HDR Soft Photomatix Pro Operation Manual

Photomatix Pro User Manual

Version 4.0

Contents

Introduction �� 1

1 Taking Photos for HDR ��2

1�1 Setting up the Camera �� 2

1�2 Selecting the Exposures �� 3

1�3 Using Film-Based Cameras�� 3

2 Loading and Pre-Processing Images �� 4

2�1 Merging Bracketed Images �� 4

2.1.1 Loading Bracketed Images �� 4

2.1.2 General Pre-Processing Options �� 6

2.1.3 Using the Selective Deghosting Tool�� 7

2.1.4 Pre-Processing Options for RAW Files �� 8

2�2 Working with Single Image Files �� 9

2.2.1 Options for Single RAW Image Files �� 9

3 Adjusting Images Using Tone Mapping or Exposure Fusion �� 10

3�1 Image Adjustment Workow��10

3�2 Image Adjustment Windows �� 11

3.2.1 Preview Window �� 11

3.2.2 Preset Thumbnails Panel �� 12

3�3 Tone Mapping Details Enhancer Settings�� 13

3�4 Tone Mapping Tone Compressor Settings �� 15

3�5 Exposure Fusion Adjust Settings �� 16

3�6 Exposure Fusion Intensive Settings �� 16

4 Automating with Batch Processing �� 17

4�1 Batch Processing Bracketed Photos �� 17

4.1.1 Using Batch Processing�� 17

4.1.2 Batch Processing Settings �� 18

4.1.3 Batch Processing Subfolders �� 19

4.1.4 Advanced Options �� 19

4�2 Batch Processing Single Image Files �� 20

5 Tips and Techniques�� 21

5�1 Integrating Lightroom with Photomatix Pro �� 21

5�2 Processing RAW les in Third-Party RAW Converters �� 21

5�3 Dealing with Noise �� 22

5�4 Photomatix Pro and Color Management �� 22

Glossary�� 23

Photomatix Pro User Guide

Introduction

Photomatix Pro works with photographs of the same scene taken under dierent exposure settings, often called “bracketed” images in reference to the auto-bracketing exposure functions available on many camera models. If you have not taken bracketed photos, you can start using Photomatix Pro with the sample images available from the download page of the Photomatix Pro website – http://www.hdrsoft.com. Use the information in Section 1, Taking Photos for HDR to try Photomatix with your own images.

This manual contains information about how to use Photomatix Pro to adjust images using dierent Tone Mapping or Exposure Fusion methods. All of the methods are accessed from one window within the application, making it easy to try dierent settings to achieve the results you want. Refer to Section 2, Loading and Pre- Processing Images and Section 3, Adjusting Images Using Tone Mapping or Exposure Fusion for detailed information about the dierent settings that are available.

Photomatix Pro User Guide

1 Taking Photos for HDR

The shooting phase is essential for getting good results with Photomatix. To photograph a high contrast scene, you need to take several exposures in order to capture information in both the highlights and the shadows of the scene. The exposures taken must properly cover the dynamic range of the scene, especially the shadows.

The number of photos you need depends on the scene. It also depends on the Exposure Value (EV) spacing separating the photos. If you take them in one-EV steps (e.g., -1, 0, +1 EV), you will need more photos than if you take them in two-EV steps (e.g., -2, 0, +2 EV). We recommend shooting in two-EV steps whenever possible.

High contrast scenes can be grouped into roughly two types depending on their dynamic range:

• Medium dynamic range scene: Most landscapes and other types of outdoor scenes fall into this category. Three exposures taken in two-EV steps (i.e. –2, 0 +2 EV), or ve exposures taken in one-EV steps, are usually sucient for this type of scene.

• High dynamic range scene: A typical example is the interior of a room with a view outside the window on a sunny day. You need to take at least ve exposures in two-EV steps (or nine exposures in one-EV steps) to capture this type of scene, but you may need more. Taking the exposures manually is recommended in these cases.

The source photographs for HDR processing can be taken with digital or lm-based cameras. The only requirement is that the exposure can be adjusted when taking pictures. If you use a lm-based camera, you will need to scan the photographs into your computer before processing them (refer to Section 1.3).

1.1 Setting up the Camera

• Set your camera to Aperture priority (A setting) so only the shutter speed varies between the exposures.

• Select a low ISO, such as ISO 100 or lower.

• Turn o the ash. The ash may try to balance the exposure of all the

images, when the goal is a range of exposures.

• Mount the camera on a tripod whenever possible. Even though Photomatix Pro oers automatic alignment of hand-held photos, using a tripod is always better.

DSLR cameras and some compact digital cameras oer Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB). This enables you to automatically take three or more exposures in a row; one at the proper exposure, one or more underexposed, and one or more overexposed. Follow these steps if your camera oers AEB mode:

Three exposures of a medium

dynamic range scene, taken in two-

EV steps

Canon Rebel XTi/400D LCD showing

AEB with +/-2 increments selected

Photomatix Pro User Guide

• Select the Continuous shooting mode on the camera’s drive setting. Consult your camera manual for model-specic instructions for using this setting.

• Set the camera to Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)

• If possible, use the camera’s self-timer setting, or a cable release to mini-

mize camera shake.

• Set the exposure increment to +/- 2 for optimal exposure range. If your camera does not oer +/- 2 exposure increments, select the maximum possible. Consult the camera manual for model-specic instructions for choosing this setting.

