Fix version consistency: Update all version references to 1.1.8

- Added robust _get_comfyui_output_directory() method with multiple fallbacks
- Improved path handling to support:
  - Empty string → default ComfyUI/output directory
  - Paths starting with '/' → subdirectories in output (e.g., /Test → output/Test)
  - Regular paths → absolute/relative custom paths
- Enhanced verification logging to show min/max range and file stats
- Added HDR pixel detection in input logging
- Updated tooltips to reflect new path behavior

Based on LinearEXRExport node improvements

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,7 +7,166 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [1.1.8] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Changed
+- **⚙️ Default exposure_adjust changed to 0.0** - No additional exposure adjustment by default
+  - Previous default: 1.0 (+1 stop brighter)
+  - New default: 0.0 (use automatic brightness compensation only)
+  - Applies to both 3-stop and 5-stop processors
+  - Users can still adjust manually if needed (+/- 5 stops range)
+
+## [1.1.7] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Changed
+- **🎨 Improved highlight/shadow mask generation** - Smoother, more gradual transitions
+  - **Wider threshold ranges**: Highlight masks start earlier (0.6 vs 0.7), cover more area
+  - **21×21 Gaussian smoothing**: Applied to all masks with sigma=7.0 for very gradual feathering
+  - **No image blurring**: Smooths the blending masks, not the image itself
+  - **Eliminates sharp cutoffs**: Gradual transitions prevent visible blend boundaries
+  - **Consistent across highlights and shadows**: Both use improved mask generation
+
+### Removed
+- **Removed HDR region post-processing blur** - Caused unwanted image blurring
+
+### Technical Details
+- Masks now use both wider Hermite interpolation ranges AND Gaussian smoothing
+- 21×21 kernel with sigma=7.0 creates very soft feathering (14 pixel transition zone)
+- Affects blending behavior, not final image sharpness
+
+## [1.1.6] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Changed
+- **🎨 HDR highlight post-processing** - Direct smoothing of HDR regions for grain reduction
+  - **Selective Gaussian blur**: Only affects pixels with values > 1.0 (HDR highlights)
+  - **9×9 kernel with sigma=2.0**: Effective grain reduction without over-blurring
+  - **Smooth transition mask**: 15×15 Gaussian feathering prevents hard edges between smoothed/unsmoothed regions
+  - **Preserves displayable range**: 0-1 values remain untouched (sharp EV0 base preserved)
+  - **Fixes**: Directly smooths the final HDR values that appear grainy when exposed down in Nuke
+
+### Technical Details
+- Post-processing applied after detail injection (more effective than pre-filtering sources)
+- Mask-based selective blending prevents affecting non-HDR regions
+- Addresses grain created during injection process, not just source noise
+
+## [1.1.5] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Added
+- **🎨 Bilateral filtering for grain reduction** - Smoother highlight details in Nuke/Resolve
+  - **Highlights (EV-2)**: 5x5 bilateral filter (sigmaColor=0.1, sigmaSpace=5)
+  - **Extreme highlights (EV-4)**: 7x7 bilateral filter (sigmaColor=0.15, sigmaSpace=7) - stronger smoothing
+  - **Shadows (EV+2/EV+4)**: 3x3 bilateral filter (sigmaColor=0.05, sigmaSpace=3) - light smoothing
+  - **Edge-preserving smoothing**: Reduces AI-generated grain without losing important detail
+  - **Fixes**: Highlights no longer appear grainy/sharp when exposed down in Nuke
+
+### Technical Details
+- Bilateral filtering applied to detail sources before injection
+- Preserves edges and important detail while removing noise
+- Stronger filtering for more underexposed images (more grain)
+- Maintains HDR range and color accuracy
+
+## [1.1.4] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Fixed
+- **🔆 Improved brightness compensation algorithm** - Better histogram distribution
+  - **Now uses median-based scaling** for very dark images (median < 0.05)
+  - **Uses mean-based scaling** for normal brightness images
+  - **More permissive adjustment range**: 0.3x to 8.0x (was 0.5x to 4.0x)
+  - **Better handling of shadow-heavy images** - prevents histogram crush to left
+  - **Fixes**: Histogram no longer compressed to shadows, better tonal distribution
+
+## [1.1.3] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Changed
+- **🎨 Detail Injection is now the DEFAULT algorithm** - Best results for AI-generated images
+- **Simplified output: Linear HDR only** - Removed sRGB display option
+  - Always outputs true linear HDR (perfect for EXR export)
+  - Linear data is correct format for professional color grading
+  - Preview may look contrasty in ComfyUI (this is expected and correct)
+- **Algorithm order updated**: detail_injection listed first in dropdown menu
+
+### Removed
+- **Removed `output_colorspace` parameter** - Streamlined interface, always linear HDR output
+
+## [1.1.2] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Added
+- **🎨 Output Colorspace Selection** - New parameter for all HDR processors
+  - **`srgb_display` (NEW DEFAULT)**: Tone-mapped output with Reinhard operator for natural preview in ComfyUI
+  - **`linear_hdr`**: True linear HDR output for EXR export (may look contrasty in preview)
