Another step closer to better tonemapping...

robertandrewphoto · Oct 4, 2011

Went out to shoot pictures for a friends band today, lighting was good for HDR so I figured I'd take one just to take one.

The subject is very weak in this but I am just very happy with the tonemapping, so please just comment on that as I already know the subject isn't ideal.

I feel like I am getting a lot better at this after 2 years and may have finally got my tonemapping close to where I want it to be

UPDATED VERSION

On this one I adjusted the curves, sharpened using a highpass filter, and did slight noise reduction (I don't have a very good program so it didnt reduce very well)

Bynx · Oct 4, 2011

Commenting on just the tone mapping.......excellent job. The sky isnt bad, and everything else has a very natural feel to it. The overall processing has the pic kinda flat with no punch. A bit of denoising and unsharp mask would really improve your final result

robertandrewphoto · Oct 4, 2011

Bynx said:
Commenting on just the tone mapping.......excellent job. The sky isnt bad, and everything else has a very natural feel to it. The overall processing has the pic kinda flat with no punch. A bit of denoising and unsharp mask would really improve your final result

I'll give it a try later tonight and I'll post a new edit, thanks

ann · Oct 4, 2011

a bit of tweaking with curves would help the contrast.

robertandrewphoto · Oct 5, 2011

Updated the shot with both of your suggestions. It's subtle but looks a lot better in my opinion

Bynx · Oct 5, 2011

Yup I agree. Much better and looks more 3D than the previous version. Good job.

SlickSalmon · Oct 5, 2011

These two images nicely illustrate the fact that what comes out of Photomatix (or any tone-mapping program) isn't a finished product. Additional post-processing is almost always needed. Personally, I have a set of basic adjustments that I do so often, I might as well write a macro.

pathoulihan1 · Oct 5, 2011

I agree with everything that's been said already, the second version of the shot makes me feel like I'm looking at the scene not just a picture of it.

Well done! Now take your tone mapping and post skills and apply them to a photogenic scene, I look forward to seeing those results.

-Pat

DiskoJoe · Oct 5, 2011

for noise reduction I use Neat Image. Very nice and very cheap. Careful though, it is quite a powerful tool and over smoothing can result easily if you dont watch it.

Neat Image - best noise reduction for digital cameras and scanners

robertandrewphoto · Oct 5, 2011

I'll try that out disko, I just downloaded a Topaz pack and that's workin pretty nice but I'm definetly open to new programs.

And I'm planning on shooting again Monday so I should have a better scene by then, hopefully with similar results

Majeed Badizadegan · Oct 5, 2011

Sorry to point out the obvious but there is halo-ing in this image on the skyline. Halo-ing is NEVER ok. So for me who does a lot with HDR it's hard to look past that. The sky looks good and other elements are ok. I like when HDR is photorealistic and does not misrepresent the scene as you saw it. You might be served by making available your exposure stack and see how others would process it.

robertandrewphoto · Oct 5, 2011

I'm not trying to have one of the photoshoot out's with this because it is not a good picture so I'm not going to post the original files.

I honestly don't see much haloing at all, and I feel like it would be VERY noticeable in the top right corner where the branches have no leaves on them, but there is nothing there.
Maybe it's my screen, maybe it's yours but I'm not seeing it.

Majeed Badizadegan · Oct 6, 2011

Your foliage is glowing. I don't want to sugar coat it because that doesn't help anyone. Look at the border where your sky meets the tree line. There is certainly a hazy type of glow effect directly associated with HDR processing. This glow can be seen all along the border of your foliage in the skyline. Posting the pics was just a thought, but I understand your reasoning for not.

Bynx · Oct 6, 2011

Actually for a shootout this kind of pic is ideal because its not the kind of pic that would ever be a wall hanger. But it is interesting to see how others produce dramatically different outcomes using the same files. The halo is there but is a little more subtle than usually seen.

robertandrewphoto · Oct 6, 2011

Rotanimod said:
Your foliage is glowing. I don't want to sugar coat it because that doesn't help anyone. Look at the border where your sky meets the tree line. There is certainly a hazy type of glow effect directly associated with HDR processing. This glow can be seen all along the border of your foliage in the skyline. Posting the pics was just a thought, but I understand your reasoning for not.

The sun is behind it, I guess that may be why it looks natural to me because that's kinda how it actually looked.