Pixiq

Double dipping is a way to produce some interesting HDR. I use it to create drawing effects.

© John Neel

What is double dipping? Actually it is a term I coined for a technique that I use to create a drawing effect using Photomatix Pro. In fact I do more than 'double dip'. I triple dip and sometimes I do it 4 - 5  times to obtain different looks. This can be useful for creating book illustrations or for a design project.

One of the things that is possible with Photomatix Pro is that after the initial processing, it is possible to perform additional tonemapping to the single HDR image. Each time you run it back through the tone mapping process, the image contrast is altered to a new level. Adjusting the sliders will produce different results and eventually you will have a look similar to a drawing. In fact, it is possible to obtain many different graphic arts looks depending on how you adjust the sliders and how many times you perform new tonemapping to an image. In most cases, I can create a reasonable 'drawing' look in a few applications of the process.

© John Neel

This is the original image that was created as an HDR image using Photomatix Pro.

The image is taken back into Photomatix Pro where it receives additional tweaks. The process is repeated until the image has the look you intend. 

 © John Neel

Image 1-  The original image was multi-tonemapped using the grunge preset in Photomatix Pro with a few additional tweaks. Removing the saturation turns the image into a b/w.

Image 2 - This is the same image but again using the sliders to increase the contrast as well as using the black, white adjustments and adding back some color using the color temperature slider. Other tweaks using the sliders have also been performed.

Image 3 - Again, the same image using additional tonemapping to achieve a different look that resembles something closer to a graphic arts print.

Once the image is to your liking, additional work may be performed in Photoshop as well as other software to finalize the image.

© John Neel

This image is ready for extra treatment in Photoshop or a paint program such as Studio Artist or Painter.

© John Neel

This is a more refined image that has been given a soft vignette using Silver Effects Pro software from NIK.

The idea, is to experiment using all of the tools in the HDR program as well as tweaking in Photoshop, or any other graphics software you choose. The effects can be endless. I would actually want to take this image through a final processing in either Painter or studio Artist in order to give it an even nicer penciled or graphics effect.

Play is the name of the game. Once you have what you like, save it as a 'level' preset. By that, I mean saving a preset at each stage of the process so that you can repeat it if you like.

Please read more of my posts regarding Digital and Analog Photography on Pixiq. 

THIS POSTING AS WELL AS ALL PHOTOGRAPHS AND GALLERY IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT - © JOHN NEEL AND ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PUPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE WRITER, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR PIXIQ. 

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