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The human eye can perceive about 100 million colors and shades, but even the finest cameras can only capture about one-sixth of that gamut. To help bridge this gap, plug-in maker Akvis has released the debut edition of HDRFactory, its studio for creating high dynamic range (HDR) images from either multiple exposures or a pseudo-HDR image from a single image.
HDRSoft has debuted version 2 of its Photomatix Light HDR software, intended to let enthusiast and hobbyist photographers work with either "bracketed" exposures or simple tone-mapping presets to produce high-dynamic-range photos that come closer to revealing all the detail in both light and dark areas that the human eye can perceive. From restoring washed out skies or enhancing details to giving photos a stylized "look," the program is designed to give photographers an introduction to HDR processing and an easy path to upgrading if they need it.
Unified Color Technologies has unveiled a new tool for photographers and photo enthusiasts,HDR Express, that seeks to automate some of the more complex parts of high-dynamic-range (HDR) photography -- such as tone mapping and halo elimination -- while speeding up the process of making an HDR image.
Developers have reportedly begun receiving the iOS 4.1 golden master, a final pre-release version before the software is released to customers. The update will introduce Apple's new Game Center gaming service and HDR photography capabilities. Users will also be able to take advantage of HD video uploads via Wi-Fi, while a number of bug fixes address sensor problems and performance issues with the iPhone 3G.
Pictional has launched a new High Dynamic Range (HDR) utility for the iPhone, TrueHDR 1.0.1. The app creates HDR images by blending two similar images, captured at different exposures, for an increased tonal range. iPhone 3GS users can take two images within the app, while all iPhone users can select saved images to blend.
Creaceed (booth S-332S) this week unveiled version 2.0 of Hydra, its HDR photography application. According to the company, Hydra creates an High Dynamic Range (HDR) image which is "much closer to what one can actually see." The program is available as a Mac application or as the "the only" HDR plug-in for Aperture. Version 2.0 offers a new "Perceptive" default tone mapper for improved and more natural results and "Homography", the new default alignment technique that is very useful for small distortions. It also adds "The Loupe," a new tool for real time 1:1 full quality preview.
Creaceed has announced Hydra 2.0, an update to its high dynamic range (HDR) photograph application. The latest version offers new advanced configuration options, a redesigned tone-mapper and an improved user interface. The program allows users to combine up to ten underexposed and overexposed pictures to create HDR images, while automatic alignment capabilities eliminate the need to use a tripod for stabilizing the camera. The software currently supports TIFF, JPEG, PNG, PSD, PDF, RAW and DNG file formats.
Creaceed on Monday delivered version 1.5 of Hydra as well as a beta Aperture plugin for easy HDR image creation on Mac OS X Leopard. Hydra 1.5, which features an updated imaging pipeline and Aperture integration, gives human eye perception to photographs by creating high dynamic range (HDR) images from a series of regular photographs, either from DSLRs or traditional point-and-shoot cameras. The created image compensates for the limited dynamic range of cameras, the company claims. "In addition, it more closely resembles what is actually seen. Unlike most HDR softwares, Hydra does not require images taken with a tripod." Hydra supports photo resolutions above 20 megapixels and adds support for new RAW and DNG file formats as well as provides OpenEXR export format to further edit the image in other applications.