1.2 Selecting the Exposures

To get good results with HDR processing, your capture sequence must include photos that correctly expose highlights and photos that correctly expose shadows. The latter is especially important to prevent noise from showing in the processed HDR image.

In the lightest photo of the sequence, the darkest shadows should be at least in the mid-tones. To check this, use your camera’s histogram preview in playback mode. In your most overexposed photo, the left part of the histogram should be empty until 1/3rd of the histogram’s width. If this is not the case, add one or more photos taken with longer exposure times. Another option is to re-shoot the exposure sequence with the normal exposure set one or more EVs higher if your most underexposed image in the exposure sequence was too dark. This is the case when the histogram of your darkest image is completely empty on the right half. The number of exposures needed depends on the dynamic range of the scene, in addition to the exposure increment. For most outdoor scenes, three exposures taken at +/- 2 exposure increments is sucient, provided the scene does not include the sun. However, for the interior of a room with a bright view out the window, you will need at least ve images taken with an exposure increment of +/- 2, or nine images taken with an exposure increment of +/- 1.

AEB settings on a Nikon D80

(3 shots with +/- 2EV)

Note

The continuous shooting mode may not always be the best strategy because camera shake may build up. It is recommended to use a method that ensures the least possible shake for each single shot, such as mirror lock-up functionality, if available.

In scenes with extreme dierences between light and dark details, you should change the exposures manually to ensure you capture a wide enough range to cover your scene.

1.3 Using Film-Based Cameras

• Follow the camera setup listed at the top of Section 2.1 and the tips on selecting exposures in Section 2.2. Keep in mind that you will not have the option of previewing the live histogram to determine your exposure range.

• Scan lm or slides, not prints. Photo labs attempt to make the best print from each of your source images, and you will not achieve good results scanning these for HDR generation.

• Turn o your scanner’s auto-exposure options. This allows you to manually control the exposure.

• Make sure you select the Align images option in Photomatix Pro when combining your images.

Photomatix Pro User Guide 3

2 Loading and Pre-Processing Images

This section describes how to load and merge bracketed image les of a scene taken under dierent exposure settings as well as how to load single images into Photomatix Pro.

2.1 Merging Bracketed Images

Photomatix Pro merges bracketed images that are in 8 bit or 16 bits/channel mode, as well as Camera RAW les.

Supported le types include JPEG, TIFF, PSD, DNG, and RAW les from many camera models. The list of supported camera models for RAW les changes frequently. You can check the the Photomatix Pro FAQ page on the HDRsoft website at http://www.hdrsoft.com/support/raw.html to determine whether or not your camera model is supported.

2.1.1 Loading Bracketed Images

To load bracketed image les, do one of the following:

• Drag and drop the les into Photomatix Pro

• Use the Workow Shortcuts area or the File menu to load the les

Dragging and Dropping Bracketed Image Files

Note

The term “bracketed images” refers to images of the same scene taken under different exposure settings. This manual uses the term “bracketed images” to simplify how

these images are dened. It also

applies to the case when you have not used the Automatic Exposure Bracketing function of the camera to take the exposures.

Note

Drag the image les for the

exposure sequence at the same

time, so the les are properly

processed by the merge.

To drag and drop a group of image les to Photomatix Pro:

• Windows: Drag the les from Windows Explorer and drop them on the open Photomatix Pro program.

• Macintosh: Drag the les from the Finder and drop them on the Photo- matix Pro icon on your Dock.

Note

Newer camera models may not be supported by older versions of Photomatix Pro. To ensure your camera is supported, upgrade to the latest version.

Note

If you have Lightroom, use the Lightroom Export Plug-in to load images into Photomatix Pro.Refer to Section 5 for more information.

Photomatix Pro User Guide 4

Using the Workow Area or the File Menu

To load images using the Workow Shortcuts Area or the File menu:

1. Click Load Bracketed Photos in the Workow Shortcuts area

OR Select Load Bracketed Photos from the File menu.

The Select bracketed photos dialog displays.

Note

If you check the Show intermediary 32-bit HDR image box, you will be

able to save the pre-processed 32-bit image in an HDR image

le format such as Radiance or

OpenEXR. Saving the 32-bit HDR image is useful when you want to be able to process the image with other tone mapping settings later without having to pre-process and merge your bracketed photos again. However, you will still need to preprocess and merge the photos if you want to use exposure fusion.

You will have to click the Tone Mapping / Fusion button to go to the next step if you check this box.

Selecting bracketed photos

2. Drag and drop the les into the Selecting bracketed photos dialog

OR Click Browse. A dialog displays prompting for location of the les.

3. Select the les to load, using one of the following methods:

• Click the rst le, hold down control key (Windows) or command

key (Mac) and click the last le

• Click the rst le, hold down shift key and click each le

4. Click Open (Windows) or Select (Mac).

5. Click OK to pre-process the les.

Entering Exposure Values

If the exposure information cannot be located in the metadata of the image les, Photomatix Pro displays a dialog prompting for input of the relative Exposure Values for each image. Photomatix Pro also displays this dialog if two or more source images share the same exposure information.

Note

The order of the les in a bracketing

sequence does not matter. Photomatix Pro systematically

sorts the image les based on the

exposure information retrieved from the EXIF data. If the exposure information is not available in EXIF data, Photomatix Pro uses the relative brightness levels of the photos.

Photomatix Pro User Guide

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