Introduction - Multimedia Photo
Contents
1. Keep a constant aperture and ISO Control image exposure by changing the shutter speed in full stop increments Shoot a series of images starting with your brightest image elements highlights being slightly underexposed see figure 2 1 below to the darkest image elements shadows being slightly overexposed see figure 2 2 below You may or may not want or need to use every LDR image in the series for HDR generation and Tonemapping but you increase your options with this method Experiment with different combinations of the totally bracketed source images in Photomatix Pro to achieve your desired effect Check your DSLR s Histogram preview in playback mode to ensure that you have captured the entire tonal range of the image Self timer mode a cable release and mirror lock up options if available will help minimize any camera shake especially for exposures slower than 1 15 second Figure 2 1 Histogram depicts the brightest elements highlights slightly underexposed 100 0363 Adobe RGB 10 18 06 21 29 We 29 36 48 4M1 208 E0200 Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 2 Section 1 Tips for Taking Successful Source Images Fi ure 2 2 Histogram depicts the darkest image elements shadows slightly overexposed 100 0375 Adobe RGB 10 18 06 21 30 i 00 30 3 5 M 48 48 AM3 43m E0200 Manual Exposure Bracketing with Compact Digital Cameras Consult your camera s user manual to determine if manual expos2. Photomatix HDR Imaging for Photography Introduction High Dynamic Range HDR photography is a combination of a specialized image capture technique and image processing Photomatix Pro s HDR imaging processes combine several Low Dynamic Range LDR exposures of a single scene exposed for the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights By capturing multiple images at different exposures you can use Photomatic pro to achieve detail throughout the tonal range This manual offers step by step instructions for using the Photomatix Pro software to create HDR images as well as advice on how to make the optimal photographs for exposure blending This manual uses the following helpful icons Xx Useful information about the program s capabilities L Tips and recommendations for using the software This manual uses the following style shortcut to explain menu and command navigation Top Menu item gt Drop down menu item gt gt Pop up window option Photomatix Pro User Manual Table of Contents Table of Contents Section 1 Tips for Taking Successful Source Images ccccecceseeeeseeeeeeeeaeeeeaeeesaeeeeaes 1 Auto Exposure Bracketing AEB method for DSLR and compact digital cameras 1 Manual Exposure Bracketing for DSLR Cameras cccccceeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeens 2 Manual Exposure Bracketing with Compact Digital Cameras cccccseeeeseeeees 3 Film SLR photo techniques for creating HDR Source
3. adjust the radius and blending point of the exposure blending method Highlights and Shadows Adjust Option G Highlights amp Shadows Intensive Check Highlights amp Shadows Intensive and Light and or Enhanced to run the Highlights amp Shadows Intensive Exposure Blending methods amp Highlights amp Shadows Intensive Enhanced can only process 8 bit source images amp Selecting Highlights amp Shadows Intensive Enhanced will prompt a warning window when you click Run indicating that this option will take a long time to process Select Yes to run Highlights amp Shadows Intensive Enhanced or Cancel to abort this method Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 23 section 4 Batch Processing Step 3 Select a number of source images to process at a time 2 11 or All All should only be selected if a single series contains more than 11 source images or if you are using the Process Subfolders option If Allis selected Photomatix will attempt to process all images in each folder so it is important that only one series of source images be in each subfolder Xx It is possible to Batch Process multiple series of source images with varying numbers of source images if each series is in its own subfolder and All is selected Xx If all source images from multiple series are in a single folder each series must have the same number of source images Images are processed alphabetically so each series should be assign
4. Generating HDRI from 7 LDR images gt Saving result as Set01 HDR7from_A_PinkHouse1 hdr gt Processing HDR image with Details Enhancer gt Saving result as Set01 Enhancer7from_A_PinkHouse1 jpa gt Processing HDR image with Tone Compressor gt Saving result as Set01 Compressor7from_A_PinkHouse1 jpg gt Combining 7 images using Average gt Saving result as Set01 Average7from_A_PinkHouse1 jpg Combining 7 images using Highlights amp Shadows Auto gt Saving result as Set01Auto7from_A_PinkHouse1 jpg Combining 7 images using Highlights amp Shadows Adjust gt Saving result as Set01Adjust7from_A_PinkHouse1 jpg Batch successfully completed Results are in Users apple Desktop PinkHouse PhotomatixResults1 Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 25 section 4 Batch Processing Single File Processing In addition to batch processing multiple source files Photomatix Pro includes the Single File Conversion command under Automate gt Single File Conversion Following this command path will open the Batch Conversion of Single Files Command window This is useful for applying one set of Details Enhancer Tonemapping settings to several HDR source images at once This command box can also convert single 16 bit or RAW images into 32 bit HDRs in either hdr or exr formats amp Only one conversion method is available at a time You cannot convert from HIGH to LOW and LOW to HIGH in a single session To Convert HDR source images
