07-16-2010, 02:09 PM
Hi Pinhole,
[quote name='Pinhole' date='16 July 2010 - 02:40 PM' timestamp='1279284030' post='1043']
Hi Chaps,
I've never really used these programmes, just dabbled with HDR software and tried (unsuccesfully) to merge 3 bracketed images in PS. But with pre-made HDR software I've noticed significant degradation of image quality and loss of fine tonal shifts in the greys - is this to be expected, or do the newer programmes/plugins solve this issue?
I like the idea of increasing dynamic range, but I don't like image degradation and OTT processing.
Regards,
Pinhole
[/quote]
When you want to increase the perceived dynamic range of a photograoh, and maintain the look of a normal photograph, you generally have to do a bit more than just apply a filter or straight forward settings. You'll end up working in layers a lot, with different layers for fore- and background, and/or for the areas in the low and high parts of the dynamic range, and essentially treat those differently and balance them. In a way like you would do in the darkroom in the past, overexposing some parts, underexposing others, and developing some parts of the image differently from others. Tools from companies like Nik Software and Topaz Labs make this process a lot easier, as they pack some tools where you can do the individual bits with a couple of sliders rather than having to go through hoops and loops, and a considerable larger amount of time.
OTT processing is both in th eye of the beholder, and in the hands (and mind) of the person doing the processing. You can go many ways with this, and what one person likes is not to the taste of another. However, these tools do aid you in processing the image exactly to your needs, styles, and (preconceived) visualisations. I can remember processing landscapes 4 or 5 years ago, taking me several days for a single image to achieve the perfect balance. The tools from Nik and Topaz allow me to do this in a few hours, more along the lines of my B&W imagery twenty or so years ago, so AFAIAC, money well spent.
You can go over the top with these tools, yes, but you don't have to <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />. And regarding the use of HDR software: this is an art in itself, part of which is familiarisation with the tool and the effects different settings have. Personally, I find it easier to work with tools like Nik and Topaz, basically because they are WYSIWIG, while with HDR tools, from what I have expereinced, you have to wait and see what you get, as an artificial very wide DR 32-bit image is never displayed properly until you compress it down to at most 16-bits.
HTH, kind regards, Wim
[quote name='Pinhole' date='16 July 2010 - 02:40 PM' timestamp='1279284030' post='1043']
Hi Chaps,
I've never really used these programmes, just dabbled with HDR software and tried (unsuccesfully) to merge 3 bracketed images in PS. But with pre-made HDR software I've noticed significant degradation of image quality and loss of fine tonal shifts in the greys - is this to be expected, or do the newer programmes/plugins solve this issue?
I like the idea of increasing dynamic range, but I don't like image degradation and OTT processing.
Regards,
Pinhole
[/quote]
When you want to increase the perceived dynamic range of a photograoh, and maintain the look of a normal photograph, you generally have to do a bit more than just apply a filter or straight forward settings. You'll end up working in layers a lot, with different layers for fore- and background, and/or for the areas in the low and high parts of the dynamic range, and essentially treat those differently and balance them. In a way like you would do in the darkroom in the past, overexposing some parts, underexposing others, and developing some parts of the image differently from others. Tools from companies like Nik Software and Topaz Labs make this process a lot easier, as they pack some tools where you can do the individual bits with a couple of sliders rather than having to go through hoops and loops, and a considerable larger amount of time.
OTT processing is both in th eye of the beholder, and in the hands (and mind) of the person doing the processing. You can go many ways with this, and what one person likes is not to the taste of another. However, these tools do aid you in processing the image exactly to your needs, styles, and (preconceived) visualisations. I can remember processing landscapes 4 or 5 years ago, taking me several days for a single image to achieve the perfect balance. The tools from Nik and Topaz allow me to do this in a few hours, more along the lines of my B&W imagery twenty or so years ago, so AFAIAC, money well spent.
You can go over the top with these tools, yes, but you don't have to <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />. And regarding the use of HDR software: this is an art in itself, part of which is familiarisation with the tool and the effects different settings have. Personally, I find it easier to work with tools like Nik and Topaz, basically because they are WYSIWIG, while with HDR tools, from what I have expereinced, you have to wait and see what you get, as an artificial very wide DR 32-bit image is never displayed properly until you compress it down to at most 16-bits.HTH, kind regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....
