A New HDR Processor

Ken-L · 07-21-2010, 12:34 PM

I have done a lot of HDR images using Photomatix Pro. I just found out about Oloneo, a new HDR program. the Beta is available as a free download. Oloneo - Oloneo PhotoEngine

I like Oloneo. I gave Oloneo two tries. Both of images I had done before with Photomatix. I'm not going to show the comparisons, because the results are too subjective and I might not be objective enough.

I know Photomatix a lot better and so I'm more familiar with it. In spite of my unfamilarity with Oloneo I was impressed with how I was able to manipulate the various adjustments. The results were also impressive. I encourage anyone to download the free Beta and play with it. I'm already considering abandoning Photomatix Pro in favor of Oloneo.

Oleono needs at least 2 images as does Photomatix, but is limited to only 6, which may be all we need. I have done 14 images with Photomatix Pro when I first started doing HDR. Now I usually do 5. I can't find a reference to a Photoshop Plugin, which Photomatix does provide for tonemapping a single image. So, it seems Oloneo does not provide single image tonemapping. I do use tonemapping from time to time, and although I never confuse that with true HDR anyway, it is a useful tool, one that Oloneo should address.

jcjacob · 07-21-2010, 01:19 PM

Interesting. I checked their site, the Flickr forum and the posts about this on Photocamel. It looks quite good.

I only just tried processing an HDR for the first time in the past week, which I did with HDR Pro in Photoshop CS5. Before I invest in additional software, I need to get better at capturing the images I need to get the merged results that I want. I think it would be in best interest to evaluate the tools on images that can produce a high quality finished product (I don't want to fault software for a problem that was mine to begin with).

Have you used HDR Pro? I'm sure as improved as it is over previous version of PS, it's still not quite on par with Photomatrix. I've also read many differing opinions on Dynamic PhotoHDR.

Ken-L · 07-21-2010, 05:06 PM

Okay, I just tried PS HDR Pro, and it is a very poor excuse for an HDR program! It does no tonemapping of the images. Either Photomatix or Oloneo do real HDR, with tonemapping an integral part of what they do. It's no wonder that you are being tentative about HDR, John.

HDR is very easy:

Use a tripod.
Set for ISO-200 (or less) & disable any "auto-ISO" functions; you want the same for every shot, just as we do panos.
Set for Aperture Preferred. You want the same aperture for each shot.
Take at least three shots.
The first shot is the "reference" photo, and will be what the camera would meter for an average shot using the ISO and Aperture you selected, so it will select a shutter speed for you.
The second shot; change your EV (Exposure Value) to at least 1-stop (one number) underexposed.
The third shot; change your EV to at least 1-stop underexposed.
Now import (or select) the three images into Oloneo and play with the various settings until it looks the way you want it to.

Even after you are quite familiar with the settings you may still do as I, and try every one on every HDR project to see how it specificall affects the image. I go back and forth through all the settings until I get what I want.

Seems more complex than it is! Take 3 images with 1-stop difference for each, then process.

edk · 07-22-2010, 05:48 PM

Just downloded and tried it, its fast!! different results from Photomatix so definitely worth having in the kit bag.

07-21-2010, 12:34 PM	#1
Ken-L Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 150	A New HDR Processor I have done a lot of HDR images using Photomatix Pro. I just found out about Oloneo, a new HDR program. the Beta is available as a free download. Oloneo - Oloneo PhotoEngine I like Oloneo. I gave Oloneo two tries. Both of images I had done before with Photomatix. I'm not going to show the comparisons, because the results are too subjective and I might not be objective enough. I know Photomatix a lot better and so I'm more familiar with it. In spite of my unfamilarity with Oloneo I was impressed with how I was able to manipulate the various adjustments. The results were also impressive. I encourage anyone to download the free Beta and play with it. I'm already considering abandoning Photomatix Pro in favor of Oloneo. Oleono needs at least 2 images as does Photomatix, but is limited to only 6, which may be all we need. I have done 14 images with Photomatix Pro when I first started doing HDR. Now I usually do 5. I can't find a reference to a Photoshop Plugin, which Photomatix does provide for tonemapping a single image. So, it seems Oloneo does not provide single image tonemapping. I do use tonemapping from time to time, and although I never confuse that with true HDR anyway, it is a useful tool, one that Oloneo should address. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on Tech Today Online, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more. __________________ "An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way." - Bukowski

07-21-2010, 01:19 PM	#2
jcjacob Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 159	Interesting. I checked their site, the Flickr forum and the posts about this on Photocamel. It looks quite good. I only just tried processing an HDR for the first time in the past week, which I did with HDR Pro in Photoshop CS5. Before I invest in additional software, I need to get better at capturing the images I need to get the merged results that I want. I think it would be in best interest to evaluate the tools on images that can produce a high quality finished product (I don't want to fault software for a problem that was mine to begin with). Have you used HDR Pro? I'm sure as improved as it is over previous version of PS, it's still not quite on par with Photomatrix. I've also read many differing opinions on Dynamic PhotoHDR. __________________ -John

07-21-2010, 05:06 PM	#3
Ken-L Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 150	Creating an HDR Image Okay, I just tried PS HDR Pro, and it is a very poor excuse for an HDR program! It does no tonemapping of the images. Either Photomatix or Oloneo do real HDR, with tonemapping an integral part of what they do. It's no wonder that you are being tentative about HDR, John. HDR is very easy: Use a tripod. Set for ISO-200 (or less) & disable any "auto-ISO" functions; you want the same for every shot, just as we do panos. Set for Aperture Preferred. You want the same aperture for each shot. Take at least three shots. The first shot is the "reference" photo, and will be what the camera would meter for an average shot using the ISO and Aperture you selected, so it will select a shutter speed for you. The second shot; change your EV (Exposure Value) to at least 1-stop (one number) underexposed. The third shot; change your EV to at least 1-stop underexposed. Now import (or select) the three images into Oloneo and play with the various settings until it looks the way you want it to. Even after you are quite familiar with the settings you may still do as I, and try every one on every HDR project to see how it specificall affects the image. I go back and forth through all the settings until I get what I want. Seems more complex than it is! Take 3 images with 1-stop difference for each, then process. __________________ "An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way." - Bukowski

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07-22-2010, 05:48 PM	#4
edk Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 49	Just downloded and tried it, its fast!! different results from Photomatix so definitely worth having in the kit bag.