5. 0 CourthouseSeries EA EEA G CourthouseSeries gt W A_MG_0364 jpg N i E A MG 0366 jpg ES A_MG_0367 jpg ES A MG 0369 jpg FS A MG_037Ljpg E Macintosh HD E My Book Ht apple Applications i Documents lity Movies C Music Pictures m 4 g a Cancel Select Step 3 Highlight the LDR source images for HDR Generation and click Select The Generate HDR Loading source images window will display Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 5 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping Generate HDR Loading source images Differently exposed images for HDR generation Use already opened images A_MG_0364 jpg A_MG_0366 jpg mee A M 0367 jpg Load images Browse A MG 0369 jpg Cancel Step 4 The selected images will appear in the Generate HDR Loading source images window Click OK The Selecting alignment and curve options window will appear Ae 8 Generate HDR Selecting alignment and curve options Cancel W Align source images before generating HDR y f Assume standard tone curve recommended _ Attempt to recover tone curve applied No tone curve applied linear pixel values Step 5 Select Assume standard tone curve recommended or Attempt to recover tone curve applied Check Align source images if necessary Click OK A progress bar will display in the Generate
6. Step 3 Select Align Images if necessary and click OK Photomatix Pro outputs a blended photograph entitled H amp S 2 Images Step 4 File gt Save will save your image Rename select save location and file type if desired You can try different combinations of two source images to make the most pleasing output image Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 15 Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu Highlights and Shadows Auto This method combines all open images into one output image without offering the user any adjustment options Step 1 Open your source images into Photomatix Pro via File gt Open command path Use Shift or Command to select and open multiple files at once Step 2 Select Combine gt Highlights amp Shadows Auto A window will appear stating which source images will be used OOO m mco OOO n mcd O OO Rm mco OO Om mco i O O B Highlights amp Shadows Auto Estimated processing times 3 seconds estimated for a 7FOOMHz 256Mb G4 The following images will be combined _MG_0371x jpq _MG_0375x jpa _MG_0364 jpq MG_0369x jpg C Align images before combining C Cancel C OK Step 3 Click OK Photomatix Pro will output an image titled H amp S Auto H amp S Auto 100 Step 4 File gt Save will save your image Rename select save location and file type if desired amp If you have many source images experiment with different numbers and combinatio
7. an xmp file 3x Edit gt Undo will undo the tonemapping settings applied to the HDR output image The output image will revert to a 32 bit HDR image which can be tonemapped again 3x The Tonemapping window offers additional Settings which are explained after Tonemapping with Tone Compressor instructions on page 14 Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 9 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping Tonemapping with Tone Compressor Step 1 HDR gt Tonemapping will launch the active open HDR image into the Tonemapping tool If you have followed the Generate command path to create a new HDR source image it will be the active image Otherwise open a saved HDR image via File gt Open Step 2 From the Tonemapping window highlight the Details Enhancer dropdown box and select Tone Compressor The preview window will look very similar to the preview displayed using Details Enhancer however the image adjustment slider controls will represent the Tone Compressor functions 088 _ Tone Mapping Bit depth output image 8 bit 16 bit Method y Details Enhancer s Tone Compressor f _ 360 image Cancel OK Strength Micro contrast Micro smoothing f x f f Previous Load poa Defaut Save Preview Size 512 ON O 768 C 1024 Step 3 Use the eight slider controls to adjust the image The preview window provides a view of what the image will look like once it is converted to an 8 b
8. and mountain it is suggested to follow a similar alphabetical convention castle1 jpg castle2 jog castle3 jog and mountain1 tif mountain2 tif mountains tif Following these logical alphabetical naming conventions will help keep LDR source images organized for the user and will also work with the alphabetical logic of the Batch Processing feature of Photomatix Pro See section 4 for more on Batch Processing Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 4 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping HDR GENERATION step 1 Use the HDR gt Generate HDR gt gt Load Images command path to generate the 32 bit HDR source image instead of generating an HDR from previously opened images Follow this command path and the Generate HDR Loading source images window will display 008 Generate HDR Loading source images Differently exposed images for HDR generation ready opened im iges 5 Load images Browse Cancel OK step 2 Check Load Images and click Browse The Select inout LDR images window will display to follow a path to load your LDR source files 7x Photomatix Pro can process and generate an HDR image from 8 bit 16 bit and Camera RAW source files Supported file types for 8 bit and 16 bit images include JPG TIFF PSD Photomatix Pro supports RAW files from Canon Nikon Fuji Olympus Konica Minolta Sony Pentax and Panasonic AN O Select input LDR images for HDRI a m
