Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage-u

v2016.127   Nov 6, 2015

Priority: Low

v2016.127 significantly improves raw photo detail and sharpness when using fill/HDR.

Mike

Wow! what a difference.
Here is my Autumn tree reflection image processed with v127 alongside the v126 version
                      V126                                                                                              v127
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/712/22088030864_3bbeb57c34_b.jpg) (https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/568/22223119214_f1834b7356_b.jpg)

To convince you of the difference see below screen shots from the QU comparator, v126 on the left, v127 on the right.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/718/22819845386_fe97837fff_b.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5648/22453675029_80a54a1da5_b.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/651/22453674099_3dc09f6743_b.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5689/22657951640_84b1dd2033_b.jpg)

... and if you ever need convincing about the virtues of shooting in raw, here is the camera jpeg version.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5660/22820554426_d98571b11c_b.jpg)

O yes, the actual scene was as dramatic as the raw version shows!

Terry

Thanks for yet another significant update.

As far as my quick test can tell, the HDR slider effect starts much earlier in the slide and it is easier for me to tell when I have gone far enough.
I hope this appraisal is correct.

As for posting images to forum, I have always been a little apprehensive, my thinking being that members are not interested in my often poor efforts.

I will post comparator images later, got them done but different browsers give different image size when image element right clicked.

Confuses this old brain box.

Jeff            

Hi Jeff,
Yes we are, we can all learn from each other.
I've checked with Firefox and Chrome, no difference. I suspect you are picking up the thumbnail image on your web site rather than the original. You need to click the thumb to open it and then right click to find the Image Info ....jpg row to copy.

Watch this space, a video may be on the way.

Terry

OK here we go.  Image of Entrance Gate to Greenwich Maritime Museum.

(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/22c900_0131574c9ef94b5fa7f094e5cad7b22b.jpg_srb_p_1024_691_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srb)

Default, Fill 11, HDR 0, Sc&AWB off

(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/22c900_725249e49e804a86926c54ff52ee56f5.jpg_srb_p_1024_691_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srb)

Fill 11, HDR 21 Sc&AWB off

Jeff

Hi Jeff,
You are generally right there but it does depend on the image and how much Fill has been applied so there's a bit of a learning curve to get used to the new and improved characteristics.
Have you image with some clouds and/or fine detail against a sky with some colour or detail.You'll find that interesting to refine?
I have an image with a stone church building in the middle distance where the improved detail in the stone block walls is very good. Maybe you have something similar?
Terry

Hello Terry

Regarding posting full size images to forum.

I had/have difficulty selecting the correct line, in fact cannot select a specific line in browser window, I have to copy the whole section and then paste into text editor and refine selection from there.

However, I am feeling a rather a silly billy.  Web site is created inside Chrome, if I go to 'preview' or view the full site in Chrome, open up the image and right click it, there is the option to copy the image url.  Job done.

 :( :( :( :-[ :-[ :-[

Jeff

Jeff,

I think it is time to break down the meaning of HDR.
Highlight Detail Recovery.
In your sample images above, there seemed to be no lost highlights to recover. In fact you flattened the existing highlights and sort of spoiled the image.
If an image has a blocked shadow area or a darkened shadow area that would benefit from being lightened somewhat, and you add FILL light to accomplish this, and in doing so, the light/bright parts of the image lose detail, you move the HDR slider to recover what you lost.

Again, Highlight Detail (lost and found)

See attached quickie samples to illustrate the principle.

Mind you, I didn't spend a lot of time tweaking a tick more fill, a tick less fill, and a tick more or less HDR.
Just want you to grasp the principle.
It is used when you need to recover some lost detail due to a need to add FILL to brighten an area.

094  shows the original raw from the thumbnail showing the need to lighten the foreground to see the ground.
095 shows the area in the foreground lighter, but the loss of detail in the sky is obvious.
097 shows HDR recovering the detail that was lost due to the need to fix the foreground.

I got the drama of the sky back and still was able to keep the  lighter foreground.

Hope some of this helps.
Fred

Here's a duplicate post of the latest Challenge #55

HDR.... Huh
Highlight Detail Recovery

Seems like everything nowadays has initials; ADD, COPD, JPG, NEF, CR2, ED, IBS, STD.. etc

 HDR is out there in Qimage Ultimate, now in it's upgraded form, and seems to be very mysterious to many.

