HDR Conversion Software Test
Techniques
07 July 2008 15:37
High Dynamic Range
HDR images are extremely popular among amateur and professional photographers today. Once you've mastered shooting bracketed images your next concern will be how to combine them to create an HDR image, and which software to use to do it. With several HDR imaging solutions available on the market, which software to choose may not be so obvious. Some software is better-known than others, but here's a basic comparison of the four most popular programmes, Photoshop’s merge to HDR and a manual conversion using layer masks. This will help you choose the best method for your budget.
The High Dynamic Range (HDR) technique deals with images that show extreme contrast between shadows and highlights. Using this technique, detail can be shown in highlights, mid-tones and shadows. This is achieved by shooting the same subject three times using three different exposures; one for highlights, one for mid-tones and one for shadows. These images are then combined to create a single HDR image showing detail across the tonal range.
The images used in this mini test were shot at Ely Cathedral, and included high contrast lighting, with deep shadows in places and sunlight shining directly through one of the windows. This really put the programmes through their paces, clearly showing the capabilities of each. The RAW files were converted to 16-bit TIFFs and the time spent on each image within the different software was roughly 15 minutes. Also, for the test, no selective adjustments were made.
Manual Conversion With Photoshop CS3
Before the days of tone-mapping software, the manual merging of several images was the only way to achieve HDR images. The results from this technique rely on layers and masking. With complete control over all areas of the image this method can't be beat. On the downside, manual HDR can take around three hours using advanced masking techniques using Photoshop CS3. At 235mb and 18 layers, manual HDR creates quite a beast. Despite the time and care required to produce a manual HDR image, it is a rewarding challenge and an excellent test of your masking skills. If you have the time and patience, why not give it a try?
Pros: Superb, realistic results / no extra software required (only photoshop).
Cons: Time & skills required to produce manual HDR images.
Photomatix Pro
Photomatix pro is the best known tone-mapping software currently available. The software is extremely powerful and offers a high level of control over your conversions, which can be made with Details Enhancer and Tone Compressor. For this conversion we've used Details Enhancer. This creates the type of HDR effect that is most popular: bright and contrasty. Tone compressor has fewer controls than DE and produces a less dramatic, more realistic effect.
Initially, the software is a little daunting, but after a play with the controls you’ll soon be on your way to creating an HDR image. The software allows both dramatic and more realistic results so it will appeal to all tastes.
Pros: Excellent conversions / high level of control / Available for Mac & PC.
Cons: Can be confusing for beginners / cost.
Photomatix Pro US$99
Tone Mapping Plugin US$69
Available on Mac & PC
www.hdrsoft.com
Bracketeer
Bracketeer is a simple Mac-only tone-mapping programme that's extremely simple to use and surprisingly effective given the limited controls. The default conversion is excellent and can be further improved with little fine-tuning. The conversion is a bit light and has a medium amount of contrast and reasonable colour saturation. If you’re completely new to HDR and a Mac user, at $29.95 Bracketeer will provide a quick, effective and simple introduction to the technique.
Pros: Excellent conversion with good colour and medium contrast / cost / good for beginners and/or limited budget.
Cons: Limited controls / only available for Mac.
Bracketeer US$29.95
inc. Panopreviewer (software)
Mac only
www.pangeasoft.net
Artizen
Artizen is an image editing programme in itself that also offers tone-mapping controls. The software as a whole is unsurprisingly much more limited than Photoshop. Artizen offers a number of options at each stage of the tone-mapping process. After using the help guide and playing with controls, the best combination became apparent. The software struggled with the image used in terms of both the conversion quality and general image handling. A 16-bit colour image shot on a Canon 5D was too large. Reducing the dimensions of the image fixed this problem.
On this occasion, Artizen didn’t reproduce contrast or colour very well. In terms of ease of use this software is equal to Photomatix.
Pros: Artizen is an image editing programme in itself.
Cons: Can’t handle average/large image files / dull results.
Artizen Canadian $49.95
Windows only
www.supportingcomputers.net
FDRTools Advanced
FDRTools Advanced is another programme that is simple to use and produces very good results. Contrast across the image is pretty good and colour reproduction is natural. The software has a range of controls allowing the user to find the best combination for their image. Again, after a little fumbling around and reading the help guide, the best settings became apparent. The controls on the whole are simple and the levels and histogram is extremely useful to finish off the image. Our main issue with the software is the limited file formats that can be saved. TIFFs and PSDs are not options. Despite this, JPEGs are supported and overall conversion quality is good.
Pros: Excellent conversions – good brightness and contrast / cheap Photoshop plug-in.
Cons: Limited file formats available in save dialogue.
FDRTools Advanced 49 Euros
FDRCompressor Plug-in 29 Euros
FDRTools Bundle 59 Euros
Windows only
www.fdrtools.com
Photoshop Merge to HDR
Photoshop is by far the industry standard image editing software, and for good reason; it’s extremely powerful. However, in terms of automated HDR imaging it produced the least pleasing results of all the software tested. Brightness, contrast and colour reproduction are poor. The best part of the image is the windows, although the colours are unnatural.
On the plus side, the Merge to HDR controls are quick and simple to use. Merge to HDR can be found under File > Automate > Merge to HDR.
Pros: It’s included with CS2/3 / simple to use.
Cons: Results lack brightness and contrast.
Merge to HDR is available with Photoshop CS2 & CS3
Photoshop CS3 around £500
Mac & PC
www.adobe.com
The software used in this test will perform differently with a range of images. Using a tricky set of RAW images, a clear set of winners and losers were defined. Manual conversions and Photomatix are obvious leaders in this test with FDRTools and Bracketeer taking a comfortable second for both Mac & PC users. Photoshop Merge to HDR and Artizen failed to step up to the mark on this occasion.
If you’re serious about HDR, your choice of software is paramount to the success of your images. With a poor conversion, even the best exposures will fail to grab attention. If you’re still no closer to deciding which tone-mapping software is best for you, you could download a trial of each from their respective websites. Working with each on the same set of images will give you an excellent idea of conversion quality and ease of use within your digital workflow.