9. the proper exposure some underexposed and some overexposed o Most current DSLRs and compact digital cameras allow the user to select the amount of over under exposure in one third or one half increments The suggested exposure increment is 2 for optimal exposure range Consult the camera manual for model specific instructions on choosing this setting DSLR LCD window showing AEB icon with 2 increments selected Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 1 Section 1 Tips for Taking Successful Source Images After capturing the bracketed images check the histogram previews in playback mode to ensure that you have captured a good range of exposures amp You may also increase the number of source images of the same scene to be blended in Photomatix Pro by selecting a different Auto Exposure Bracketing Exposure Value after capturing the first series For example if you AutoBracket at 2 and then at 1 you will have six images but the two properly exposed images will be identical Discard one of the duplicated properly exposed images and you will have five LDR source images 2 1 0 1 2 for exposure blending Manual Exposure Bracketing for DSLR cameras In scenes with extreme differences between light and dark details manual exposure bracketing over a greater exposure value range may provide better source images than Auto Exposure Bracketing Choose a low ISO to minimize noise and make the highest quality source images
10. to an 8 bit or 16 bit image that incorporates the entire expanded tonal range of the HDR source image 0086 Tone Mapping Strength Bit depth output image 8 bit 16 bit Method Details Enhancer o Light Smoothing a Luminosity Micro contrast Micro smoothing Black Clipping Settings a m f Previous Load Defaut Save Preview Size 512 ON O 768 O 1024 Depending on the HDR file size and your computer s hardware configuration it may take several seconds for the preview window to update and redraw Details Enhancer incorporates the following image quality adjustment sliders Strength Controls the strength of contrast enhancements A value of 100 gives the maximum increase in both local and global contrast Color Saturation Controls the saturation of the RGB color channels The greater Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 7 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping the saturation the more intense the color The value affects each color channel equally Light Smoothing Controls smoothing of light variations throughout the image A higher value tends to reduce halos and give a more natural look to the resulting image A lower value tends to increase sharpness Luminosity Controls the compression of the tonal range which has the effects of adjusting the global luminosity level Moving the slider to the right has the effect of boosting shadow details and brighten
11. 856 jpg step 2 Select Combine gt Average There are no user inputs for this command Photomatix Pro will output a file entitled Average which is derived from stacking your source images 3 st F_MG_0849 jpg OO O Wi F_MG_0856 jpg Average 100 Step 3 File gt Save will save your image Rename select save location and file type if desired Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 14 Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu Highlights and Shadows 2 images Photomatix Pro will combine two and only two images when this command is selected If more than two source images are available Photomatix Pro will select two which will yield the best results Step 1 Open your source images into Photomatix Pro via File gt Open command path Step 2 Combine gt Highlights amp Shadows 2 images If more than two images are open the following warning will appear Note This Highlights amp Shadows method works with 2 images Photomatix will combine only two of your source images Step 2 A Click Continue A dialog box will display informing the user which two source photographs will be combined OOO ws F_MG_0849 a diih iOO H amp S Details 2 images i Ki li E l l l Estimated processing times 2 seconds estimated for a 7OOMHz 256Mb G4 The following images will be combined F_MG_0852 jpg F_MG_0856 jpg Align images before combining O Mi F_MG_0856 F Cancel
