C&C on these 'One Shot HDR' images processed with DxO Optics Pro

[Colin1957]

I use software called DxO Optics Pro to process my NEF files to JPEGs. There is the possibility to achieve an HDR-like effect from a single RAW file. I have applied this to 2 already quite dramatic images shot on a beach in Crete as a storm approached. C&C please.

[JPS]

Hi Colin,
I like the effect in both pictures, especially the water in the 2nd image (pool).
Never used this package before but looking online it seems a fair price.
Let us know what you think of it once you have used it for a bit longer.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Colin,

Welcome to CiC - great to have you with us.

It's not really an "HDR Effect"; HDR is a technique for capturing a dynamic range thats greater than can be captured in a single exposure without additional equipment like GND filters, so there's really no such thing as an "HDR look", (although the term is commonly mis-used) - so what you really have here is what's called an "ultra tone mapped" look, where the tones within a normal range exposure are agressively re-mapped to produce a (normally) highly vibrant / high contrast image.

[Colin1957]

Hi Colin,

Welcome to CiC - great to have you with us.

It's not really an "HDR Effect"; HDR is a technique for capturing a dynamic range thats greater than can be captured in a single exposure without additional equipment like GND filters, so there's really no such thing as an "HDR look", (although the term is commonly mis-used) - so what you really have here is what's called an "ultra tone mapped" look, where the tones within a normal range exposure are agressively re-mapped to produce a (normally) highly vibrant / high contrast image.

Thanks Colin - I have very limited knowledge of HDR - I know that it usually involves merging multiple shots and that specialist software is available. DxO Optics Pro is a more general processing package and offers this effect as one of the multitude possibilities. I see images labelled as HDR all the time; to my eyes many are just too cartoon-like in their effect; my images above are (for me) right on that limit between what I consider to be photography and what is art.

[Colin1957]

Hi Colin,
I like the effect in both pictures, especially the water in the 2nd image (pool).
Never used this package before but looking online it seems a fair price.
Let us know what you think of it once you have used it for a bit longer.

Hi John,
I've been using DxO Optics Pro since late 2006 (version 4). Currently using 6.6. I note that version 7 launched last week. Like many I'm waiting for the early adopters to find the glitches and for DxO to sort them out. I process all of my RAW images using DxO; it works through 'modules' for specific camera bodies and lenses, close to 5,000 combinations available. I'm very happy with this software; it isn't the most intuitive package but the results are worth the effort. There are a number of presets for the RAW conversion and these are all customisable and can then be saved for future use. It doesn't have the range of functions of Photoshop (e.g. no dodge / burn) but it does offer specific optical corrections for each lens (assuming there is a module) together with great noise reduction possibilities. For example, I can push my ageing Nikon D200 to ISO1600, knowing that DxO will deal with the noise and give me perfectly acceptable images. The 'HDR - Single Shot' feature was new in version 6 and this is the first time I've used it.

[JPS]

Colin,
thanks for the feed back, I might well give it a try.

[Colin Southern]

Thanks Colin - I have very limited knowledge of HDR - I know that it usually involves merging multiple shots and that specialist software is available. DxO Optics Pro is a more general processing package and offers this effect as one of the multitude possibilities. I see images labelled as HDR all the time; to my eyes many are just too cartoon-like in their effect; my images above are (for me) right on that limit between what I consider to be photography and what is art.

Hi Colin,

No worries.

Yes, we do see "HDR" images labeled as such all the time (bit of a hobby horse of mine to be honest). I like to try and keep the record straight though because I feel that the differences are important, and I think it also makes it harder for folks to understand if HDR and tone mapping aren't clearly seperated. Because all images are "normal dynamic range" when they're displayed, it's impossible to tell if it was shot from an HDR source, where as anyone can spot an ultra tone-mapped image from 100 miles away.

[Donald]

I've been using DxO Optics Pro since late 2006 (version 4). Currently using 6.6. I note that version 7 launched last week.

Colin - I keep looking for a notice telling me the update is available, but I'm not getting it. Are they just selling 7 as a new package and not allowing us oldies to update to it?

I agree with DxO is a superb tool. I tried a few others, including DxO, ditched them .... and then tried DxO again, The second time round it made perfect sense and everything just slotted into place. I'd never give it up now.

It doesn't have the range of functions of Photoshop (e.g. no dodge / burn) but it does offer specific optical corrections for each lens (assuming there is a module) together with great noise reduction possibilities.

I don't think we should see it as trying to compete with PS or any of the other products of that nature, albeit the Adobe products seem to have Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) tagged onto them.

I always see DxO as the first step. The resulting file is then taken into other packages (in my case mainly Silver Efex Pro 2 and then the GIMP for further and final processing). I used to do my B & W conversions in DxO, but find SEP2 a better tool for the job.

[Colin1957]

[QUOTE=Donald;166066]Colin - I keep looking for a notice telling me the update is available, but I'm not getting it. Are they just selling 7 as a new package and not allowing us oldies to update to

Donald,
I got an e-mail from DxO a couple of days ago announcing v7 and inviting me to upgrade with an offer price available until 24 December. I am also committed to DxO Optics Pro; the dedicated forum for the Mac version is very quiet, a few negative comments, so I am waiting a while in the hope that things get sorted while the offer is still on.