+  - **Applies to all algorithms** - Consistent colorspace handling across radiance_fusion, detail_injection, etc.
+  - **Smart tone mapping**: Reinhard operator compresses HDR values >1.0 into displayable range
+  - **Preserves workflow flexibility**: Use sRGB for preview, linear for final EXR export
+
+### Changed
+- **Default output is now `srgb_display`** - Better out-of-box experience for ComfyUI users
+- **Linear output properly documented** - Clear warnings that linear HDR looks contrasty in preview
+
+## [1.1.1] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Fixed
+- **🚨 CRITICAL: Fixed inverted exposure adjustment formula** - Exposure adjustment was backwards!
+  - **Bug**: `+1.0` stop was darkening (0.5x) instead of brightening (2.0x)
+  - **Fix**: Removed negative sign from formula: `2^exposure_adjust` (was `2^(-exposure_adjust)`)
+  - **Impact**: All exposure adjustments now work correctly (positive = brighter, negative = darker)
+- **🔆 Fixed Detail Injection producing dark images** - Added automatic brightness compensation
+  - **Issue**: Output had mean 0.13 instead of target 0.18 (18% middle gray standard)
+  - **Solution**: Automatic brightness scaling targets 0.18 mean for proper exposure
+  - **Uses percentile-based mean** (middle 80%) for robustness against outliers
+  - **Clamped to 0.5x-4.0x range** to prevent over-correction
+  - **Preserves HDR values proportionally** while normalizing overall brightness
+
+## [1.1.0] - 2025-10-02
+
+### Added
+- **🎨 Detail Injection Algorithm** - Revolutionary AI-aware HDR processing for AI-generated exposure stacks
+  - **Automatic gamma analysis** - Detects sRGB gamma encoding (2.2) in AI-generated images
+  - **Proper sRGB to linear conversion** - Accurate color space transformation for HDR processing
+  - **Intelligent highlight detail injection**:
+    - Maps EV-2 (underexposed) detail into 1.0-2.0 HDR range for moderate highlights
+    - Maps EV-4 (very underexposed) detail into 2.0-4.0 HDR range for extreme highlights
+  - **Intelligent shadow detail injection**:
+    - Recovers shadow detail from EV+2 (overexposed) for moderate shadows
+    - Recovers deep shadow detail from EV+4 (very overexposed) for extreme shadows
+  - **Hermite interpolation** - Smooth S-curve blending prevents harsh transitions
+  - **Color preservation** - Maintains hue and color ratios using luminance-based scaling
+  - **EV0 as base** - Preserves natural appearance while extending dynamic range
+  - **Perfect for AI workflows** - Handles non-photometric AI-generated exposure stacks
+  - **Comprehensive logging** - Detailed step-by-step processing information
+  - **Supports both 3-stop and 5-stop processing** - Works with any exposure stack size
+
 ### Added  
+- **🆕 Latent Stack Processor (5 Stops)** - New node for averaging latent representations from 5 different exposures
+- **👑 Ultimate Quality-Aware Blending (NEW DEFAULT!)** - Merges Laplacian pyramid + enhanced quality metrics!
+  - **Combines the best of both technologies** - multi-scale decomposition + sophisticated quality analysis
+  - **4-level Laplacian pyramid decomposition** - separates frequency bands for optimal blending
+  - **Adaptive quality power per frequency level**:
+    - Level 0 (finest details): Power = 3.8x (very selective for edges like tree leaves)
+    - Level 1 (fine details): Power = 2.8x (highly selective)
+    - Level 2 (medium details): Power = 2.1x (selective)
+    - Level 3+ (coarse/smooth): Power = 1.7x (balanced for smooth areas)
+  - **Enhanced quality metrics with edge emphasis**:
+    - Contrast: 60% weight (edges/details prioritized)
+    - Saturation: 25% weight (color richness)
+    - Exposedness: 15% weight (well-exposed regions)
+  - **Completely eliminates ALL ghosting artifacts** - tree leaves perfectly sharp!
+  - **Seamless smooth area blending** - sky remains perfectly smooth
+  - **Professional production-ready results** matching top HDR software!
+- **⭐ Variance-Adaptive Blending** - Alternative approach with spatial smoothing
+  - Analyzes local variance across latents to detect problem areas
+  - 7x7 spatial smoothing prevents checkerboard patterns
+  - Adaptive per-pixel weighting based on variance analysis
+- **🎯 Six Professional Blend Modes** - Complete arsenal of blending strategies:
+  - `quality_aware`: Multi-scale pyramid + enhanced quality (NEW DEFAULT!) 👑
+  - `variance_adaptive`: Spatial smoothing with variance analysis
+  - `weighted_center`: Simple center-biased weighting
+  - `strong_center`: Maximum noise reduction approach
+  - `median_blend`: Outlier rejection for robustness
+  - `simple_average`: Equal weights for maximum range
+- **Detail Preservation Control** - New parameter (0.0-1.0) controls quality distinction sharpness (quality_aware) or artifact reduction strength (variance_adaptive)
+- **Center Bias Control** - Adjustable weighting (0.0-0.8) to balance noise vs dynamic range
+- **Fast latent processing** - Works with latent space instead of image space
+- **Direct latent manipulation** - Processes before VAE decode for efficiency
 - **NEW: Natural Blend Algorithm** - Now default! Preserves exact EV0 appearance with enhanced dynamic range
 - **Smart luminance masking** - Seamless highlight and shadow detail recovery
 

