Surely if Photomatix has been deemed `legal`....

01/04/2007 07:34:33 PM · #76

Originally posted by ursula:

The stand-alone Photomatix can generate a pseudo-HDR file from a single image (RAW and I think TIFF); this HDR like file then needs to be tone-mapped, and then you can save it and work with it in other software.

I'm not aware that Photomatix can do this; if I try to "generate HDRI" and specify a single image, it tells me I need 2 or more images to do it. I can, however, open a single image and tone map it, which is what I do when I use the process in basic editing. Am I missing something?

R.

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

01/04/2007 07:49:58 PM · #77

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by ursula:
The stand-alone Photomatix can generate a pseudo-HDR file from a single image (RAW and I think TIFF); this HDR like file then needs to be tone-mapped, and then you can save it and work with it in other software.

I'm not aware that Photomatix can do this; if I try to "generate HDRI" and specify a single image, it tells me I need 2 or more images to do it. I can, however, open a single image and tone map it, which is what I do when I use the process in basic editing. Am I missing something?

R.

Do you have the full version stand-alone? If so, simply open a RAW file in it (go to "File" and "Open"), it will then generate an HDR image (I called it a pseudo HDR because it is from one file), with proper warnings about it not being the best method to generate an HDR image. You then go on to tone-map this file ("HDR", and "Tone mapping"), and either do a tone compression or a details enhancement tone mapping.

For example, I just generated this image:

from this RAW

No other adjustments.

Message edited by author 2007-01-04 19:58:16.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

01/04/2007 07:51:22 PM · #78

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

That's how it works for me, too. And to use a single image, it has to be a 16 bit TIFF, which can then be Tone Mapped, but not generated into an HDR composit.

Edit: Oh, well according to Bear, RAW works too. I'll have to try that :-)

Message edited by author 2007-01-04 19:52:17.

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

01/04/2007 07:52:12 PM · #79

Hello.. well as the owner of the said image that seems to be at the root of it all let me just say this for the record

Everything I did to the image was basic legal, I personally LOVE the tonemapped effect and enjoy using it, I think it puts life into dead photos, I do agree that maybe it should be moved to advanced editing but then you would also have to move other adjustments to advanced too. I think if BASIC is going to be BASIC then it should be MINIMAL EDITING to give new members a chance (as i read earlier).

Im very happy to use Photomatix and I am sure I can get the same effect without using it by doing highlights/shaddows but it would take longer to get to the same standard. I find it easier to get the effect I like using Photomatix. Im also proud of that photograph and the editing. I feel it is PHOTOGRAPHY because we are now in a digital age and we have to accept that digital editing is a part of the new photographic industry. I welcome all new types of camera, lens, software, viewers, formats.. whatever we get in the future to aid us in our work to create a nice, pleasent image, I also believe that there is a lot to be said about 'NATURAL' photography too, but right now my buzz is with the tone mapped effect.

01/04/2007 08:02:21 PM · #80

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Message edited by author 2007-01-04 20:05:25.

01/04/2007 08:17:46 PM · #81

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by ursula:
The stand-alone Photomatix can generate a pseudo-HDR file from a single image (RAW and I think TIFF); this HDR like file then needs to be tone-mapped, and then you can save it and work with it in other software.

I'm not aware that Photomatix can do this; if I try to "generate HDRI" and specify a single image, it tells me I need 2 or more images to do it. I can, however, open a single image and tone map it, which is what I do when I use the process in basic editing. Am I missing something?

R.

That's how it works for me, too. And to use a single image, it has to be a 16 bit TIFF, which can then be Tone Mapped, but not generated into an HDR composit.

Edit: Oh, well according to Bear, RAW works too. I'll have to try that :-)

No, it wouldn't be an HDR composite, that's why I called it a "pseudo-HDR". Actually, HDRSoft also calls it "pseudo-HDR" in their FAQ.

01/04/2007 08:20:36 PM · #82

Originally posted by ursula:

I have the standalone version and that's not an option for me; it does not allow me to directly open CR2 files. What version # of Photomatix are you using?

R.

01/04/2007 08:23:35 PM · #83

Originally posted by MAK:

Hello.. well as the owner of the said image that seems to be at the root of it all let me just say this for the record

Everything I did to the image was basic legal.

I don't think anyone has implied that anything you or I are doing in basic editing with tone mapping is illegal per se; there's just a groundswell here of opinion that perhaps it ought NOT to be legal in basic, and that would include PS shadow/highlight as well.

R.

01/04/2007 08:28:16 PM · #84

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by ursula:

Do you have the full version stand-alone? If so, simply open a RAW file in it (go to "File" and "Open"), it will then generate an HDR image (I called it a pseudo HDR because it is from one file), with proper warnings about it not being the best method to generate an HDR image. You then go on to tone-map this file ("HDR", and "Tone mapping"), and either do a tone compression or a details enhancement tone mapping.

I have the standalone version and that's not an option for me; it does not allow me to directly open CR2 files. What version # of Photomatix are you using?

R.

version 2.3.2
and it opens my .NEF files just fine. Weird.

Message edited by author 2007-01-04 20:29:24.

