world brightness estimation in their EXIF data. I never cared about this information (until now), but it could be useful to use this information from the anchor image and combine it with the bracketed shots. This would make a good starting point for real-world illumination HDRs.

Best regards
Bernhard