PDA

View Full Version : qtpfsgui, anyone use it?


MLR1722
14th of April 2010 (Wed), 23:37
It's a free open source HDR program.

After seeing some of the beautiful effects you guys are getting using HDR, I wanted to try it for myself.

The problem is, the sticky tutorials at the top of the HDR forum don't cover this software, so I'm really limited to just fumbling around with the software controls to try to figure out how to get various effects, and I don't understand most of the nomenclature on the controls in the first place.

With processing times on my computer for some of the functions approaching 2 minutes, it can be frustrating doing trial and error experimentation to see effects.

I am using a Rebel XS and have been shooting 3 images with a 2 stop AEB.

I can get the surreal, saturated effect that I see in many of the images here, but I also get a lot of noise with it.

Having just plunked down almost $1000 for the camera and some accessories over the last couple of weeks, I don't think my wife would take the purchase of software sitting down.

So, I'm looking for some help understanding the qtpfsgui software. I found it in a link in the sticky, but haven't seen any tutorials for its use.

The biggest thing I am having difficulty understanding is that the tone adjustment feature has something like 6 or 7 models that were created by some engineers or something, and you can select between the different models and then tune them from there.

But it isn't a "for dummies" intuitive interface. Nevertheless, I read some reviews where it is considered the best of the open source free HDR programs.

MLR1722
15th of April 2010 (Thu), 02:09
Well, after fooling with the photomatix demo version for a few shots, I'm sold. I sprung for the $33 odd bucks and bought a license.

For anyone interested there are several coupon codes that offer approximately a $5 discount. Just google "photomatix coupon code".

kirkt
15th of April 2010 (Thu), 09:05
qtpfsgui is a great GUI-based way to experiment with some of the better-known tone mapping operators (TMO) that form the basis for much of the development of HDR tone mapping. If you want to learn more about the technical aspects of each TMO you should consider reading the essential book regarding HDR, its theoretical basis and application:

High Dynamic Range Imaging: Acquisition, Display, and Image-Based Lighting (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Computer Graphics)

http://www.amazon.com/High-Dynamic-Range-Imaging-Acquisition/dp/0125852630

This approach may be too technical for some, so here is a short summary:

http://osp.wikidot.com/parameters-for-photographers

To cut down on rendering time, use a small preview - once you get results you like, increase the render size. qtpfsgui is not Photomatix in terms of the simplicity of the UI and tone mapping metaphor - however, it is a very powerful set of TMOs for free - a little education goes a long way in experimenting with the TMOs.

Kirk

MLR1722
15th of April 2010 (Thu), 12:46
Thanks for the links. The second one was a great concise explanation of the different "operators". It kinda makes sense now given the results of my fumbling around with the software.