Sebastian Nibisz has released v1.3.6 for his freeware SNS-HDR Lite program that provides de-ghosting and 'Presets' that were only previously available in the Pro and Home program versions.
The program can be accessed once installed from PWP's File Open dialog if the SNS-HDR Lite desk top program icon is visible [requires the PWP5 program window to be 'Restore Down' rather than 'Maximize'] by checking the File Open image file [or files] icon(s), then dragging/dropping it/them on the SNS-HDR Lite desk top icon. When the program completes, it will place a resulting image version icon in the File Open dialog which then can be checked/opened into PWP's working space... ie, the program almost acting as if it were a transform.
While you can use this program for a RAW converter [single or multiple exposure image blender], there may be image overall pixel dimension differences between the resulting image and a PWP RAW conversion image... so for 1:1 Registration, off-set cropping may be required before attempting Composite-Blending with PWP produced image versions.
I like to use the program as a 16-bit [48-bit color] tone-mapper by letting it tone-map process a single PWP RAW conversion 16-bit tiff image... if the tone-mapped image version is too 'dramatic'... mellow it to preferences with Composite-Blend...
See my posting here: http://www.dl-c.com/board/viewtopic.php ... 1432#p1432 for the program download [7.8MB] web page link; the needed SNS-HDR Lite desk top icon 'Properties' format to execute the new available 'Options'; and additional observations regarding this program's use.
There is also significantly improved reductions for halos and noise that normally gets tone-mapped into high-contrast edges and large low-contrast image areas [sky/clouds].'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
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Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
Thanks for posting such a comprehensive guide, Den. I'll really enjoy trying it out.
Mike.
Mike.
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Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
Den,
Followed your procedure without a problem. As I happen to be in an insect-photographing-phase at the moment I tried it on a photo of a butterfly against an out of focus background using a single 3x16 bit tiff file.
Unsurprisingly it 'wrecked' the background also it was a little too dramatic with the butterfly. I masked the butterfly and used composite blend at about 50% and got a very satisfactory result. Couldn't see any halos or artefacts.
Tried another similar image with similar results.
Only problem is one that you've already highlight - the time the program takes. My 4,000x3,000 tiffs took 3 minutes each.
No doubt the sample that you posted is a much more appropriate image for this process.
Mike.
Followed your procedure without a problem. As I happen to be in an insect-photographing-phase at the moment I tried it on a photo of a butterfly against an out of focus background using a single 3x16 bit tiff file.
Unsurprisingly it 'wrecked' the background also it was a little too dramatic with the butterfly. I masked the butterfly and used composite blend at about 50% and got a very satisfactory result. Couldn't see any halos or artefacts.
Tried another similar image with similar results.
Only problem is one that you've already highlight - the time the program takes. My 4,000x3,000 tiffs took 3 minutes each.
No doubt the sample that you posted is a much more appropriate image for this process.
Mike.
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Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
MikeG... Thanks for your comments.
(1) tone mapping seems to be most effective where there are numerous histogram peaks scattered through the 0 to 100% [0 to 255] tone range which are typically present in nature landscape type images with lots of small detail rather than portrait type images where the main subject comprises most of the in-frame image area and has a single bell shaped histogram peak around the the 50% [128] tone.
(2) the time for this program to process really is short compared to the time needed to manually tone-map using 3Tone Range Procedures and Masks [http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/3tone/3tone.htm] to get nearly the same result... or use the HSV color space PWP5 2/3 Zone Adjustment transforms... but it is not for those with older computer systems and the manual methods are adequate if one is adept... I will usually play a game or two of Solitare while waiting for a result! ... or refill my coffee cup!
(3) just as with any image editing, one should be alert to the possiblities of 1:1 Cloning preferential image areas and/or preferential Amount Composite-Blending with or without a mask of one image version into/with another... as editing results may only be preferential for specific image areas rather than global for the whole image.
(4) I have not yet explored alternate 'Presets', other than the "-default" preset, then 1:1 Cloning and/or Composite-Blending the result with other image versions. ...But one could set up several SNS-HDR Lite application desk top icons, one for each of the 'Presets': "-default"; "-dramatic"; "-interior"; "-ldr" [low dynamic range]; "-natural"; "-neutral"; "-night"; and "-soft"...
For example, my current desk top application icon Target Property is:
"C:\Program Files\SNS-HDR Lite\SNS-HDR.exe" -srgb -x1 -default -tiff16
(1) tone mapping seems to be most effective where there are numerous histogram peaks scattered through the 0 to 100% [0 to 255] tone range which are typically present in nature landscape type images with lots of small detail rather than portrait type images where the main subject comprises most of the in-frame image area and has a single bell shaped histogram peak around the the 50% [128] tone.
(2) the time for this program to process really is short compared to the time needed to manually tone-map using 3Tone Range Procedures and Masks [http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/3tone/3tone.htm] to get nearly the same result... or use the HSV color space PWP5 2/3 Zone Adjustment transforms... but it is not for those with older computer systems and the manual methods are adequate if one is adept... I will usually play a game or two of Solitare while waiting for a result! ... or refill my coffee cup!
