Is tone mapping legal within basic rules?

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

12/28/2006 06:24:23 PM · #1

I mean the Photomatix plugin and similar ways of blending several conversions of the same RAW file...

jdannels

Nikon D300s

12/28/2006 06:30:33 PM · #2

I think the plug-in is ok on a single file. But not from several versions of the same raw file.
I know Bear_music uses it in Basic and Mak yellow ribbon shot used it.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

12/28/2006 06:35:50 PM · #3

I know they do, but I have my doubts... Isn't it in essense blending multiple layers with cleverly constructed layer masks? The fact that it is hidden within a proprietary plugin does not make it more legal that doing it the "hard way". I think it should be banned in Basic, IMHO.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

12/28/2006 06:39:00 PM · #4

It has been ruled legal, since it accomplishes tonal changes that have been legal since the introduction of Shadow/Highlight with CS2. I'm not saying that a case couldn't be made for disallowing it, we just haven't gone there at this point.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

12/28/2006 06:41:30 PM · #5

Originally posted by jdannels:

I think the plug-in is ok on a single file. But not from several versions of the same raw file.

I may be wrong but I think tone mapping has to use multiple conversions of the same RAW file or it can just create them for you automatically in the "batch" mode.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

12/28/2006 06:43:58 PM · #6

Originally posted by LevT:

Originally posted by jdannels:
I think the plug-in is ok on a single file. But not from several versions of the same raw file.

I may be wrong but I think tone mapping has to use multiple conversions of the same RAW file or it can just create them for you automatically in the "batch" mode.

Nope. A RAW file is like a 16-bit TIF, though the real bit depth is only 12 bits. Photomatix can work with the RAW file directly, or a single conversion to 16-bit TIF. No multiple conversion required.

Edit: multiple conversion is *not* legal in Basic, but is in advanced.

Message edited by author 2006-12-28 18:44:25.