README.md

@@ -1,32 +1,50 @@
 # Luminance Stack Processor - ComfyUI Custom Nodes
 
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-1.0.5-blue.svg)](https://github.com/sumitchatterjee13/Luminance-Stack-Processor)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-1.1.8-blue.svg)](https://github.com/sumitchatterjee13/Luminance-Stack-Processor)
 [![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.11+-blue.svg)](https://python.org)
 [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-green.svg)](https://github.com/sumitchatterjee13/Luminance-Stack-Processor/blob/main/LICENSE)
 [![ComfyUI](https://img.shields.io/badge/ComfyUI-compatible-orange.svg)](https://github.com/comfyanonymous/ComfyUI)
 [![GitHub](https://img.shields.io/badge/GitHub-Repository-black.svg)](https://github.com/sumitchatterjee13/Luminance-Stack-Processor)
 
-Professional HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing nodes for ComfyUI featuring our **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** - a custom HDR processing method that delivers enhanced results through Nuke-inspired mathematical operations.
+HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing nodes for ComfyUI featuring **Detail Injection** algorithm (default) and **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** - custom HDR processing methods that work well for both AI-generated and real-world images.
 
-**Version: 1.0.5** | **Release Date: 2025-01-21**
+**Version: 1.1.8** | **Release Date: 2025-10-02**
 
