HDR Efex Pro

[Sanjin Jukic]

Nik Software HDR Efex Pro is a new app that I'm experimenting now using R3D files output in RCX B351.

Trail (PC/Mac) is available for two weeks then you can maybe also try out for yourself.

HDR Efex Pro is able to do many things to get HDR image and there are the following main features:

- Multiple Algorithms
- Intuitive Interface
- U Point Technology
- Visual Presets
- Single Image HDR
- Ghost Reduction
- All-in-one Workflow
- Advanced Education
- Multi-threaded, 64-bit
- Software Compatibility
- Smart Object Compatible
- 32-bit Color Workflow

At first I was interested in "Single Image HDR".

"Achieve a great HDR look when you only have a single image. Single image use is
perfect for moving objects, portraits and your back catalog of images.

Not every shot or situation lends itself to the multiple exposures of HDR. However, HDR
Efex Pro enables you to use its advanced technology on a single image. For the first
time, you can go back into single images shot years earlier and either rejuvenate them
or apply a totally modern look.

Some subjects do not lend themselves to being shot with a tripod and bracketed
with multiple exposures. Sometimes, what photographers call
“the defining moment” happens and you just need to quickly
aim and shoot. Whether it’s a swift soccer goal, a hawk
soaring overhead, or a dog licking a child’s ice cream cone,
HDR Efex Pro lets you take the shot and use the many
variations available to edit your image.

High contrast images.

High contrast images are also ideal candidates for HDR
enhancements, even if you didn’t shoot with a tripod or
have HDR in mind when you originally captured the
image. Start with a RAW image, JPG or TIFF and let
HDR Efex Pro analyze and enhance your photo."

Below are some of the highlight images:

Shot on RED1 M with Leica Summilux R 35mm f/1.4, processed in RCX B351 and HDR Efex Pro.

Shot on RED1 M with Cooke 25-250 Cine Varotal zoom, processed in RCX B351 and HDR Efex Pro.

Shot on RED1 MX with Leica Apo-Summicron M 75mm f/2.0 at wide open @f/2.0, processed in RCX B351 and HDR Efex Pro.

Shot on RED1 MX with Leica Apo-Summicron M 75mm f/2.0 at wide open @f/2.0, processed in RCX B351 and HDR Efex Pro.

Shot on RED1 M with Leica Summilux R 50mm f/1.4, processed in RCX B351 and HDR Efex Pro.

Shot on RED1 M with Leica Summilux R 50mm f/1.4, processed in RCX B351 and HDR Efex Pro.

 

[scott william]

motion as well as stills?

 

[Uli Plank]

Many stills are motion…

I wonder how the noise looks like in motion.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

motion as well as stills?

Motion not but if you have a sequence that want to enhance with HDR from your RED shots then output those in tiffs and do batch processing in Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture to get a HDR effect result like above.

It takes some time but it will worth every penny.

 

[Wolfgang Woehl]

And here he goes again On a scale of 0 to 10 I'd say these are ~8. But I know Sanjin's still got aces up his sleeve. What's horrifying today will purr in your lap tomorrow when Sanjin unleashes his next round of ... honestly, I don't even know what to call these.

I'm messing with you, Sanjin. Hope that's okay

I need something now. Not sure yet whether it's to see the manager of this place or some form of non-purple-colored medication.

 

[Uli Plank]

We've experimented with Photomatix and image sequences from the RED last year, and we were underwhelmed. As soon as you move the camera, there are subtle fluctuations in areas with high contrast.
We didn't try HDR Efex Pro, so I'm curious if it would handle motion better. I get a little suspicious about noise in these examples, though. Might get really distracting in motion.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

And here he goes again On a scale of 0 to 10 I'd say these are ~8. But I know Sanjin's still got aces up his sleeve. What's horrifying today will purr in your lap tomorrow when Sanjin unleashes his next round of ... honestly, I don't even know what to call these.

I'm messing with you, Sanjin. Hope that's okay

I need something now. Not sure yet whether it's to see the manager of this place or some form of non-purple-colored medication.

We've experimented with Photomatix and image sequences from the RED last year, and we were underwhelmed. As soon as you move the camera, there are subtle fluctuations in areas with high contrast.
We didn't try HDR Efex Pro, so I'm curious if it would handle motion better. I get a little suspicious about noise in these examples, though. Might get really distracting in motion.

HDR Efex Pro is an incredible and very powerful application.

Everything can be customized very easy and I'm still digging inside that great app...

Just playing....

Shot on RED1 M with Angenieux 70-210mm f/3.5.

Shot on RED1 M with Leica R Summilux 50mm f/1.4.

Shot on RED1 M with Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

Shot on RED1 MX with Leica M Apo-Summicron 75mm f/2.0.

Shot on 7D with Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6.

 

[Interstellar]

Can we see a clip?

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Can we see a clip?

It takes time, I'll try to make 1k version. Can't say when?

Before or after Christmas, or before Scarlet (any option) ships.

Also I still don't believe that RED will ship Epic before because it looks

to me exactly on the pressure and rushing to launch RED ONE early and then we all know well what was happened.

Scarlet is an ideal product to fix many things (production/hardware/software/...) before more expensive

and also very much expected Epic will ship (also Epic needs a lot of time for the fine tuning).

In between I'm training myself with a lightweight DSLRs or so...

like a 7D, 5D and upcoming GH2 on lightweight tripod system from Gitzo and Libec,

also with Kessler Cine Slider and Steadicam Merlin with arm and vest.

Always I do have enough fun.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

In the very near future (or this is happening already today) your camera has to be a lightweight and small to capture as much real life details as possible:

HDR Efex Pro image enhanced: Shot on R1M with Canon 50mm FD L f/1.2 wide open @ f/1.2.