How to use the Olympus Gradation Function?

 Last Update:- 12th June 2023

1. Introduction

The computational features from Olympus are well regarded by those who use them. Unfortunately, many Olympus photographers will never experience the benefits of computational photography or the broader application of functions like High-Resolution Imaging and the Gradation function. The main reason is cleverly designed counter-marketing filters.

It doesn't need much to see the Engineering Team at the old Olympus Imaging Business was at least 10 years ahead of its competitors. The EM-5 MKI is a 2nd generation mirrorless camera with a 5-Axis IBIS solution for both stills and video. Canon and Nikon designed and sold DSLRs like the 60D, 5D3, D800, and D5200 when Olympus introduced the EM-5 with more Creative Color features.

Olympus EP-7 with the 45mm f1.8 lens, Gradation = "Auto." These Enhanced Raw Files were converted and edited in Workspace.

We reviewed the importance of SNR and sensor saturation. For example, how do we get more light onto the image sensor? Should we increase the ISO, use a flash, or adjust the Aperture/Shutter? We discussed ISO amplification and the role of the Aperture and Shutter. We will use this information to learn more about Olympus cameras and the Gradation function.

TIP: View the images on a large screen and study the descriptions...

EM1 III with the 12 - 45mm f4.0 Pro lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/1.16Sec, +0.7EV - The focus stacked OOC image was edited in Workspace.

My lovely wife bought flowers, and I created a small studio for my EM1 III, tripod, large diffuser, and Rotolight Neo 2. Did you know the Gradation function changes your exposure values? Experiment with the 4 Gradation options and watch your camera's auto-exposure values change. 

A focus-stacked ISO3200 example. I used 4 (bracketed) Enhanced Raw Files and applied the AI noise filter before stacking them in Workspace.

I will discuss the following:

1. Introduction
2. Why is the Gradation High option interesting for ETTR?
3. The three reasons why photographers use ETTR in 2023
4. Practical discussion on using ETTR with Olympus cameras
5. A brief overview of noise and the Olympus Noise Filter...
6. Conclusion (See my thoughts about the EM1 III and XT-5)

The Pen F and 17mm f1.8 lens (Edited version). I selected Gradation High in my Pen F and Normal to "color grade" the Enhanced Raw File.

2. Why is the Gradation HIGH option interesting for ETTR?

The Gradation function has 4 tone curves (Normal, Auto, Low, and High). The EM1 III U/M says it makes tiny adjustments to the camera's tones. See the user's manual for a description of each.

I have been using the Gradation function more frequently over the past year. For example, the Auto option is used to edit the image (raw + jpeg) with the camera or Workspace. I also use the Highlights & Shadows sliders to fine-tune the camera's Tone Curve. It's possible to simulate these "camera" settings in Workspace? In a previous article, I said the Gradation function should be great for ETTR. This article explores the Gradation High option for ETTR.

I often experience the WOW factor as I learn more about the Computational Features from Olympus. We can compare the Gradation "High" option with a V-Log profile and "Normal" to Color Grading. I tested this on my EM1 III with the Gradation "High" option and "color grading" via the Enhanced Raw File and Workspace. It's now possible to use ETTR without much effort.

Why do I use Midtones to adjust the final brightness of my image? Because it preserves my Neutral Gray values. Neutral (18%) gray mean the camera's colors are accurate. The exposure compensation slider adjusts the camera's Neutral Gray values. (Ref. the Zone System) This is why it's good to use the exposure and mid-tone adjustments separately. Does this also apply to ETTR? Yes, it's best to correct any ETTR over-exposures with the exposure compensation slider...

Did Olympus improve the Gradation function (Tone Curves) over the years? They said they did in the EM-5 launch documents. I didn't verify the more recent cameras...

The unedited OOC jpeg version of the above image with Gradation set to High. I used the Gradation function for ETTR.

3. The three reasons for using ETTR in 2023

Here are the 3 main reasons for using ETTR:-

1. Cameras do not saturate the sensor in Auto Exposure mode
1. The reason is a built-in DR safety margin for Auto users...
2. These safety margins impact your shadow details & noise
3. ETTR enables photographers to saturate the image sensor
4. How did I learn this? Knowledge and an unfiltered mindset
2. ETTR helps us to improve the sensor's Signal to Noise ratio (SNR)
1. The visibility of the sensor's noise floor increases at lower SNRs
2. Upping the SNR means the sensor's noise floor becomes less visible
3. ETTR is especially effective in the shadow areas of the image
3. ETTR improves our tonal data in the shadow areas of the image
1. Sensors are linear devices with less tonal data in the shadows
2. ETTR shifts the tone curves to the right to record more data

See this article about exposure, gamma curves, and tonal data...