(3) just as with any image editing, one should be alert to the possiblities of 1:1 Cloning preferential image areas and/or preferential Amount Composite-Blending with or without a mask of one image version into/with another... as editing results may only be preferential for specific image areas rather than global for the whole image.
(4) I have not yet explored alternate 'Presets', other than the "-default" preset, then 1:1 Cloning and/or Composite-Blending the result with other image versions. ...But one could set up several SNS-HDR Lite application desk top icons, one for each of the 'Presets': "-default"; "-dramatic"; "-interior"; "-ldr" [low dynamic range]; "-natural"; "-neutral"; "-night"; and "-soft"...
For example, my current desk top application icon Target Property is:
"C:\Program Files\SNS-HDR Lite\SNS-HDR.exe" -srgb -x1 -default -tiff16
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Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
Noticing that past attachments/illustration images no longer appear in the message board threads [at least with my browser, IE8] and that things are a bit slow...
...I decided to 'bump' this thread with additional comments and a link to the image that was used for illustration purposes.
SNS-HDR Lite's current version is 1.3.8 with improved mid-tones.
When simulating virtual multiple exposures with one image, use "-da" and "-dd" in the desk top appplication icon Target Properties to disable 'alignment' and 'de-ghosting'. This will slightly decrease the time needed for processing but more importantly, will prevent 1:1 registration shifts that sometimes occurs when using the blending function with multiple image versions of a single image.
I also found that channel substituting the H and S of the base image with the HDR image version's H and S, will generally provide better colors, perhaps lessening needed changes to reach preferences.
After/Before comparison image link: http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/11/IMAG ... _11_98.htm
...I decided to 'bump' this thread with additional comments and a link to the image that was used for illustration purposes.
SNS-HDR Lite's current version is 1.3.8 with improved mid-tones.
When simulating virtual multiple exposures with one image, use "-da" and "-dd" in the desk top appplication icon Target Properties to disable 'alignment' and 'de-ghosting'. This will slightly decrease the time needed for processing but more importantly, will prevent 1:1 registration shifts that sometimes occurs when using the blending function with multiple image versions of a single image.
I also found that channel substituting the H and S of the base image with the HDR image version's H and S, will generally provide better colors, perhaps lessening needed changes to reach preferences.
After/Before comparison image link: http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/11/IMAG ... _11_98.htm
Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
I'll see if I can figure out why the image links are not working.
Kiril
Kiril
Kiril Sinkel
Digital Light & Color
Digital Light & Color
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Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
Thanks for the update, Den.
I've been using SNS-HDR lite off and on for single images, generally with pretty good results straight off the bat.
Today, for the first time, I used it to auto align and blend two hand held exposures. I was quite surprised that the alignment worked. The blending was very satisfactory, too. Of course, for this job I used an SNS-HDR icon WITHOUT the -da command!
Mike.
I've been using SNS-HDR lite off and on for single images, generally with pretty good results straight off the bat.
Today, for the first time, I used it to auto align and blend two hand held exposures. I was quite surprised that the alignment worked. The blending was very satisfactory, too. Of course, for this job I used an SNS-HDR icon WITHOUT the -da command!
Mike.
Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
The sky in the picture of the tugboat is amazing, and thanks for the helpful information. I checked the sns-hdr web site and version 1.3.9 was released a few days ago.After/Before comparison image link: http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/11/IMAG ... _11_98.htm
Cliff
Cliff Fiess Photography
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http://www.cfphoto.com
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Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
Below is the SNS-HDR Lite output from 2 handheld shots. SNS-HDR Lite can handle RAW files directly but I find it better to do RAW conversion first to take care of noise in the underexposed shot(s) especially.
BTW no-one was injured in the making of this photograph!
And, it is NOT my car, and NOT my house, but near where I live.
Mike.
BTW no-one was injured in the making of this photograph!
And, it is NOT my car, and NOT my house, but near where I live.
Mike.
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Re: 'SNS-HDR Lite' and PWP
MikeG... an extraordinary way to park one's car!!! Glad no one was hurt and that you do not have to file an insurance claim. Like you, when using SNS-HDR Lite, I tend to use it with previously RAW converted images as the program's micro-contrast sharpening can greatly increase the contrast of existing noise that at less aggressive tone-mapping settings does not become that obvious.
FYI all... the current SNS-HDR Lite version is now 1.3.12 as of 4 Apr 2011.
I know that I started this thread but I would like to point out that PWP's conversion, transforms, and tools have great potential as well to produce moderately dramatic tone-mapped images... a bit more manually intensive [SNS-HDR Lite has no user control other than the command line settings] perhaps but offering the opprotunity to exercise one's artistic sense to augment photo realism...
...After/Before comparison image link: http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/11/IMAG ... _11_96.htm
(Cliff... another cloud image using only PWP! :-)
FYI all... the current SNS-HDR Lite version is now 1.3.12 as of 4 Apr 2011.
I know that I started this thread but I would like to point out that PWP's conversion, transforms, and tools have great potential as well to produce moderately dramatic tone-mapped images... a bit more manually intensive [SNS-HDR Lite has no user control other than the command line settings] perhaps but offering the opprotunity to exercise one's artistic sense to augment photo realism...
...After/Before comparison image link: http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/11/IMAG ... _11_96.htm
(Cliff... another cloud image using only PWP! :-)