Nik HDR Efex Pro Info

On November 5, Jim Smith from Sun City West presented an HDR Workshop at our classroom.  There were nearly 50 people in attendance from our club and other area clubs.  Jim gave a very detailed and informative description of what can be done to digital images using HDR software, specifically HDR Efex Pro.  He had numerous images that showed the before and after using the software.

This was the first time I had tried to use Nik HDR Efex Pro and I was impressed with the program.  I have been mainly using Photomatix but liked the Nik program with all the presets, the before/after screen, and the control points where you can make a number of localized changes instead of the whole image.  I did not see the capability to do batch processing like Photomatix (where I can take a number of multi-EV shots at an event, process one set to get a desired HDR effect, then use that same setting to do the rest of the event shots and let it run for a couple of hours til completion).  I also have read other comments that Photomatix has better ghosting and noise reduction.

All in all, Nik HDR Efex Pro is a very good program and I feel that a lot of our SIG members would prefer it.  It would be interesting to have a number of Nik vs Photomatix demos and comparisons done as part of our future SIG meetings.  Both programs are currently available for $80 using the discount codes on our blogsite (at the tab labelled: 2. Software Info).

Jim prefers working with jpeg images, and demonstrated using HDR Efex Pro both on multiple and single exposure images.  This brings up a number of points that we have been discussing during our SIG meetings:

1. The sensor in our digital camera is capable of producing a dynamic range greater than can be displayed on a monitor or a print.  They can deliver a 12 bit image (over 4,000 tonal values) vs an 8 bit image (256 tonal values) normally associated with a monitor or print.
2. A RAW image will preserve the 12 bit range while a jpeg compresses it down to 8 bits.  Therefore there will be a higher dynamic range captured in a RAW image vs a jpeg.  This is especially beneficial if you are working with a single image.  A multi-EV jpeg set, however, can produce a very good HDR image.
3. The interesting effect you get from processing a single image jpeg in an HDR program comes from the tone-mapping feature in these programs.  It is not an HDR image but is a tone-mapped image.  Tone mapping changes the tonal value of the pixels in an image with respect to their surrounding pixels.  This results in more contrast within clusters of pixels and makes the image "pop".
4. True HDR images are created by blending together multiple EV range images that will get rid of the "goal posts" in your histogram.  However, the problem then is that no monitor or print can handle this range, so the program then goes the next step to compress and tone-map it back to a range that can be displayed.  But the result sure looks better to our eyes than a single "goal post" image.

This is my understanding of the HDR process.  It's always interesting to compare this with what other people are discovering by their research and experimenting.  That's what makes our HDR SIG so great.  We can all learn and exchange info with others in our group and all benefit from the result.

Speaking of making photos "pop" here is a link to a video that Elisa Morris sent to me about fixing blurry photos:  http://tv.adobe.com/watch/max-2011-sneak-peeks/max-2011-sneak-peek-image-deblurring/

Bill Graczyk

MEETING MINUTES -- October 27, 2011

12 Members Present

1. Reminder of HDR Class to be presented by James Smith on November 5 at 1pm
2. No SIG meeting in November (Thanksgiving)
3. Next SIG meeting December 22 at 1pm
4. Reminder: PC1 in our lab has many HDR programs installed for members to try out.

Bill Graczyk presented suggestions on how to take and process HDR photos at an event like a Car Show where the subjects (car interiors, exteriors, and engines) are out in strong daylight (this means bright areas and deep shadow details) with limited camera accessibility and a lot of people around.  We viewed a number of HDR processed photos from the show.  Here is a summary of tips that were presented:

1. The objective in shooting under these conditions is to eliminate the tripod. There are too many people around and it is too difficult to get it set up in the exact location to get the best angle and to eliminate glare, reflections, and undesired elements.  This means taking the shots hand-held (good HDR software does a terrific job of aligning images) and to use the following camera settings, assuming you are using a good DSLR:
• Set Av to largest opening to give desired depth of field ( f8 or larger)
• Set photo quality to "RAW"
• Set continuous shooting of 3 frames at 0, -2, and +2 EV
• Set ISO at Auto ( with a range of 100 to 400 ) (going greater than 400 could yield "noise")
• Set exposure mode to "Evaluative"
• Set focus point at center
• Set White Balance to auto
• Get a steady footing, focus and push button half way, slowly exhale, hold steady and push shutter button down fully, holding steady until all 3 shots are finished
• Review your first couple of sets.  If your sets captured the full dynamic range and your slowest shutter speed is faster than 1/60, continue your shooting.  If your shutter speed is slower than 1/60 you may start getting blurry shots so you should consider a) using a larger aperture or b) reducing your EV range, or c) increasing your ISO.
2. If you have numerous photo sets, consider using "batch processing" if your HDR software program has it.  If you are using Photomatix, you have the following benefits:
• You can load in your whole session of shooting to automatically process
• Since the process is slow (I got 8 sets per hour), you can let it process while you do other things (I'd suggest checking periodically).
• You can set it to batch together only those photos taken within seconds of each other, so if you took some individual shots during the session, it will skip over those and not mess up your sequence.
• You must give thought to all the steps to set up the batch process since all the sets will be processed using the same adjustment settings.
3. Since all your sets have the same theme, you may want to set up a special "preset" of all the adjustment settings that suit your desired "look".  To do this, first process in Photomatix one set of photos that is representative of your session.  When you have moved all the adjustment levers to the right "look", click the "Presets" button in the lower left corner.  This will bring up a window where you can give this setting a name.  When you complete it, your new setting name will be there and you can select that as a new "preset".  You can select this preset when you batch process the rest of your session.