4. Practical discussion on ETTR and Olympus

The Gradation function is one of the several computational functions from Olympus and a powerful option for ETTR. The HIGH option automatically saturates the sensor without clipping the highlights (EM5 Press Release). That means Workspace, the Enhanced Raw Format, and the Gradation High option let us increase the SNR, saturate the sensor, and shift the camera's tone curve to the right. We reset (color grade) the HIGH option with the Gradation NORMAL option in Workspace. 

The resulting 16-Bit Tiff file from Workspace has a higher SNR, more tonal data, looks like a regular image, and offers more flexibility when we edit the converted 16-bit Tiff file in Photoshop.

Here are a few practical Tips:

• Our goal is more light on the sensor (camera settings, time of day, and flash)
• It's critical to be clear about the ISO's role versus the Aperture/Shutter Speed.
• Use a fixed ISO value to prevent the camera from amplifying the image signal
• Never disregard the importance of using a flash to add more light to the sensor
• It's always good to set your White Balance manually. (Not critical for ETTR)
• It helps to create a flat profile with Highlights/Shadows for Gradation High...
• Experiment with your Histogram Settings and use the Histogram with ETTR.

Olympus Pen F with 45mm f1.8 lens - ISO1600, f7.1, 1/8 Sec - Converted and "color graded" in Workspace, no noise reduction.

Experiment with the Gradation High and Highlight/Shadows functions to create your "ETTR" camera profiles. A flat Tone Curve means negative values for Highlights and positive for Shadows, like Highlights -3 and Shadows +4. Always use the same principle of creating a Tone Curve in the camera and "Color Grading" (resetting) in Workspace and the Enhanced Raw File. "Color grading" Olympus Tone Curves do not mean opposite values like we typically do with V-Log Profiles. It simply means returning the camera's settings to their default values. The Enhanced Raw File allows us to reset the image to Neutral Gray in Workspace.

Raw Converters use a fixed Gamma curve (profile) to enable us to view the data. The older software Viewer 3, had a Gamma setting to change the profile's shadows, midrange, and highlights. Consider the Gradation and Highlights/Shadow adjustments as "Pre-Gamma" or Tone Curve adjustments in the camera. It's possible to Color-Grade or use them as Pre-Gamma adjustments.

The Gradation and highlight/shadow functions let us create flat tone curves or edit the image look. Always ask yourself, how can I get more light on my sensor, and what should my final image (jpeg) look like? This is why we use the aperture/shutter or exposure compensation to adjust the exposure (light) and the mid-tone function to adjust the look of the image with Workspace or the camera? The Enhanced Raw Format allows us to access almost any camera setting in Workspace.

The Olympus FL300R needs almost no space.

Does Color Grading change any of the ETTR benefits? No, the recording happens in the camera, and the ETTR benefits are part of the final image. Workspace does not add or remove any light from the sensor. That's why it's only possible to simulate the ETTR function in Workspace. 

"Color Grading" means the camera values are zero in Workspace. That means we will change the camera settings, Shadows +5 and Highlight -5 (flat tone curve), to zero in Workspace. Experiment by applying "ETTR" with the camera and Color-Grading the Tone Curve in Workspace. Take the time to practice using your camera's Exposure Meter and the feedback from the Histogram.

Did the noise disappear in the above illustration? No, the size of the sensor's noise floor stays the same. We only improved the SNR, which means the noise floor became less visible. Should reviewers say smaller sensors have more noise? Absolutely not... ALL sensors have a noise floor...

The Olympus XZ-2 is a great compact camera. I prefer to get my info from manufacturers and don't trust camera reviewers or photography forum experts. My research and knowledge of digital cameras are also a great help. Discovering the XZ-2 and the satisfaction of using great oldies like the XZ-1 and the XZ-2 is exhilarating. The XZ-2 uses a BSI sensor, and the XZ-1 a CCD sensor.

Olympus Stylus XZ-2 - ISO100, f4.0, 1/500 - The Gradation Auto option in the camera and color-graded in Workspace.

The EP-3 is another oldie and an excellent camera. I took my EP-3 with my 12-50mm lens for a late afternoon walk with the dog. The XZ-2 and the EP-3 are compatible with the VF-4 Electronic View Finder. My XZ-2 was set to Auto Gradation in the above image.

I typically use 2-steps to convert and edit my Enhanced Raw Files. I select and edit my camera settings in Workspace for step 1, and the focus is specific or advanced image editing in step 2. Advanced editing can be done in Workspace or something like Photoshop. For example, I used the Gradation Auto option, Highlights/Shadows, and Tone Curves to edit the image below. We only need Step 1 or the converted 16-Bit Tiff file to post-process the image in Photoshop.