 ## 🎯 Features
 
-- **🚀 RADIANCE FUSION ALGORITHM**: Our custom HDR algorithm developed in-house
-  - **Nuke-Inspired Mathematics**: Based on professional VFX pipeline operations (plus/average)
-  - **Enhanced HDR Preservation**: Maintains excellent dynamic range with natural appearance  
-  - **Improved Results**: Provides quality improvements over traditional methods
-  - **Professional VFX Quality**: Suitable for film, TV, and visual effects work
+- **🎨 DETAIL INJECTION ALGORITHM** *(DEFAULT since v1.1.3)*: AI-aware HDR processing
+  - **Good for AI-Generated Images**: Designed for AI exposure stacks
+  - **Default algorithm**: Provides good results out-of-the-box
+  - **Automatic Gamma Detection**: Analyzes and corrects sRGB gamma 2.2 encoding
+  - **Proper Linear Conversion**: Accurate sRGB to linear space transformation
+  - **Intelligent Highlight Recovery**: Maps underexposed image detail into >1.0 HDR range
+  - **Smart Shadow Recovery**: Injects overexposed detail into dark shadow regions
+  - **Automatic Brightness Compensation**: Targets professional 18% gray standard
+  - **Color Preservation**: Maintains hue using luminance-based scaling
+  - **Hermite Interpolation**: Smooth blending prevents harsh transitions
+  - **EV0 Base Preservation**: Keeps natural appearance while extending dynamic range
+  - **Linear HDR Output**: True HDR values for professional EXR export
+- **🚀 RADIANCE FUSION ALGORITHM**: Custom HDR algorithm
+  - **Nuke-Inspired Mathematics**: Based on VFX pipeline operations (plus/average)
+  - **HDR Preservation**: Maintains good dynamic range with natural appearance  
+  - **Alternative Results**: Provides different approach compared to traditional methods
+  - **For VFX Work**: Suitable for compositing workflows
 - **🆕 TRUE 32-bit EXR Export**: Professional bit-depth control with imageio integration
 - **🚨 TRUE HDR Values Above 1.0**: Proper HDR data preservation without normalization
+- **🔬 DEBEVEC WITH ADAPTIVE CALIBRATION** *(Experimental)*:
+  - **AI-Aware Calibration**: Analyzes and corrects exposure relationships for AI-generated images
+  - **Physically-Based Recovery**: True linear radiance output
+  - **Anti-Banding Filtering**: Subtle bilateral filtering reduces quantization artifacts
+  - **Exposure Compensation**: Built-in -8 stop default for proper viewing in Nuke/Resolve
+  - **For VFX Work**: Scene-referred linear data for compositing workflows
 - **Legacy HDR Algorithms** *(Work in Progress)*:
+  - **Robertson**: Alternative HDR method with adaptive calibration *(experimental)*
   - **Natural Blend**: EV0 appearance preservation *(under refinement)*
   - **Mertens**: Exposure fusion method *(being optimized)*
-  - **Debevec**: Traditional HDR recovery *(legacy support)*
-  - **Robertson**: Alternative HDR method *(legacy support)*
-- **Three Custom Nodes**:
-  - **3-Stop Processor**: Merges EV+2, EV+0, EV-2 exposures
-  - **5-Stop Processor**: Merges EV+4, EV+2, EV+0, EV-2, EV-4 exposures
+- **Four Custom Nodes**:
+  - **3-Stop Processor**: Merges EV+2, EV+0, EV-2 exposures (Image space)
+  - **5-Stop Processor**: Merges EV+4, EV+2, EV+0, EV-2, EV-4 exposures (Image space)
+  - **🆕 Latent Stack Processor**: Fast latent-space averaging for 5 exposures (Latent space)
   - **HDR Export**: Saves EXR files with preserved HDR data
 - **ComfyUI-Style Interface**: Filename and path inputs like built-in save nodes
 - **HDR Verification**: Automatic checking that HDR data is preserved in exports
@@ -35,7 +53,7 @@ Professional HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing nodes for ComfyUI featuring our
 
 ### HDR Processing Comparison
 
-See the dramatic difference our Radiance Fusion Algorithm makes in preserving detail across exposure ranges:
+See the difference the Radiance Fusion Algorithm makes in preserving detail across exposure ranges:
 
 #### Indoor Lighting Comparison
 ![Bulb Comparison](images/Bulb.jpg)
@@ -49,7 +67,204 @@ See the dramatic difference our Radiance Fusion Algorithm makes in preserving de
 ![Highlight Clamping Comparison](images/Reduce%20highlight%20clamping.jpg)
 *Demonstration of reduced highlight clamping - preserving bright details that would normally be lost*
 
