Landscapes - Archive

[Wolf]

[Edwin Harvey]

Two photomerged tonemapped images taken with my trusty Canon 40D @ Bribie Island, Qld, Australia.

[MiniChris]

I am not sure I understand the difference between HDR and tone mapping...would someone please enlighten me to each and to which advantage of either.

[Wolf]

As far as I know HDR is 3 or more images used and tone mapping is 1 image used

[Colin Southern]

I am not sure I understand the difference between HDR and tone mapping...would someone please enlighten me to each and to which advantage of either.

Hi Chris,

They're the source of much confusion!

Basically, HDR is a technique or set of techniques for capturing a scene that has a dynamic range that's too big to be captured in a normal single exposure; so one typically takes a number of different exposures, or one uses something like a GND filter to compress the dynamic range.

Tone mapping is typically used after a HDR capture, but it can also be applied to a single/normal dynamic range capture, and is thus the source of the confusion.

When one captures a high dynamic range scene, one is left with an electronic representation of the image in ones computer - but - we currently have no way to display or print such an image because it may contain 12 or more stops of dynamic range, and the best a monitor will be able to do will be around 6 stops, and paper 4 - so tone mapping takes these tones that cover a very big range, and maps them into a much smaller range that we can display or print. The confusion comes from the fact that the same programs that do this tone mapping (eg Photomatix) can also redistribute the tones from a normal dynamic range capture, often producing a similar "ultra tone mapped" look (what some would also call a "grossly over-processed / Harry Potter nightmare" look, but I digress!).

So often we'll be presented with an ultra tone mapped / over processed image that the artist will call "HDR", but will then go on to say "that was produced from a single image" when the reality is that - unless you're using something like a GND filter to compress the tonal range, it's impossibleto produce an HDR image from a single shot, as it's impossible for the finished image to contain more dynamic range than was captured initially.

So HDR is a technique / set of techniques for capturing a scene with a high dynamic range, and tone mapping is a technique for redistributing the tonal range of an image (traditionally an HDR image, but technically, it doesn't have to be).

Does this help?

[MiniChris]

Yeah, and I don't think I like either one...I know HDR always looks like it was printed through bubble wrap and on only rare occasions have I actually seen it look "okay." I think I 've seen some tone mapped images here, Rob has worked on, but since he is in a different league than the rest of us (mostly), it's always been hard to tell if he's using a tone map or just really super duper in his PP work.
Thanks for the clarification. I think its far more important for me to understand the rest before venturing into that venue.

[Colin Southern]

I know HDR always looks like it was printed through bubble wrap and on only rare occasions have I actually seen it look "okay."

No, not at all.

Have a look at two images I shot tonight ... one is HDR, the other isn't ... see if you can tell which is which?

And my favourite is?

I think I 've seen some tone mapped images here, Rob has worked on, but since he is in a different league than the rest of us (mostly), it's always been hard to tell if he's using a tone map or just really super duper in his PP work.
Thanks for the clarification. I think its far more important for me to understand the rest before venturing into that venue.

In reality, all images are tone mapped at some point (even something like adding fill light slider or a curve layer is tone mapping the image), but it would be nice if people would reserve use of the term for when it's used in conjunction with true HDR images, but I doubt that that's ever going to happen (despite my best efforts).

I know the type of image you mean though -- personally, my name for it is "over-processed mush", but there are probably better technical descriptions!

[Donald]

, but it would be nice if people would reserve use of the term for when it's used in conjunction with true HDR images, but I doubt that that's ever going to happen (despite my best efforts).

Keep going, my son! Remember, the conversion to Christianity of much of the then known world didn't happen for a few hundred years. So, you've still got time!

[MiniChris]

Maybe we could revive a few of the older Popes and get things moving along in a more proficient manner...tongue in cheek, of course.

[Wolf]

Basically what I said in my first post without the technicality

[arith]

Thanks Antonio. No danger really. I was a good metre back from the edge but I think the lens distorts the image in such away as to give the impression I'm leaning over the edge. I have no plans to suffer (ie falling off cliffs!) for my art!

There's only a small crop to that image so it's using the full width (range? diameter? what's the correct terminology?) of the lens. Normally I try to avoid capturing a scene where one side of the image is close to the lens while the other is in the distance, as the lens distortion is so obvious in these types of images. But it works here I think

Same spot. Slightly different perspective.

I'm frightened of heights and I wouldn't get closer than 2 metres on my knees.
Daft story; I was flying an open glider and had the silly idea to look over the side, I can remember going green and immediately fixing my eyes on the horizon.

Like the image a lot.

[Vandenberg]

@arith I always shoot as much as possible, and sometimes you discover things that you did not expect
@nicola, The photo was along the waterfront, I tilted the photo a bit
So it seems that the trees lean over to right
@Antonio Correia, c&c me with your usual style.
there is always something in my picture that you don't like a photograph is a frozen moment in time
Sometimes you have to accept that things are as they are, and sometimes they are there for a reason if you like it or not

I hope you understand me, my English is not too good

[Nicola]

@Antonio Correia, c&c me with your usual style.
there is always something in my picture that you don't like a photograph is a frozen moment in time
Sometimes you have to accept that things are as they are, and sometimes they are there for a reason if you like it or not

I hope you understand me, my English is not too good

I understand what you're saying Vandemberg! But Antonio is a perfectionist! for ex. he doesn't like footprints in the sand... all the pictures I posted with beach he (correctly) pointed his finger to that!
I 'm thinking to walk with the camera in the right hand and a machine gun in the left one... in order to kill everyone who walk on the sand I'm photographing!

Antonio, I'm joking, please don't be angry!!
please keep on commenting, it's always welcome!! and, you know... I need it!

[MiniChris]

And, Antonio is but one voice in Landscape. There are many very excellent landscape photographers in this forum.

[Vandenberg]

Although he sometimes whines too much, I still remain

[Nicola]

Although he sometimes whines too much, I still remain

me too!
is there an association campaign for this club?

[username]

I really enjoy this picture. It has a sense of serenity and peace to it. It really relaxes a person, and gives you a more positive mood.

[Meaganeleven11]

Wow. I must say, I always love photographs of nature, but yours is by far one of the best I've seen. I love the way the texture of the rocks looks against the smooth waterfall in the second picture. However, I think I like the first one more because of the two different aspects you have shown through one picture. In one way, you have a dark and a light part of a picture in one, which really works well together as contrast between the two.

[Meaganeleven11]

I love this photograph because of the texture you have created. The texture of the rocks and the texture of the water work together beautifully to create a true piece of art. I also love the color of the water against the dark brown of the rocks and the green of the vegetation around the landscape. However, I think that the green in the right corner is a little out of place, think about framing in the right corner a little better.

[ashleticia]

This photo is beautiful, it is has various colors that bring out this photo. It is a mystery, as the waterfall is set to the back and is bright, it sets my eyes to look deep in the photo. The stream can be seen and the rocks under the water which is very interesting to me. However, the plant on the rock is out of focus and seems a little blurry. I like the photo better when it is not so close up. All in all, this photo captured my attention.