Still experimenting with QtPfsGUI

No. III is the most natural - at least I think it's the most natural ;-)

Version IV, for sure ;-) LOL, just kidding.

No. I is too contrasty but the most appealing version. I like the dark tones of the leaves. But the highlights are a bit too much overexposed.

No. II has too low contrast

No. III is probably the best balanced, but does not have the punch of the first version.

No. IV is too desaturated and does not work for me.

Just my 2 cents...

Definitely number 1...but I'm a punchy kind of guy!!!

Number 1 and IV for me.

I like the bottom right: Fiera di Senigallia I

I like the more desaturated look, gives it more of a realistic night feel for me....
but i would tone down the highlights a bit.

You've got me interested in this stuff now.

Here's a RAW photo I took and then tweaked in Apple's Aperture program using their highlights and shadows tool and the exposure:



Here is the same original RAW file that I ran through qtpfsgui with the Mantiuk setting:



I'm not sure which I prefer. The Aperture method is certainly easier, since all my photos get tweaked with it already.

I think the more important thing is what you look for. Aperture version looks more soft; Mantiuk, used with contrast equalization, looks more vivid but shows some processing artifacts inside the clouds. I don't know if it's a problem with my monitor calibration, but the Aperture version looks a little bit flat and unnatural. Paradoxically a Mantiuk version with manual settings can give it a more natural look, IMHO.

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