-These comparison strips demonstrate how our HDR processing maintains detail in both highlights and shadows that would be lost in single-exposure captures.
+These comparison strips demonstrate how my HDR processing maintains detail in both highlights and shadows that would be lost in single-exposure captures.
+
+## 📖 Algorithm Explanation
+
+### 🎨 Detail Injection Algorithm (Default)
+
+**What makes Detail Injection different?**
+
+Unlike traditional HDR algorithms (Debevec, Robertson) that assume photometric relationships between exposures, **Detail Injection** is designed for **AI-generated exposure stacks** where images don't follow real-world physics.
+
+#### **The Problem It Solves:**
+
+AI-generated images simulate different exposures but don't have true photometric relationships:
+- Traditional HDR: `radiance_ev-2 = radiance_ev0 × 4` (physics-based)
+- AI-generated: Each exposure is **independently created** (no physics relationship)
+
+#### **How Detail Injection Works:**
+
+**Step 1: sRGB to Linear Conversion**
+- Detects sRGB gamma 2.2 encoding in AI images
+- Converts to linear light space using proper sRGB curve
+- Essential for physically accurate HDR calculations
+
+**Step 2: Highlight Detail Injection** ✨
+- **Problem**: EV0 highlights are clipped (pure white = 1.0)
+- **Solution**: Use detail from underexposed images (EV-2, EV-4)
+- **EV-2 detail → 1.0-2.0 HDR range** (moderate highlights)
+- **EV-4 detail → 2.0-4.0 HDR range** (extreme highlights)
+- Result: Bright areas have **recoverable detail** when you expose down in Nuke/Resolve
+
+**Step 3: Shadow Detail Injection** 🌑
+- **Problem**: EV0 shadows are crushed (pure black = 0.0)
+- **Solution**: Use detail from overexposed images (EV+2, EV+4)
+- **EV+2 detail → shadow recovery** (moderate shadows)
+- **EV+4 detail → deep shadow recovery** (extreme shadows)
+- Result: Dark areas have **liftable detail** when you brighten in post
+
+**Step 4: Automatic Brightness Compensation** 🎚️
+- Analyzes median/mean values
+- Targets **0.18 (18% gray)** - professional standard
+- Helps with proper exposure without manual adjustment
+- Uses 0.3x-8.0x range for correction capability
+
+**Step 5: Smooth Mask Transitions** 🎭
+- Hermite interpolation for S-curve blending
+- 21×21 Gaussian smoothing on masks (not image!)
+- Gradual feathering over wide tonal ranges
+- Helps reduce visible blend boundaries
+
+#### **Why Use Detail Injection?**
+
+✅ **For AI-Generated HDR Stacks**: Works with Flux, SD, MJ exposure variations  
+✅ **Natural EV0 Base**: Looks correct at middle exposure  
+✅ **True HDR Range**: Values >1.0 for color grading workflows  
+✅ **Automatic Exposure**: Helps with brightness adjustment  
+✅ **Smooth Blending**: Reduces harsh transitions and artifacts  
+✅ **Color Accuracy**: Maintains hue using luminance-based scaling  
+
+#### **When to Use Other Algorithms?**
+
+- **Debevec with Adaptive Calibration**: For VFX compositing with scene-referred linear data (AI or real exposures)
+- **Radiance Fusion**: When you want Nuke-style plus/average operations with display-ready output
+- **Robertson with Adaptive Calibration**: Alternative to Debevec for VFX work
+- **Mertens**: For quick preview/display-ready fusion without HDR math
+- **Natural Blend**: When you want to preserve exact EV0 appearance
+
+---
+
+### 🔬 Debevec with Adaptive Calibration (NEW!)
+
+**Adaptive approach to HDR recovery for AI-generated images!**
+
+Traditional Debevec algorithm assumes **photometric consistency** - that brightness relationships follow physics:
+```
+EV+2 image = 4x brighter than EV0
+EV-2 image = 4x darker than EV0
+```
+
+But **AI-generated images don't follow these rules!** Each exposure is independently created, leading to incorrect HDR reconstruction.
+
+#### **My Solution: Adaptive Exposure Calibration**
+
+I've developed a calibration system that **analyzes and corrects** the exposure relationships:
+
+**Step 1: Analyze Actual Brightness Relationships**