12. HDR Selecting alignment and curve options window Once the HDR is generated the HDR image and HDR Viewer window will display on screen A_MG_0364_66_67_69_71 100 n Step one of the two step process is complete Until tonemapping is applied the 32 bit image seen on screen will not display with a full tonal range HDR Viewer A_M X 285 Y 252 Lumin 0 2949 R 0 4144 G 0 2763 B 0 04864 amp Saving the 32 bit HDR image at this point will enable the user to apply different Tonemapping settings to the HDR source image without repeatedly following the Generate HDR procedure Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 6 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping TONEMAPPING There are two methods for Tonemapping the HDR image Details Enhancer Utilizes a local operator algorithm Tone Compressor Utilizes a global operator algorithm Tonemapping with Details Enhancer Photomatix defaults to this option when the Tonemapping window is opened Details Enhancer utilizes a local operator to develop the HDR image Step 1 HDR gt Tonemapping will launch the active open HDR image into the Tonemapping tool If you have followed the Generate command path to create a new HDR source image it will be the active image Otherwise open a saved HDR image via File gt Open Step 2 Use the eight slider controls to adjust the image The preview window provides a view of what the image will look like once it is converted
13. alphabetically Ensure that files to be processed are named in a logical alphabetical manner 3x Photomatix Pro can process subfolders with different numbers of source images in each folder and can filter by file type The following step by step instructions apply for all three batch processing functions Step 1 Open the Batch Processor via the Automate gt Batch Processing command path arate PROCESS v Generate HDR image f Settings v Process with Details Enhancer l Settings FA Process with Tone Compressor Settings _ Average Highlights amp Shadows Auto _ Highlights amp Shadows Adjust _ Highlights amp Shadows Intensive Select 3 HA images at a time number of images combined together files are selected alphabetically _ Align images LOCATION Source Folder Users apple Desktop PinkHouse f Choose _ Process subfolders Filter by file type All 3 All listed files will be processed 3 at a time If you select files with your mouse only those will be processed once Batch Processing of differently exposed images Cancel Destination folder Created under Source Folder Customized location 100 P JPEG A Save HDR image As Save As JPEG Quality Radiance RGBE hd F __ Remove HDR image after having processed it __ Use short file name for saving results Step 2 Select the processes to be automated At least one o
14. an be made with compact digital cameras advanced feature digital SLR cameras or film based SLR cameras from images scanned into your computer Photomatix can merge 8 and 16 bit photographs in JPEG PSD or TIFF format into HDR images Two pieces of universal advice for creating LDR source images 1 Still subjects work best Any moving object will be ghosted and may show up ghosted in different places in your blended HDR image An exception to this may be flowing water which follows a rhythmic pattern and can produce a soft dreamy effect with long exposures 2 It is suggested to use a tripod to keep your images completely aligned Photomatix incorporates Image Alignment functions but using a tripod is still recommended Auto Exposure Bracketing AEB method for DSLR and compact digital cameras It is recommended to shoot with available light A flash may try to balance the exposure of all the images when a range of exposures is the goal Select a low ISO to minimize image noise Select Continuous shooting mode on the camera s drive setting to ensure that the bracketed photos will be captured with a single depression of the shutter button o Consult the camera manual for model specific instructions on choosing this setting If possible use the camera s self timer setting or a cable release to minimize camera shake Set the camera to Auto Exposure Bracketing AEB which takes several photographs of a scene in a row one at
15. ding via the Combine Menu Highlight amp Shadows Adjust Resulting blended image Step 4 File gt Save will save your image Rename select save location and file type if desired Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 18 Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu Highlights amp Shadows Intensive This exposure blending method only works with 8 bit source images Step 1 Open your source images into Photomatix Pro via File gt Open command path Use Shift or Command to select and open multiple files at once Step 2 Select Combine gt Highlights amp Shadows Intensive A preview window will display F_MG_0849 jpg 40 OO8 se Highlights amp Shadows Intensive x se REFRESH Method i Light Enhanced wi Emphasized Colors Precision Estimated processing time 1 minutes for a 700 MHZ 256 MB G4 The following files will be combined F _MG_0852 jpg O FMG 0856 jpg 40 F_MG_0856 jpq 0 F_MG_0849 jpg a ka l Cancel E Ok Eai Ali gt Align images Preview Size 200x200 350x350 500x500 Step 3 Select either Light or Enhance lf Enhance is chosen Enhance Colors is an option The Enhance method tends to produce a higher dynamic range but appears to be more artificial and produce more halos and artifacts than the Light method amp Experiment with both options to obtain your desired results Step 4 Select a setting on the Precision slide
