Screenshots with HDR enabled

[GODzilla]

Minor gripe as screenshots are definitely not my top priority and sometimes even get in the way of me actually playing a game. :D

Still wanna ask if someone found a way to take screenshots with HDR enabled. Because they all turn out completely washed out, and I tried three methods:

a) Screenshots via Steam overlay --> washed out
b) Screenshots via Nvidia Experience overlay --> washed out

and what I didn't expect, because this works in other games like The Division 2:

c) Screenshots via ingame Photomode --> washed out

So if even the internal tool cannot create normal SDR screenshots from HDR content then this probably means there is no way to get me proper screens.

Or is there?

[Will]

No because you need to understand how HDR works, the output image in terms of raw number is just washed out like that. Without a commonly accepted HDR image format, there won't be a way to take HDR screenshots that would look normal. Unless somebody specifically wrtes a routine to gamma correct the image, which isn't going to happen because it's so niche.

The only real way to do it is use the Nvidia Ansel thing, output to 16-bit TIF and then gamma correct it yourself with photoshop, and export to a regular SDR image.

[FreeToaster]

The Xbox game bar takes proper HDR screenshots.

[Milchschnitte]

Originally posted by FreeToaster:

The Xbox game bar takes proper HDR screenshots.

+1
Works well.

[wingback18]

a least for you they come washed out , for me i get a heat image type of deal

[GODzilla]

Originally posted by Will:

No because you need to understand how HDR works, the output image in terms of raw number is just washed out like that. Without a commonly accepted HDR image format, there won't be a way to take HDR screenshots that would look normal. Unless somebody specifically wrtes a routine to gamma correct the image, which isn't going to happen because it's so niche.

The only real way to do it is use the Nvidia Ansel thing, output to 16-bit TIF and then gamma correct it yourself with photoshop, and export to a regular SDR image.

I know that it's not that simple with HDR screenshots, yet other games tonemap it down to SDR with their ingame photo mode so it's probably not rocket-science and somethign one could expect from an ingame tool, imho. ;)

[GODzilla]

Well indeed the Xbox Game Bar works, but after some testing I disabled it.

While you can certainly turn off the notifications, my screen still flckers one (goes black, comes back) whenever I take a screenshot. Was worse with the notifications enabled, then it did this twice, once for showing the notification than another for it to go away lol.

I made sure to disable other overlays so they wont interfer, but the Xbox Game Bar does this all by itself. Seems at least as sophisticated as Microsofts Xbox Gameing App on pc (worse than the Epic Store imho) or their ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ DRM copy protection that encrypts the games so heavily, I cannot even hook my mouse / keyboard driver up to any Microsoft Store game.

It's rediculous and now I know the Xbox Game Bar is, too. ^^ Fits the whole theme I guess...

@moderators: Sorry for the swear-word.

[SplitCoreGaming]

I got a GC573 capture card. Can screen grab HDR or down sample to SD.
I am also sure Shadowplay does this, and Action!

[GODzilla]

Originally posted by SplitCoreGaming:

I got a GC573 capture card. Can screen grab HDR or down sample to SD.
I am also sure Shadowplay does this, and Action!

Shadowplay, as in Nvidia Experience? This is my standard screenshot tool and sadly it does not work and shows the same washed out screenshots.

[GODzilla]

Originally posted by Dr. Dro:

Special K can also export actual JPEG-XR HDR screenshots.

I see. I have been using it for some games, but I assumed he always special-built the program for these specific games. Has it become a general tool since then?

[GODzilla]

I totally missed that. Will check it out, thank's for the hint. :)

[someguy]

I've been getting around the washed out photomode by hitting the print screen key and then alt-tab out of the game and pasting it into a paint program (Paint.net). Works it's not ideal.

[GODzilla]

I fiddled with SpecialK a bit, but was unable to even make it's console appear ingame.

Then I tried Action!...I think I found my future screenshot tool. 30$ for the full version is a rather high price, but it's really effortless and can do even more if I want to. HDR screenshots are simply working right out the box. Nice.

PS: Was only around 20€ for private use, fair price imho.

[NaabiS]

Originally posted by FreeToaster:

The Xbox game bar takes proper HDR screenshots.

thanks didn't know

[someguy]

I just tried AMD's Relive, ctrl+shft+i. The screenshots come out too saturated.

[GODzilla]

It must be a bit up to the game I guess and they could've done better. Maybe a future update will change things. There are many other HDR games that either enable you to get proper screenshots via the integrated fotomode or via Nvidia Experience overlay and HZD doesn't work with either.

Funnily enough it also does this to its savegame thumbnails. They look as washed out in the savegame menu as the screenshots.

Anyway, I never even really liked Nvidia Experience, didn't use game settings or the driver download, and Action! works perfectly fine.