One-Shot HDR Effects Controls

One-Shot HDR Effects are a collection of effects using the HDR and CLAHE functions in Sagelight, and are designed to have a different impact on your image.

 

All of these effects can be replicated by selecting them as a preset in the main Pro HDR and CLAHE functions in the Sagelight "Pro" menu.

 

You can use various controls in the one-shot effects to control the result and the strength of the effect on your image.

 

The 'Mixture Strength' slider is very important, as it has the biggest impact on how deep the effect changes your image.

 

This lists the effects available.  Effects labeled "HDR" use the HDR functions, and the effects labeled "CLAHE" use the CLAHE functions, which can (and are designed to be) much harsher than the HDR effects.

 

The effects list is designed so that you can easily move between effects and decide which one works best for your image.  When you make changes to the effects with the control sliders (Mixture Strength, Color, etc.), these settings are saved during the session.  When you move to another effect, a red '*' will appear indicating the setting has been changed.  When you move back to the changed effect, the control settings will reflect the changes made earlier.  Press the Reset button to reset the effect to its default/initial state.

 

 

The Mixture Strength Slider blends the result with your image.   Many results can be harsh, especially with the CLAHE functions, and the Mixture Strength will reduce the amount of the result, blending it back with your image by the percent indicated on the slider.

 

The Mixture Strength can be used to convert a harsh result into a photographic result that is much more defined, to simply ease a result to look a little less harsh, but still more artistic in nature.

 

The Color Slider increases or decreases the amount of color (saturation) in the result. This uses the Sagelight RGB Hybrid algorithm, delivering a deep, warm saturation.

 

With HDR and CLAHE results, adding color can often make an image look nicer.  With some results, reducing the saturation may work better.

 

note: when using the 'Vibrant Colors' function, the saturation will typically need to be adjusted as a result.

The Smart Contrast slider adjusts the contrast of the image using the Sagelight Smart Contrast algorithm.  This adjusts the contrast by using a real-time, live analysis of the image, keeping highlights and shadows from becoming blown out or too deep.

 

The Highlights Slider will reduce the highlights in the image using an analysis of the highlight areas.

 

 

The Definition Slider will add or remove definition from the image.  When moved in the positive direction, definition as added.  Watch for halos, as these can sometimes appear in areas with a lot of contrast.  If halos do appear, you can use the Definition in the Quick Edit Mode (which is the same thing) and then use the Undo Brush to control halos that may appear.

 

In the negative direction (i.e. left), the image is softened.

 

Depending on the preset, the Definition Slider can be set in a high positive (i.e. sharper, more definition) or high negative (i.e. soft) value.

 

The setting of this slider can make a very big difference in how your image appears.  This is a good control to try in both directions to see how it affects your image.

 

When check, the Reduce Noise option performs noise-reduction on your image prior to any HDR or CLAHE operation.  HDR and CLAHE cause noise by their nature, and reducing the noise can help alleviate this issue.

 

When you first click this button, it may take a few seconds to generate the noise-reduction image.  This only occurs once, and selecting it after that will not take any time.

 

When checked, the colors are fill much more in the shadows and can lead to much more colorful images.  This can also provide too much color.  Some settings have this checked as a default, where others don't, depending on the particular effect.

 

When unchecked, the colors fill more in the middle and an image can look more natural.

 

In cases where colors seem to overwhelming (especially skin tones), turn this setting off.

 

note: when this setting is changed, the saturation will typically need to be adjusted with the Color Slider.  For example, when this setting is turn ON (from an OFF) state, the colors may become much too saturated.  In the opposite direction (being turned OFF from an ON state), the colors may become dull.

 

In both cases, use the Color Slider to compensate.

This button resets any changes made to the selected preset.  You can move from preset to preset without affecting any changes you've made.  The Reset Button can be used at any time to reset the selected preset, and will not affect any other changed preset in the current session.

 

When pressed, the current settings will be performed to your entire image and you will be returned to the Quick Edit Mode (or Pro Quick Edit Mode).

 

When pressed, this will cancel all changes and exit the One-Shot HDR function, returning you to the Quick Edit Mode (or Pro Quick Edit Mode) without changing your image.