16. e As Radiance RGBE hdr O W Remove HDR image after having processed it Use short file name for saving results Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 24 section 4 Batch Processing Step 6A Select a file type for saving JPEG or TIFF If JPEG is selected select a JPEG Quality from 10 100 Step 6B Select an HDR file type for saving an HDR Radiance RGBE or OpenEXR if applicable Step 6C Check Remove HDR image after having processed it to save only the Tonemapping results and not the 32 bit HDR image if applicable Step 6D Check Use short file names for saving results if desired Xx Checking this option results in short file names that do not reference the source images For example if you Select Use Short File Names and run Generate HDR Details Enhancer and Highlights amp Shadows Auto and select Save HDR the resultant files will be named 01HDR hadr 01Enhancer jog and 01 Auto jpg Without this option selected the file names will be longer and will reference the source files set01HDR2from_A_PinkHouse3 hdr Set01Enhancer2from_A_PinkHouse3 jpg and Set01Auto2from_A_PinkHouse3 jpg Step 7 Click Run to start batch processing The window below the RUN command will show the status of each process in real time When Processing is completed it will state Batch successfully completed Results are in Location PhotomatixResults of files as selected in Step 6 gt Loading 7 images starting from A_PinkHouse1 jpg gt
17. ed a logical naming method as described in Section 2 For example A_Castle1 jog A_Castle2 jog A_Castle3 jog followed by B_Sunrise1 jpg B Sunrise2 jog B_Sunrise3 jpg Step 4 Check Align Images if necessary to correct for slight camera movement between source photographs Step 5 Choose a source folder Click Choose to route to your source images Step 5A Check Process Subfolders if there are subfolders to be processed amp Use Process Subfolders if you have multiple series of source images which vary in the number of source images they contain The Batch Processor can process series with varying numbers of source images if each series is in its own subfolder and All is selected Step 5B Select file type from the Filter by File Type dropdown if necessary Options are All TIFF JPEG PSD RAW L This option is useful if a source folder contains RAW JPEG from a camera and you are processing only one file type Step 6 Select Destination Folder location Checking Created under Source Folder will put the Batch Processing results in subfolders within the source folder Checking Customized Location allows you to select a specific different location on your computer Click Choose to select the location The resulting folder will be prefixed by PhotomatixResult Destination tolder wy Created under Source Folder Customized location f Users apple Desktop PinkHouse Save As JPEG iZ JPEG Quality 100 j Save HDR imag
18. ffers several low dynamic range exposure blending methods Each method is explained in this section Average Method Highlights and Shadows 2 images Highlights and Shadows Auto Highlights amp Shadows Adjust Highlights amp Shadows Intensive These blending methods combine 8 and 16 bit source photographs into a single image using the existing shadow and highlight detail from the multiple source images to make a single final blended image with an expanded tonal range Highlights amp Shadows Intensive method only supports 8 bit images There is no limit to the number of source images you can blend except when using Highlights amp Shadows 2 images which can only blend two photographs 3x Each of the Combine menu methods works by blending open images It is important to realize this and to only have one series of photographs open at a time ve You can experiment with exposure blending however it is mostly automatic Exposure blending can also be executed via the Batch Processing function which is recommended Batch Processing is particularly recommended for blending 16 bit source images Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 13 Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu Average Method Step 1 Open your source images into Photomatix Pro via File gt Open command path Use Shift or Command to select and open multiple files at once Y at F_MG_0849 jpg O O F_MG_0852 jpg F_MG_0
19. gs in XMP format in this command window t Batch Processing enables the user to apply both Details Enhancer and Tone Compressor tonemapping settings simultaneously wi When exif not found take EV spacing of Strength g0 ran a Color Saturation 76 Luminosity 4 Light Smoothing Micro contrast Micro smoothing 7 White Clipping 1 08 Black Clipping 3 10 Settings Previous l Load y d Default y W Save Photomatix Pro User Manul age 22 Page 22 section 4 Batch Processing Option C Process with Tone Compressor rea __ 3 Check Process with Tone Compressor and click the Settings button to open a window for making Tonal Range Compression 7 adjustments to the Tone Compressor E E a Tonemapping settings described in Section 2 A A A Cont t Adaptati 4 without a preview window You may load settings poe ete ae 8 in XMP format in this command window White Clipping 0 03 Black Clipping 0 00 Settings Previous Load i Default W Save _ 360 image seams should match Option D Average Check Average to combine your source images using the average method Option E Highlights amp Shadows Auto Check Highlights amp Shadows Auto to combine source images with the exposure blending method Highlights amp Shadows Auto Option F Highlights and Shadows Adjust Check Highlights and Shadows Adjust and click the Settings button to open a window to