The EP-3 and the 12-50mm lens - ISO3200, f5.2, 1/80 - I converted the Enhanced Raw File with WS (Noise Filter = Low) and tweaked it in Photoshop.

The EP3 raw file was converted with PhotoLab 5, and I used DeepPrime (AI Noise Filter). The final image was edited with Photoshop.

5. A brief overview of image noise and the Olympus Noise Filter

Olympus photographers should experiment more with the Olympus Noise Filter. The main reason newer camera models have less noise is a smaller noise floor in modern sensors, more sensitive sensors, and more processing power like the Pen EP-3 and EM1 III. DxO PhotoLab became my benchmark to rate the Noise Filter in Olympus cameras and Workspace. The PhotoLab "Prime" option is enough for my general photography needs with the PEN, OMD, and XZ-2. I only use DeepPrime for extreme cases. It's possible to cancel the Olympus Noise Filter in favor of the PhotoLab noise filter...

Olympus cameras and Workspace use excellent Noise Filters. The Workspace AI option is enough for any challenging situation with the EM1 II/III or the OM-1. The default Olympus Noise Filter setting is "Normal." I prefer the "Low" option for my Olympus cameras. One can always use the Enhanced Raw Format to select the Standard or High options in Workspace. I rarely use the additional two sliders in the Workspace. Study this article for more on image noise and image sensors.

I used the Gradation "Auto" and Noise Filter "Low" options in the image below. I was surprised by the excellent DR and IQ of my Pen EP-3 and the XZ-2. The Pen EP-3 is a surprisingly good camera with all the marketing filters removed. For example, always start with the Official News Releases from Olympus if you like to learn more about Olympus cameras. See the Stylus XZ-2 News Release.

The reason for the little shadow noise (image below) must be a small noise floor in the XZ-2, plus the SNR was high at ISO100. Shadow Noise, or the visibility of the noise floor, increases at ISO800. The size of the sensor is irrelevant when I use my camera. I am only thinking about the available light at the sensor, any Tone Curves I like to use, and optimizing the SNR of my image signal...

Olympus XZ-2 - ISO100, f4.0, 1/400 - ND filter ON.

6. Conclusion

Marketers mislead photographers with statements like "Workspace is just another raw converter." Why shouldn't we compare Workspace, Lightroom, ON1, and Capture One to Workspace? Because these Raw Converters cannot simulate your Olympus camera settings. It's not the first time Marketers used false information to distract photographers. Micro Four Third cameras are some of the most filtered products in 2023. How many photographers are familiar with the Color and Creative Strategy from Olympus and how Olympus showcased it with the E30, EM5 MKII, and Pen F?

Folks, we don't need ETTR for good results with M43 cameras. Knowledge gives us an overview of photography. Knowledge empowers photographers to improve their image quality, and knowledge is a light casting different perspectives on the misleading filters from marketers...

I am working on an article for the EM1 III and the Fuji XT-5. Do we compare only IQ, or should we do more? For example, while focus-stacking with my EM1 III, I tried computational ETTR techniques plus processing an 80MP High-Ressolution image in the camera. 

Considering this unique level of computational flexibility from my Olympus EM1 III, Workspace, and the Enhanced Raw Format, how should I plan a balanced and factual comparison between the EM1 III and something like the Fuji XT-5? Both these cameras are good but also radically different...

For more on Creative Color and Computational Photography, see this article.

Take care and God's Bless

Best

Siegfried

A few casual images while walking the dog...

The images below are from my Pen EP-3 and the 75mm f1.8 lens. I didn't do anything special for my camera settings. The images benefited from converting the Enhanced Raw Files in Workspace. I used the adjustments below on all the raw files and exported them as 16-bit Tiff files to Photoshop.

Older 12MP sensors have more noise (large noise floor) than newer M43 sensors. The skies were known for visible noise from these older cameras. The Noise Filter "Low" option was enough to clean the skies without losing details. It helps to manage older sensors with the SNR-to-ISO ratio.

These are my final post-processing steps in Photoshop:-

• I cropped the image for Instagram (4:5 ratio)
• I added a little contrast with Curves in Photoshop
• I sharpened with the High Pass Filter (setting = 1.6)
• Using a "Soft Light" blending mode on a duplicated layer

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/800.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/200.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/800.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/1000.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/500.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/160.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/640.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/160.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f14, 1/80.

Olympus EP-3 and 75mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f5.6, 1/400 (Action shot).