In simple terms, HDR explains itself. You need to make an image lighter because of some dark and deep shadows, and in doing so, you lose detail in highlights. (Wedding dress with lace detail. Clouds that were dramatic and part of the image are now just white blobs.)
I could go on and on... but simply put, we add fill light to open the blocked shadow areas, and add HDR to taste to recover anything we lost in the bright areas while adding Fill light.
Here's an exercise to give some practice doing a really tough one.
Try this out on some images that might improve using this exercise.
Enjoy,

https://youtu.be/W5BlqxfLc7s

Fred

Thanks for the video Fred. It inspired me to make one too on an afternoon too damp to clear autumn leaves in the garden.
Here is mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkNhUd1nAFQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkNhUd1nAFQ)
It's a longer video using 3 different images, each requiring a slightly different approach.

Please Note: I used a magenta rectangle in 2 of the images and a blue one in the other to initially recover some highlights. This will not always be necessary so always try without a recovery rectangle first and resort to that if recovery required cannot be achieved using the HDR slider. Remember to use the shift key to check for over exposed areas, as in my video.

I hope some of you find this helpful.
Terry

Two excellent videos!  Thanks for contributing!!!

Mike

Fred

I am not nit picking but do you not agree that I have recovered some highlights in the two areas marked.

eg. I can just see the bulb/lamp through the street lamp glass

Now going to look for more images to fiddle and look at videos.
 
(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/22c900_9be42d9397a444a99b6a3ece8ef30167.jpg/v1/fit/w_1024,h_691,q_75/22c900_9be42d9397a444a99b6a3ece8ef30167.jpg)

Jeff

Jeff,
Opinions of this nature are just that, opinions. Opinions based on taste and what catches your eye.
I think that the two items you point out as being recovered, (a chip of sidewalk at the farthest distance from the subject; "the gates"), and a light bulb which is unlit in daytime, are both so insignificant compared to what I see lost by dulling the light on the fence and the right side brick pillar.
Nevertheless, you have made a good point. You can see the inside on the lamp glass showing a bulb in the HDR version, and that shows how really delicately powerful the tool can be.
It's just a matter of taste.
Would you believe Terry gives me all sort of Tsk Tsk, and tut tuts when he finds two pixels in my shot that show 255, 255, 255?
" Terry, I like it like that!"   
"I think you should fix it. It draws my eye because those two pixels are blown"
He's probably right.

But yet, he asks me to select his images for submitting to be judged in contests, because I have some ability to "feel" a picture.

So technically, you will get a better answer from Terry.

Fred

here is another of my older images which get better results with HDRv2

The cloud went into 255,255,255. Basing exposure on that area and tweaking fill and HDR gives a quite pleasing image with just a very small spot of 255's left unrecoverable.

(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/22c900_98d39d5bcabd4125aeb4f42da6451a3d.jpg/v1/fit/w_1024,h_682,q_75/22c900_98d39d5bcabd4125aeb4f42da6451a3d.jpg)

Jeff
 

Very Nice...
??  How  come I cannot read the words on the gravestones like I can in Terry's grave yard photos? ;)  :D  ;D  :) ???  ::)




Just Joking!!
fred

Your right, I have zoomed in and in in image examiner and not a single word.

I give up you win.

 :'( :'( :'( :'(

Can you spot a name on any of these  ;D
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5688/22934304401_0bcb9963ac_b.jpg)
Terry

Of course. Open the image in the Examiner in Qinage.

On the left tombstone you can see :
In memory of Mr. P. Shop
Inventor of Photo Shop. Survived my his eldest son Elements, and second son Light Room
He died of an overdose of Cloning.

On the right side Tombstone, you can see his recently deceased son L. Room
No apparent heirs.
Died in a strange accident
Was asphyxiated by being buried
under a ton of libraries
which he created
 to store your images
 so he could find them for you.

Fred
PS thereis a Fredrich something or other on a stone too.

The one next to Fredrich reads

PS Doctor, I told you my verticals were poorly.

jeff