You may want to try out the "batch process" and "special preset" feature of your HDR program if it has one.  We can discuss it further at the next meeting.

Here are some of the HDR images taken at the recent Glendale Car Show:

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER

Yes, the HDR SIG meetings are on hold until October, but that doesn't mean that nothing is happening in the world of HDR.  I'll periodically update the blog as newsworthy information becomes available.  This means that I'm relying on the members to inform me of newsworthy HDR items -- and also your HDR images for inclusion on this site.

In the meantime, here are some items to let you know what's happening.

1. I recently took a week's trip through southern New Mexico.  Of course, I took a few pictures along the way including a number of 3 exposure pics for HDR possibilities.  I posted a number of these on this blog.  Click tab 1 at the top to see the 17 images I added.  These were all done with a handheld camera and processed with Photomatix.  Yes, I know the rulebook says to use a tripod -- but when you're taking pics outdoors in daylight in wide-angle mode and with with today's HDR software alignment features, you can do pretty well with a steady handheld approach (plus you don't have to hike around with that tripod getting in the way and you have more freedom with getting better angles).  (Hints:  use image stabilization, make sure your speed setting is above 1/30 sec for your max. overexposure frame, and tweak your ISO up a notch if needed to compensate for a slow shutter speed and of course use your RAW setting).
2. There is an interesting HDR article out by Uwe Steinmueller called "The Art of HDR Photography".  This is in 3 chapters and is included under tab 3 above.  You can also click here to get into it  Article
3. By the way, there are numerous examples of HDR images on the web.  I added a number of these in tab 3 above under "HDR Photos".
4. Marty informs me that there is a new beta out for Photomatix -- have not tried it.
5. Oloneo PhotoEngine software has been released.  It has a price tag of $149.  I have requested a complimentary copy for the lab and member discount from the company.  I'll let you know how they respond.
6. There is an intesting web page from a photographer that did an HDR Time Lapse video in Las Vegas called "24 Hours of Neon".  To view the video and read how he did it click here:  24 Hours of Neon  .  This would be a real challenge to anybody in our group who would like to attempt it.
7. I just got my new Android smartphone (Samsung Galaxy).  It has a 5mp camera as a feature.  I know the camera works but I'm still trying to master the whole affair so I feel pretty dumb at this stage.  There are also a number of HDR apps available that I'll eventually try out.  If anyone has used these, let the group know.
8. Speaking of the Android camera, there are apps available that make use of the gps features of the smartphone and can geotag photos with the location of where the photo was taken.  There are several of these avaiable, some for free.  If anyone has tried one or more, let us know.

Again, even though school is out, we can make summer an HDR learning experience.  I encourage you to contribute images, news events, and your personal notes and I'll add them here to our blog.

MEETING MINUTES

April 28, 2011 Meeting
11 members present

1. Discussed a Low Dynamic Range RAW photo. 80% of the pixels occupied 35% of the tonal range, resultiing in a fairly low-contrast image. A “curves adjustment” made some improvement, but Photomatix tonemapping made a much better result.
2. Discussed a Medium Dynamic Range RAW photo. There were hardly any pixels at the extremes, but they were equally distributed across the histogram. This resulted in a relatively flat looking image. A “curves adjustment” made some improvement. Tonemapping in Photomatix made a significant improvement. A +2 and a -2 exposure copies were made and then combined with the original exposure as an HDR/tonemapped image in Photomatix. This should even more improvement as the resulting mid-tones of the image were much more pleasing to the eye.
3. Discussed Trey Radcliff’s HDR Tips.. A unique philosophy that stresses “don’t overdo the technical stuff”, “Create what looks good to you”, and “have fun”. Here is a link to the article: 9 HDR Tips
4. Jerry W. presented a number of HDR images he created using the new “Artizen” HDR program. The images looked super without any visible indications of ghosting. He liked the program very much and recommends it to others.
5. A request was made to the members to submit their HDR phots to be added to our page in the Grand Photos web site. Here is a link to our photo page: HDR SIG Photo Link

MEETING MINUTES

March 24, 2011
10 members present.

1. We reviewed the new Grandphotos website and followed the links to the HDR site. There are various links there referencing various HDR programs, reviews, training, and videos. There is also a place to display member’s HDR photos -- email jpegs to bgraczyk@cox.net to include yours.
2. We discussed the HDR section in the forums section. Members can start discussions regarding HDR subjects that can be viewed and commented on by others.
3. A quick demo of the HDR software Artizen was given. There appears to be a lot of features in this program and members were favorably impressed with it. The price is $46 and a 25% rebate is available to our members. Check our club website for details.
4. A discussion was held on entering HDR photos in competitions. Some judges do not like the surreal effect of some of these. Some feel they are not truly “photographic”. We need to decide whether the effect we are after is “natural” or “artistic”.
5. We discussed whether jpegs or RAW photos should be used in HDR. There is more info in a RAW photo to work with, but some HDR programs do not have optimum RAW converters. Both end up giving good results.
6. Marty showed some HDR photos he made of home interiors -- really great.
7. We looked at and commented on a number of HDR photos that were posted on the internet. Some are pretty and some are pretty wild.
8. Jerry W. volunteered to give a more detailed look at the Artizen program for the next meeting.