01/04/2007 08:39:12 PM · #85

Originally posted by ursula:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by ursula:

Do you have the full version stand-alone? If so, simply open a RAW file in it (go to "File" and "Open"), it will then generate an HDR image (I called it a pseudo HDR because it is from one file), with proper warnings about it not being the best method to generate an HDR image. You then go on to tone-map this file ("HDR", and "Tone mapping"), and either do a tone compression or a details enhancement tone mapping.

I have the standalone version and that's not an option for me; it does not allow me to directly open CR2 files. What version # of Photomatix are you using?

R.

version 2.3.2
and it opens my .NEF files just fine. Weird.

Got it. I was using a slightly older version. I uploaded the newestversion and it opens CR2 fine. I also just uploaded the 2.4 beta, which has fuctionality (supposedly) to teliminate ghosting, like from moving leaves. We shall see :-)

R.

01/04/2007 08:44:54 PM · #86

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by ursula:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by ursula:

Do you have the full version stand-alone? If so, simply open a RAW file in it (go to "File" and "Open"), it will then generate an HDR image (I called it a pseudo HDR because it is from one file), with proper warnings about it not being the best method to generate an HDR image. You then go on to tone-map this file ("HDR", and "Tone mapping"), and either do a tone compression or a details enhancement tone mapping.

I have the standalone version and that's not an option for me; it does not allow me to directly open CR2 files. What version # of Photomatix are you using?

R.

version 2.3.2
and it opens my .NEF files just fine. Weird.

Got it. I was using a slightly older version. I uploaded the newestversion and it opens CR2 fine. I also just uploaded the 2.4 beta, which has fuctionality (supposedly) to teliminate ghosting, like from moving leaves. We shall see :-)

R.

Cool! :)

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

01/04/2007 08:53:56 PM · #87

Originally posted by ursula:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Got it. I was using a slightly older version. I uploaded the newestversion and it opens CR2 fine. I also just uploaded the 2.4 beta, which has fuctionality (supposedly) to teliminate ghosting, like from moving leaves. We shall see :-)

R.

Cool! :)

It definitely works on the ghosting, but there are sacrifices. In this case, ghosting twigs against a stormy sky, and it reads the clouds as ghosting also, and attempts to smooth them out very unnaturally. That's the price of a beta :-) For some other scene it may work very well.

R.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/05/2007 12:57:35 AM · #88

How do you get the updated version? I see where you can download the trial but not an update patch.

01/05/2007 11:39:47 AM · #89

Originally posted by yanko:

How do you get the updated version? I see where you can download the trial but not an update patch.

this, maybe? Not sure ....

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/05/2007 12:28:23 PM · #90

Originally posted by ursula:

Originally posted by yanko:
How do you get the updated version? I see where you can download the trial but not an update patch.

this, maybe? Not sure ....

You don't need an "update patch". Just download and install from Ursula's link and it writes over your existing version, plus it is automatically keyed if the version you have is a paid-for version.

R.

AlexSaberi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

01/05/2007 12:30:56 PM · #91

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by MAK:
Hello.. well as the owner of the said image that seems to be at the root of it all let me just say this for the record

Everything I did to the image was basic legal.

I don't think anyone has implied that anything you or I are doing in basic editing with tone mapping is illegal per se; there's just a groundswell here of opinion that perhaps it ought NOT to be legal in basic, and that would include PS shadow/highlight as well.

R.

I say ban him!!!

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

01/05/2007 12:35:23 PM · #92

Mac version is very different.. i can drag a single 8 bit JPG into photomatrix and HDR it .. is windows version the same?

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

01/05/2007 12:37:09 PM · #93

Originally posted by alexsaberi:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by MAK:
Hello.. well as the owner of the said image that seems to be at the root of it all let me just say this for the record

Everything I did to the image was basic legal.

I don't think anyone has implied that anything you or I are doing in basic editing with tone mapping is illegal per se; there's just a groundswell here of opinion that perhaps it ought NOT to be legal in basic, and that would include PS shadow/highlight as well.

R.

I say ban him!!!

HAHAHA Nice one centurion, nice one .. terrific race the Romans.... TERRIFIC!

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

01/05/2007 01:53:41 PM · #94

Before banning it let's have a poll what everyone thinks.

hankk

Canon EOS-5D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

01/06/2007 12:45:49 AM · #95

Sometimes it helps to look at the issue from the opposite viewpoint, in this case it would be can I reduce tonality (or contrast or saturation or whatever) in Basic?

Some of the allowed actions from basic are:

- use filters or stand-alone utilities designed to preserve image integrity (such as Neat Image, Unsharp Mask, Dust & Scratches, and color correction tools). These filters must be applied uniformly to the entire image, and must not be used in such a way that their use becomes a feature. No "effects" filters may be applied to your image, with the exception of Noise and Gaussian Blur.

USM allows you to do local contrast enhancement, which is part of what some features of PhotoMatrix do.

- saturate, desaturate or change the colors of your entry, but no selections are allowed.

PM allows this.

What does PM do that violates the rules for basic editing?

Also, basic allows you to:

- use RAW conversion software as long as the changes are made globally to a single file on one layer and do not create new features or effects in the process.

Lightroom has about a gazillion controls, and I think some of them are similar to tone mapping. And lightroom allows you to change colors, and it can be a very noticable change.

Message edited by author 2007-01-06 00:47:08.

super-dave

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

01/06/2007 01:21:25 AM · #96

so, virtualphotographer and photomatix are legal for advanced challenges and expert ... but not basic?

is that the official position?