HDR test

Here are two HDR images created with Photomatix, each out of five RAWs
(+- 2EV, 0):

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=21
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=22

I tried to make them as photorealistic as possible, but with HDR it's
not easy, or perhaps I'm still not familiar with Photomatix (just bought
the software. What do you think?
--
Alfred Molon

Olympus E-series DSLRs and micro 4/3 forum at
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
http://myolympus.org/ photo sharing site

On Sun, 30 Jul 2017 06:04:42 +0200, Alfred Molon
wrote:

Here are two HDR images created with Photomatix, each out of five RAWs
(+- 2EV, 0):

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=21
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=22

I tried to make them as photorealistic as possible, but with HDR it's
not easy, or perhaps I'm still not familiar with Photomatix (just bought
the software. What do you think?

I don't think either looks too HDR-ish, but I do think they could both
use a reduction in overall exposure, especially 22. In fact, 22 does
look a bit more unnatural than 21, but darkening it might be all
that's needed.

On Jul 29, 2017, Alfred Molon wrote
(in . com):

Here are two HDR images created with Photomatix, each out of five RAWs
(+- 2EV, 0):

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=21
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=22

I tried to make them as photorealistic as possible, but with HDR it's
not easy, or perhaps I'm still not familiar with Photomatix (just bought
the software. What do you think?

As an early effort they are not bad at all, but you are not going to get away
without me making a few observations:
First Photomatix is not the easiest, or most forgiving when it comes to
making subtle adjustments with the tone mapping, but you have done well to
control things. However, that is the tool you have so just work with it and
try to understand how each of their adjustments is going to change the
result. An light hand will always work best.

Then consider that the 5 shot bracket with a 2EV step is going to give you an
8EV range. You might try a less extreme 1EV step, giving you a 4EV range.
Experimentation is a good thing. The goal is to get a 32-bit file which will
not have blown highlights, and from which you can pull detail out of the
shadows without eliminating them. Then always remember that balancing
saturation, and contrast is going to add to the reality of any HDR rendering.

With both images you are on the verge of overcooking them. Consider that if
you are looking for photorealistic results shadows, and how they are rendered
can make a big difference, as can where you initial exposure is taken and the
other compositional considerations.

In image #21 the HDR might have benefited from the use of an ND Grad filter
to help balance the sky, and reduce some of the flare.

In image #22 some deepening of the shadows in post could help with the
appearance of the figures, and trees in the square, which without realistic
shadows take on an artificial look.

--

Regards,
Savageduck

In article .com,
Savageduck says...
In image #22 some deepening of the shadows in post could help with the
appearance of the figures, and trees in the square, which without realistic
shadows take on an artificial look.

Thanks for the feedback, but actually there isn't much in terms of
shadows. Here is how the 0EV processed RAW looks like:
http://www.molon.de/images/P61710041.jpg

I'll try process again these HDRs, to add more contrast.
--
Alfred Molon

Olympus E-series DSLRs and micro 4/3 forum at
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
http://myolympus.org/ photo sharing site

On 30/07/2017 05:04, Alfred Molon wrote:
Here are two HDR images created with Photomatix, each out of five RAWs
(+- 2EV, 0):

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=21
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=22

I tried to make them as photorealistic as possible, but with HDR it's
not easy, or perhaps I'm still not familiar with Photomatix (just bought
the software. What do you think?

A shade too unrealistic for me.

Viewed on a Windows monitor (in case the Apple/Windows gamma difference
assumption still exists).

--
Cheers,
David
Web: http://www.satsignal.eu

Alfred Molon:

Here are two HDR images created with Photomatix, each out of five RAWs
(+- 2EV, 0):

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=21
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=22

I tried to make them as photorealistic as possible, but with HDR it's
not easy, or perhaps I'm still not familiar with Photomatix (just bought
the software. What do you think?

I think they are iconic HDR. A bit garish, reduced contrast,
unrealistic colors. Normal exposure with perhaps a touchup of light and
shadow areas in Lightroom would likely have produced better.

--
I agree with almost everything that you have said and almost everything that
you will say in your entire life.

usenet *at* davidillig dawt cawm

Alfred Molon:
...

Thanks for the feedback, but actually there isn't much in terms of
shadows. Here is how the 0EV processed RAW looks like:
http://www.molon.de/images/P61710041.jpg

I'll try process again these HDRs, to add more contrast.

And lose the blue cast. Lightroom. This is a job for Lightroom because
it's proven to fix such photos quickly and without making them look
unrealistic.

--
I agree with almost everything that you have said and almost everything that
you will say in your entire life.

usenet *at* davidillig dawt cawm

In article , David Taylor
wrote:

Here are two HDR images created with Photomatix, each out of five RAWs
(+- 2EV, 0):

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=21
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Georgi...img.php?pic=22

I tried to make them as photorealistic as possible, but with HDR it's
not easy, or perhaps I'm still not familiar with Photomatix (just bought
the software. What do you think?

A shade too unrealistic for me.

Viewed on a Windows monitor (in case the Apple/Windows gamma difference
assumption still exists).

yet another bogus assumption of yours.

not only has the gamma been the same for years, it didn't actually make
any difference when the display was properly calibrated and profiled,
which it obviously would be in even the slightest serious photo work.

if the display wasn't calibrated, then anything goes, regardless of
gamma.

On Jul 30, 2017, Davoud wrote
(in article ):

Alfred Molon:
...

Thanks for the feedback, but actually there isn't much in terms of
shadows. Here is how the 0EV processed RAW looks like:
http://www.molon.de/images/P61710041.jpg

I'll try process again these HDRs, to add more contrast.

And lose the blue cast. Lightroom. This is a job for Lightroom because
it's proven to fix such photos quickly and without making them look
unrealistic.

Currently *Photo Merge to HDR* in Lightroom delivers the most realistic HDR
results of any of the HDR processing tools, with none of the stereotypical,
overcooked HDR characteristics.

Photomatix which Alfred has used here, leans towards oversaturation, low
contrast, and glowing edge haloes. It is tough to make subtle adjutments to
get a truly realistic result from Photomatix tone mapping.

--

Regards,
Savageduck

On 7/30/2017 12:00 PM, Savageduck wrote:
On Jul 30, 2017, Davoud wrote
(in article ):

Alfred Molon:
...

Thanks for the feedback, but actually there isn't much in terms of
shadows. Here is how the 0EV processed RAW looks like:
http://www.molon.de/images/P61710041.jpg

I'll try process again these HDRs, to add more contrast.

And lose the blue cast. Lightroom. This is a job for Lightroom because
it's proven to fix such photos quickly and without making them look
unrealistic.

Currently *Photo Merge to HDR* in Lightroom delivers the most realistic HDR
results of any of the HDR processing tools, with none of the stereotypical,
overcooked HDR characteristics.

Photomatix which Alfred has used here, leans towards oversaturation, low
contrast, and glowing edge haloes. It is tough to make subtle adjutments to
get a truly realistic result from Photomatix tone mapping.

For what it's worth, here's a test series I did w/Photomatix.
Three RAWs (+/- 1EV, 0) [ My camera only does 3 shot brackets :-( ]


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s1pgfjmad...bmdWPB_La?dl=0

I believe I managed to avoid over saturation and glowing edge halos. The
contrast
may be a bit low.
--
==
Later...
Ron C
--



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