20. images 0ccceeeeeeeeeeeees 3 Section 2 HDR Generation and TONEMAPPING c cccccceeceeseeeeeeeeeeeseeeeseeeeeseeeeeseeeeees 4 HDR GENERA TON sare n a aGecenuedveandecaseaaenoes 5 TONEMAPPING ere che coriecieee a Secret eevetiec tear ene eaneieccsectea est edinacd 7 Tonemapping with Details ENNancet cccccccsecceeeseeeeeeeeeeeeseeeseeeseeeeseeeseeeseeeaaes 7 Tonemapping with Tone COMPSESSOL ccccceececceeceeeeeeeeeeeeeceeeeseeeeseeessneeesanes 10 Additional Tonemapping SettiNnGS ccccccccceeccsseeceseecseeeseeeeseeesseeeseeeeseeeeseeeesees 12 section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu scccccsseeeceeeeeeeeeeeneeeesneeees 13 Average INICIO astro sie toes E an ance ees alec 14 Highlights and Shadows 2 iMaQES lt c0 cceseeecesecesceeeesceececeesecceeeecceseescesesceesenes 15 AIGhliGghts and Shadows A UlO vesiecdsew ate ntedhonten ciel E a anos cavieiecke 16 PAGING MIS e Shadows Adj US Temor E aed tte terete RRT uate 17 Highlights amp Shadows INTENSIVE eonennek A EE ER E A 19 SeGCUOM 4 BAlGMPTOCCSSING eioan a E O tak eter celine 21 DINGIC File IP FOCCS SING erica a a a 26 Photomatix Pro User Manual Section 1 Tips for Taking Successful Source Images Section 1 Tips for Taking Successful Source Images A great final HDR photograph starts with several differently exposed Low Dynamic Range LDR source images of the same scene Photographs c
21. ing the image Moving it to the left gives a more natural look to the resulting image Micro contrast Sets the level of accentuation of local details The default value 2 is often the optimal one Micro smoothing Smoothes out local details enhancement This has the effect of reducing noise in the sky for instance and tends to give a cleaner look to the resulting image White Clipping Black Clipping Both sliders control how the minimum and maximum values of the output image are set Moving the sliders to the right increases global contrast Moving them to the left reduces the clipping at the extremes The White Clipping slider sets the value for the maximum pure white or level 255 The Black Clipping slider sets the value for the minimum pure black or level 0 O MANG_03 In the example above the HDR image was generated from these five LDR low bit source images Step 3 Once you are satisfied with the results of the Details Enhancer adjustments select a bit depth 8 bit is the default Click OK to create the low bit output image amp For further processing in an image editing application 16 bit is recommended This is particularly recommended for print output Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 8 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping Step 4 Save the resultant file File gt Save Rename select save location and file type if desired HDR gt Save settings will save the applied tonemapping settings as
22. it or 16 bit image that incorporates the entire expanded tonal range of the HDR source image Depending on the HDR file size and your computer s hardware configuration it may take several seconds for the preview window to update and redraw Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 10 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping Tone Compressor incorporates the following image quality adjustment sliders Brightness Influences the tone mapping process done on the HDR image in regards to overall image brightness Tonal Range Compression Controls how the tonal range of the 32 bit image is compressed into the 0 256 range of 8 bit monitors The higher the value the more both shadows and highlights will be shifted toward the center of the histogram This tonemapping method ignores local context Contrast Adaptation Adjusts the HDR contrast White Clipping Black Clipping Both sliders control how the minimum and maximum values of the output image are set Moving the sliders to the right increases global contrast Moving them to the left reduces the clipping at the extremes The White Clipping slider sets the value for the maximum pure white or level 255 The Black Clipping slider sets the value for the minimum pure black or level 0 Step 4 Once you are satisfied with the results of the Tone Compressor adjustments select a bit depth 8 bit is default and click OK to create the low bit output image Step 5 Save the resultant file Fi
23. le gt Save Rename select save location and file type if desired HDR gt Save settings will save the applied tonemapping settings as an xmp file Xx Edit gt Undo will undo the tonemapping settings applied to the HDR output image The output image will revert to a 32 bit HDR image which can be tonemapped again The HDR image above was generated from these seven LDR source files Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 11 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping Additional Tonemapping Settings In addition to the image adjustment slider controls the Tonemapping Preview window includes several other options and settings which apply to both Details Enhancer and Tone Compressor Bit Depth output image 8 bit is the program s default Select 16 bit for 16 bit output This can be changed under Photomatix Pro gt Preferences gt gt Tonemapping Previous Load Default Save These four options allow the user to use pre set values in both the Details Enhancer and Tone Compressor preview windows Previous reverts to the last user settings Default resets the controls to program default Save allows the user to save settings in XMP format Extensible Metadata Platform and Load allows the user to load previously saved settings in XMP format Preview The program default is ON Click the ON button to turn the preview window off Photomatix Pro offers three preview sizes 512 768 1024 Select the radio button for desired size amp Hoveri
