Shadows/highlights compression: comparison between RawTherapee and Photoflow

[agriggio (Alberto)]

Hi,

@Carmelo_DrRaw

Here is how the initial image looks like

I lifted the exposure by 1 EV and applied the dynamic range compression module with default parameters

Finally I added a filmic tone mapping adjustment:

That’s a nice result! I agree that it looks better than what you got with the shadows/highlights tool of RT. However, FWIW that’s not how I would use the S/H tool. (In my mind at least) the S/H tool is meant to be used for “fine tuning” the picture, to be applied with a “light touch”. RT has another tool, which happens to be called “Dynamic Range Compression”, which is what I would use to perform the bulk of the work. Here’s an example.

Your starting point:

2EV exposure lifting and Dynamic Range Compression with default parameters:

Then a simple S-curve:

And finally, a touch of highlights:

You can then add some local contrast later for a more “aggressive” look (though I won’t do that here).