Abstract: A lighting simulation process for simulating the lighting of a subject at a location in a scene. Scene illumination data is created that specifies the illumination that the scene provides at the location at which the subject is to be simulated from a plurality of spatial directions. Subject illumination data is created that specifies the appearance of the subject when illuminated from a plurality of different spatial directions. The subject is then illuminated as if at the location in the scene by combing the scene illumination data with the subject illumination data.

Abstract: A method of placing an image of a synthetic object into a scene includes the step of establishing a recorded field of illumination that characterizes variable incident illumination in a scene. A desired position and orientation of a synthetic object is specified within the scene with respect to the recorded field of illumination. A varying field of illumination caused by the synthetic object is identified within the scene. Synthetic object reflectance caused by the synthetic object is simulated in the scene. The synthetic object is then constructed within the scene using the varying field of illumination and the synthetic object reflectance.

Abstract: An illumination reproduction apparatus and process for illuminating a subject with the illumination at a location in a scene when the subject is not in the scene. Scene illumination data is generated that specifies the illumination at the location in the scene from a plurality of spatial directions. The subject is then illuminated with the illumination at the location in the scene by driving a plurality of light sources surrounding the subject with the scene illumination data.

Abstract: A lighting simulation process for simulating the lighting of a subject at a location in a scene. Scene illumination data is created that specifies the illumination that the scene provides at the location at which the subject is to be simulated from a plurality of spatial directions. Subject illumination data is created that specifies the appearance of the subject when illuminated from a plurality of different spatial directions. The subject is then illuminated as if at the location in the scene by combing the scene illumination data with the subject illumination data.

Abstract: A high dynamic range image editing system for editing an image file having pixels spanning a first range of light intensity levels in an image editing system that only displays differences in the light intensity levels of pixels within a second range of light intensity levels that is less than the first range of light intensity levels, without reducing the range of light intensity levels in the image file.