.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT REVIEW
.TITLE Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro reveals photographic details previously hidden to the naked eye
.AUTHOR Scott Koegler
.SUMMARY If you’re looking to create High Dynamic Range photos (they’re amazing), you should read this article.
.OTHER
HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos have become increasingly popular in the last couple years. The best examples combine multiple images of the same scene, taken with various degrees of under and over exposure This technique often reveals details that are usually beyond the exposure range of a single shot.
There are many different software applications available for making HDR images, and nearly all of them are able to produce adequate results. However not all of the applications are easy or intuitive to use. And the combination of ease of use and range of control is what sets [[http://www.niksoftware.com/hdrefexpro/usa/entry.php|Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro]] apart from every other HDR editor, including Photomatix and Adobe Photoshop.
If you have used any of the available HDR applications, you probably understand that the process of creating an HDR image is a subjective one. That is, there is no right or wrong, but the range of results available from the process is very wide, ranging from highly realistic to psychedelic.
Nik’s HDR software has a few built-in concepts that help users achieve results based on general guidelines. This makes the process more predictable and is one feature that really sets it apart.
.H1 Getting started
The process starts with importing the image or images (it’s possible to create an HDR image from a single image, or from multiple images of the same scene). Once the images appear in the editor window, a column of preview images appear along the right side of the application. For those working in either Adobe Lightroom or Apple Aperture, the workspace shown in Figure A will look comfortably familiar.
.FIGPAIR A This is the basic Nik HDR Efex Pro workspace.
The right column shows previews of the image in a variety of HDR settings that are grouped in categories including Realistic, Landscape, Architectural, Surreal, and others. In addition, it’s possible to create your own presets and save them for reuse.
I like the ability to quickly and easily preview my image in several presets because it lets me pick one that fits the mood of what I want to achieve from the shot. The same results can be achieved with applications that don’t offer presets, but I find that the presets help me decide what direction to go.
Once a preset is chosen the results can — and should be — fine tuned by using the controls on the right side of the window. The process is again simple and intuitive, starting with the main control a the top of the list: Tone Compression.
All HDR applications do tone compression, but not always as part of the logical sequence. I like to start there, but it’s usually not the last time I use the control. Like any image editing function, trying different setting is part of the process.
Other controls are happily familiar, and do pretty much what one would expect of them, including Exposure, Contrast, Saturation, etc. It’s simple and quick to adjust these controls, and any changes made to them show up immediately in the image.
.H1 Tone mapping
A function called Tone Mapping is the heart of every HDR application, and some are better than others. Nik has created four different tone mapping algorithms as a way to increase the application’s flexibility.
Fortunately, the details of these are hidden behind more friendly names like Sharp, Clean, Dingy, Diffused, Fresco, Harsh Details, etc. These are available from a selection list, and can be applied by simply selecting your choice. And once selected, it’s possible to change the amount of effect applied by percentages.
See Figure B with a 50% application of the BrightSoft filter. This is similar to the way Photoshop allows control by applying transparency to layers.
.FIGPAIR B This sample image has the BrightSoft method applied at 50%.
The range of modification available is stunning, as you can see in Figure C with a 100% application of the Dingy filter.
.FIGPAIR C This image has the Dingy method applied at 100%.
Another difference from most HDR applications is what Nik calls its Control Points, as shown in Figure D.
.FIGPAIR D The control point can be used to apply adjustments to specific areas of the image.
Adjustments made during the process of combining the images and modifying their look are done on a global basis. That is, they affect the entire image. This global affect is standard with other HDR processors. Nik’s HDR adds a control that allows for local adjustment of specific areas. See Figure E where the window area is dark.
.FIGPAIR E The window area is dark and lacks detail.
This works similarly to Lightroom’s Adjustment Brush that can apply any of the available adjustments to specific areas of the image, as shown in Figure F. Other HDR applications leave this process to be accomplished in the image editor like Photoshop, but those methods don’t allow the application of the full range of HDR manipulation.
.FIGPAIR F Applying an exposure adjustment to the window area reveals the detail captured by the multiple exposures.
.H1 Editing capabilities
I’m impressed by the extent of the editing capabilities delivered in Nik’s HDR Efex Pro. It delivers a tremendous range of image manipulation and artistic flexibility. It even includes the ability to apply vignettes to the image.
I’m reluctant to apply vignettes to the image at this point because even with the adjustments so far, I will still use Lightroom to make final edits, and if those edits include cropping, the vignette applied in HDR Efex Pro will be lost.
However, HDR Efex Pro’s Levels and Curves adjustments can apply the final touch to the image, and should be used here because they take advantage of the complete range of exposures available from the multiple images that comprise the HDR image. Once again, Nik has included a few presets as starting places for its levels and curves adjustment tool.
.H1 Noise issues
One result of every HDR application I’ve tried is that the process introduces a high level of image noise. Unfortunately, a good noise reduction tool should be, but is not included in Nik’s HDR Efex Pro. Fortunately, Adobe’s Lightroom 3 includes the best noise reduction processor in the industry at this time. So the final step in editing my HDR images always includes a return to Lightroom.
I’ll compete this image by using Lightroom’s Lens Correction to adjust the perspective and straighten the buildings, as shown in Figure G.
.FIGPAIR G Lightroom’s Lens Correction tool can correct for perspectives caused by wide lenses.
Using Lightroom’s noise reduction feature is the final step in the process. In my view, it may be impossible to match Lightroom’s excellent results, but Nik would do well to add noise reduction and make its best efforts to complete its already excellent HDR Efex Pro. See Figure H where the noise is obvious after processing.
.FIGPAIR H The image has significant noise resulting from the HDR process.
Lightroom’s noise reduction process makes a significant difference, as shown in Figure I.
.FIGPAIR I Lightroom’s noise reduction feature makes the image much smoother.
Here is the image as processed through LIghtroom without HDR processing. The difference is significant. And the editing choices made in this image were more for demonstration than for practical use. Figure J shows the HDR processed image.
.FIGPAIR J The final result is a combination of 3 images shot at different exposure values.
By comparison, Figure K is the standard image without being processed through Nik HDR Efex Pro.
.FIGPAIR K The image without the use of The final result is a combination of three images shot at different exposure values.
Nik’s $159.95 HDR Efex Pro is a great choice for creating a range of HDR results, and its ease of use puts it at the top of the list for HDR enthusiasts to add to their arsenal of image editing applications.
Though it lacks a noise reduction feature, use of Lightroom’s top of the line noise reduction function is probably the best option available. Nik’s HDR Efex Pro is the current best of breed for HDR processing.
.RATING 5
