To begin this tutorial it is assumed that you have a basic understanding of what HDR images are and their importance as well as a basic understanding of how to use Tone-Mapping Operators in Artizen. If not, please read What is HDR tutorial and Using Tone-Mapping Operators

Dramatic Tone-Mapping Operator

The Lock05 tone mapping operator has undergone a significant upgrade in several areas with the most significant being the introduction of Micro Contrast support. 

WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) is an important feature that has been added to Lock05 so that although it is a local operator and therefore image size dependent, your preview will match your final results. This feature is achieved by using a few image size counter operations to try to match the preview results as closely as possible to the final size.

The default values have been very carefully selected to be ideal initial values to tweak the your images.

Local Controls

Strength: This options controls the amount of Dynamic Range Compression which is applied. This option is directly tied to the Soften Detail and Fine Detail options. Assuming that you want to add Micro Contrast to your image, good initial values would be 0.5 - 0.75. Range (0.0 to 1.0)

Soften Detail: This option controls how sharp/soft the Micro Contrast in your image is with good initial values being between 0.1 - 0.4. An important note to make here is that the higher the values the longer the operator will take. . Range (0.0 to 1.0)

Fine Detail: This option controls how much Micro Contrast is enhanced in your image. When working with this option you might want to go back to the Strength option and balance your Micro Contrast needs. A suggested range for this image is to image dependent and so use your own judgment and preference. Range (0.0 to 1.0)

Exposure

Gamma - This option is the standard way of adjusting contrast in both displays and cameras but in a non linear method. Most Displays have a gamma level of 2.2, but since there are differences between gamma correction from device to device it is important to be able to adjust this option. Range (0 to 4)

Brightness: This option controls the overall brightness of the image and works similarly to a simple brightness color correction tool. Range (-10 to 10)

Contrast: Where Micro increases Micro Contrast, the Contrast option is a little more common to users as it can either reduce or increase Contrast across the entire image or what is commonly referred to as Global Contrast. Range (0.0 to 1.0)

Highlights: This option allows for fine tuning of only the Highlights in an image. This is usually one of the last options to be applied as it is one of the final adjustments to be made and can be used for fine tuning while watching the histogram. If you need to increase or reduce this value beyond +/-0.5 you should really consider bringing this value closer to zero and then increase or decrease the Luminosity value. Range (-1.0 to 1.0)

Darken Mood: This option gives the stylistic effect of darkening images, it is very useful option to use when Brightness and Gamma options don't seem to achieve the desired result. Range (-1.0 to 1.0)

Color Balance

Temperature - This option enables users to adjust the overall look of an image by changing the perceived temperature of a scene or correcting the white balance of your image. Usually blue is considered cool and red hot, but in nature the opposite is true. Range (-100 to 100)

Saturation - Controls the brightness of colors in a photo, with -1 being a black and white image, 0 being unchanged color level and 1 being colors boosted. Range (-1 to 1)

RGB Adjustments - Similar to the Temp and Hue options, these 3 options enable users to correct color shifts and white balance but on a individual color basis since color shifts don't always affect each color equally. Range (-100 to 100)

Tips & Tricks

Getting Faster Results. When tone mapping your image, fine tuning can be a rather slow process. An easy way to speed this process is by selecting the Preview Style to "Fast" or "Very Fast & Low Detail". Then change the options until the image is close to the results you are happy with. Then before applying it, which could take time to process, select the "Slow & Detailed" Preview Style. This will help give you a better idea of what the final result will look like and if any additional fine tuning is required.