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The HDRI tab is the only one that may need explanation and can only be accessed if you create an HDR image from the series of upload shots. Here users can firstly align all images on screen in the interface. This drop-menu bar includes Fast alignment, Normal alignment and High-quality alignment. The better the alignment quality, the longer the software will take to process. In most cases Normal will suffice to get you started.
Each parameter can then be individually tweaked to affect specific image values – so experimentation is key, and in most cases you’ll stay within either end of the HDR spectrum for soft or strong effects. The Saturation parameter, for example, is used to change the intensity of the image colours; Lowlights i contrast control, the Highlights parameter does the opposite. Level of Detail defines the details detected – as the value is increased, the colour transition becomes sharper, just beware noise artefacts. The remaining Lightness, Dark detail and Light Detail parameters deal with designated luminosity to image details and as a whole.
Adjustment options are there for applying HDR effects to a single image, catering for digital artists rather than professional photographers. Photoshop and Lightroom users will be familiar with examples such as Levels (applied to channels and as a whole), Gradient Contrasts affecting contrast in gradient areas, Smoothing that reduces noise , and more intuitive examples such as Local Contrast. Tone Correction, Depth and Color Intensity are standard.