24. mized location Step 3 Click Select Folder to locate the folder you wish to process step 4 Choose an output destination Check Created Under Source Folder to have the output files saved to the same location as the source files or Check Customized Location to select another location on your computer In the case of Source Folder the result will be saved ina sub folder prefixed by PhotomatixConversion Step 5 Click Run to process the files The window at the bottom of the command box will display the progress as the files are processed Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 27
25. ng the cursor over a section of the preview will bring up a 100 Magnification view of the selected area of the preview Click the mouse to zoom in to 100 Click the mouse again to return to full image preview Cancel Closes the preview window without outputting a LDR image OK Closes the preview window and outputs the 8 bit or 16 bit image The Details Enhancer method also offers a 360 image option This option needs to be checked when the image processed Is an equirectangular image intended to be viewed as a 360 panorama Given that Details Enhancer takes into account local contrast the 360 seams of an equirectangular image will be assigned different tonal values which will result in a visible seam once the resulting image is rendered in a panorama viewer Checking this option will correct for this This option should only be checked for equirectangular 360 images Checking it in other cases may produce less optimal results Checking this option increases the amount of memory necessary to process the image by about 50 Processing times will also be increased 3x The Tonemapping tool can also be used to process a single 16 bit or Camera RAW image Open the image then follow the HDR gt Tonemapping command path for processing Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 12 Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu In addition to true HDR processing Photomatix Pro also o
26. ns of source images to obtain your desired results Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 16 Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu Highlights amp Shadows Adjust This method allows the user to control the blending point and radius of the blended image and provides a preview window Step 1 Open your source images into Photomatix Pro via File gt Open command path Use Shift or Command to select and open multiple files at once Step 2 Select Combine gt Highlights amp Shadows Adjust A preview window will display the exposure blending of your open source images Highlights amp Shadows Adjust S G_tikayeOVER Blending Point Radius _ Align images Zoom Out O O O G_TikayeUNDEf The following files will be combined G_TikayeNORMAL tif nm G_tikayeOVER tif 0 G_TikayeUNDER tif Cancel Eok amp The sliders to the left and below the preview move the image section in the preview window which is defaulted to a detailed partial view Click Zoom Out for a full image preview Step 3 Adjust the controls to achieve the desired effect and click OK Blending Point Shift this control to the right to favor overexposure left for underexposure Radius A higher radius increases sharpness and blending accuracy but may produce halo artifacts Photomatix Pro will output an Exposure Blended file titled H amp S Adjust Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 17 Section 3 Exposure Blen
27. ption described below Options A G must be selected to run the Batch Processor Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 21 Option A Generate HDR image Check Generate HDR image and click the Settings button to open an option window which will allow input of EV spacing if no EXIF information is found in the source files If source images are RAW White Balance may be selected If White Balance is not selected as shot will be used Click Preview sample to select the proper white balance Outout Color Soace may also be selected Click OK to save settings and close window 0688 aaith Processing of diferentiy exposed Ls c a PROCESS General Settings Generate HDR image Process with Details Er Process with Tone Con Average Settings when source images are RAW files Highlights amp Shadows White Balance Custom Kel Highlights amp Shadows Highlights amp Shadows _ Ug ate 1 Output Color Space Adobe RGB kK used for chromaticity coordinates HOR image i je Select 3 images al inumber of images combined together Settings when source images are 16 bits channel files _ Align images Use linear response curve LOCATION Option B Process with Details Enhancer Check Process with Details Enhancer and click the Settings button to open a window which allows adjustments to the Details Enhancer Tonemapping settings described in Section 2 without a preview window You may load settin
