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.
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)
Saturation: Saturation boosts the brightness of each individual
color. Range (0.0 to 1.0)
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)
Shadows: This option like the Highlights is for fine tuning only
the Shadows in an image. This option is also one of the last functions
applied to the image and is therefore very easily used in conjunction with
the Histogram. Range (-1.0 to 1.0)
Midtones: This option controls the entire image as a
whole to help position the majority of image detail in the most visible
way. This option should not even be required 99.9% of the time
and is primarily suppose to deal with either very dark or bright images
when and the Luminosity, Highlights and Shadows options are unable to
achieve the desired effects. Range (-1.0 to 1.0)
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.