28. r The setting defaults to 1 A higher precision setting increases sharpness and blending accuracy but may produce halo artifacts The higher the precision setting the longer it will take to process Step 5 Check Align Images if necessary amp You must click the Refresh button to update the preview after any adjustments are made or when the preview sliders are moved Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 19 Section 3 Exposure Blending via the Combine Menu Step 6 Click OK to output the combined image Cancel will close the window without outputting the previewed image Step 7 File gt Save will save your image Rename select save location and file type if desired Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 20 Section 4 Batch Processing Section 4 Batch Processing The Batch Processing function of Photomatix Pro allows the user to automate many of the Exposure Blending and HDR Tonemapping commands Batch Processing may be used to Apply several different exposure blending methods to one set of LDR source images Apply the same exposure blending settings to several different sets of source LDR images Apply both of the above processes at once applying many different exposure blending methods to several sets of source LDR images amp It is important to note that when processing different sets of LDR source images in a single folder each set must contain the same number of source images amp Batch Processing files are selected
29. r 16 bit value for each 32 bit pixel which can then be displayed and printed on conventional LDR monitors and printers while preserving the expanded tonal range of the 32 bit HDR source image amp Because the HDR generation process involves multiple files of the same scene it is highly recommended to use a logical and consistent naming format for each set of images that will be merged It is recommended to make a new folder for each set of HDR source images If you choose to add to the original file names from a digital camera it is suggested that the first group of images to be merged be retitled with A as the first character of the camera file names B for the second set of photographs and so on For example A_IMG0001 jog A_IMG0002 jpg and A_IMG0003 jpg for the first set to be merged to 32 bit HDR and B_IMG1001 jpg B_IMG1002 jpg B_IMG1003 jpg for the second set PinkHouse h i l j Jame Date Modified ew A_PinkHousel jpg Today 2 28 PM ew A_PinkHouse2 jpg Today 2 28 PM a A _PinkHouse3 jpq Today 2 29 PM a A_PinkHouse4 jpg Today 2 29 PM me A PinkHouseS jpg Today 2 30 PM me A_PinkHouse6 jpg Today 2 30 PM me A PinkHouse7 jpg Today 2 31 PM eee 7 items 11 69 GB available In the example above we have both alphabetized and numbered our descriptive file names for easy reference during processing If you choose to retitle your source images with more descriptive filenames such as castle
30. to Tonemapped LDR output files Step 1 Check the Tone Map into box Step 2 Select either 8 bit JPEG or 16 bit TIFF for output Step 3 Click Settings to adjust the Details Enhancer settings Follow from Step 4 on next page for converting from LOW to HIGH Dynamic Range O88 Batch Conversion of Single Files CONVERSION TYPE From HIGH to LOW Dynamic Range Mi Tone Map into FARES ase I with Details Enhancer Settings 16 bit TIFF T From LOW to HIGH Dynamic Range _ Convert into SOURCE f Select Folder Users apple Desktop untitled folder All files listed on the right will be processed unless you select specific files with your mouse DESTINATION M Created under Source Folder Customized location Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 26 Section 4 Batch Processing To Convert from LOW to HIGH Dynamic Range Step 1 Check the Convert into button Step 2 Select either Radiance RGBE hdr or OpenEXR exr O88 Batch Conversion of Single Files CONVERSION TYPE From HIGH to LOW Dynamic Range __ Tone Map into 8 bit JPE with Details Enhancer From LOW to HIGH Dynamic Range v Convert into Radiance RGBE hdr 3 l OpenEXR exr SOURCE Select Folder X Users apple Desktop untitled folder All files listed on the right will be processed unless you select specific files with your mouse DESTINATION Cancel Created under Source Folder Custo
31. ure is possible Follow the steps for Manual Exposure Bracketing with a DSLR L If your compact camera does not have AEB you can use the exposure compensation setting to manually bracket The series below shows the same scene captured at 2 0 and 2 LCD display Film SLR photo techniques for creating HDR source images Follow the advice for shooting with a DSLR keeping in mind that you will not have the option of previewing the live histogram to determine your exposure range Scan your film or slides not prints Photo labs will attempt to make the best print from each of your source images and you will not achieve good results scanning these in for HDR generation Turn off your scanner s auto exposure options so that you are manually controlling the exposure Choose the Align images option in Photomatix Pro to align your photos prior to HDR generation Photomatix Pro User Manual Page 3 Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping Section 2 HDR Generation and Tonemapping In order to create your final HDR photograph for display you must follow a two step process in Photomatix Pro The first step is to merge your Low Dynamic Range LDR source images into a single 32 bit HDR image Because of the bit depth a true 32 bit HDR image will not display properly on conventional monitors Inthe second step this 32 bit HDR image is then processed or developed via the Tonemapping tool The tonemapping tool sets an 8 o
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