+```python
+# For each AI-generated bracket:
+1. Work in sRGB space (matching Debevec's input - NO linear conversion)
+2. Compare actual brightness vs EV0 reference
+3. Compute brightness ratios in well-exposed regions (0.2-0.8 luminance)
+4. Use median filtering to reject outliers
+```
+
+**Step 2: Compute Corrected Exposure Times**
+```python
+# Example: EV+4 image
+Nominal time:  0.267s  (16x longer than EV0 - what physics says)
+sRGB ratio:    2.064x  (AI made it 2.064x brighter in sRGB space)
+Time ratio:    4.924x  (apply ^1.8 power for AI gamma)
+Calibrated:    0.082s  (corrected time that matches AI's behavior)
+
+# The calibration tells Debevec:
+# "This bright image had a SHORTER exposure than expected"
+# So Debevec correctly interprets the scene radiance
+```
+
+**Step 3: Apply Debevec with Corrected Times**
+```python
+# Debevec now works correctly because:
+- Exposure times match actual brightness relationships
+- Camera response function accurately recovered
+- Linear radiance correctly reconstructed
+- No inverted tonality or broken highlights!
+```
+
+**Step 4: Anti-Banding Filter (Optional)**
+```python
+# Subtle bilateral filtering:
+- Reduces 8-bit quantization banding
+- Preserves edges (edge-aware filter)
+- Maintains HDR peaks (80%/20% blend)
+- Smooth gradients without blur
+```
+
+**Step 5: Exposure Compensation**
+```python
+# Default -8 stops (1/256 scale)
+- Brings output to proper viewing levels
+- Maintains relative dynamic range
+- Ready for Nuke/Resolve without manual adjustment
+```
+
+#### **Technical Details**
+
+**Calibration Algorithm:**
+- **Reference anchor**: EV0 defines absolute scale
+- **sRGB-space analysis**: Works in sRGB space (matching Debevec's input)
+- **AI-tuned gamma**: Applies ^1.8 power (gentler than theoretical ^2.2)
+- **Robust statistics**: Median ratios in 0.2-0.8 luminance range
+- **Preserves ratios**: Only corrects relative relationships, not overall scale
+- **Logging**: Detailed calibration report in console
+
+**Why It Works:**
+- Debevec's algorithm has 2 steps: estimate camera response, recover radiance
+- AI's "broken" exposure relationships = weird camera response curve
+- By adjusting exposure times, this approach tells Debevec about this "weird camera"
+- Debevec adapts and correctly recovers the scene's linear radiance!
+
+**When to Use Debevec:**
+- ✅ **VFX compositing in Nuke/After Effects** - Scene-referred linear data
+- ✅ **Color grading workflows** - Maximum flexibility for post-processing
+- ✅ **AI-generated brackets** - Adaptive calibration helps with non-physical exposures
+- ✅ **Real camera exposures** - Works for traditional bracketing too
+- ✅ **When you need physically-based radiance** - Linear radiance values
+
+**Parameters:**
+- `auto_calibrate`: Enable/disable adaptive calibration (default: True)
+- `debevec_exposure_comp`: Exposure compensation in stops (default: -8.0)
+- `debevec_anti_banding`: Enable subtle filtering (default: True)
+
+**Example Log Output:**
+```
+============================================================
+ADAPTIVE EXPOSURE CALIBRATION (sRGB SPACE)
+Analyzing AI-generated brackets as Debevec sees them
+============================================================
+Reference image (EV0): Index 2, Nominal time: 0.016667s
+Working in sRGB space (matching Debevec's input)
+
+Calibrating Image 0 (EV+4):
+  Valid pixels: 826228
+  sRGB brightness ratio: 2.064
+  Exposure time ratio (^1.8): 4.924
+  Expected time ratio: 16.000
+  Nominal time: 0.266667s → Calibrated time: 0.082071s
+  Adjustment factor: 0.308x
+
+[... calibration for other images ...]
+
+Debevec raw output: [0.010, 116377.52]
+Applied anti-banding filter...
+Applied exposure compensation: -8.0 stops (factor: 0.003906x)
+Debevec compensated output: [0.00004, 454.60]
+```
+
+**Result:** HDR recovery from AI-generated brackets with adaptive calibration.
+
+---
+
+### 🚀 Radiance Fusion Algorithm
+
+Nuke-inspired HDR blending using mathematical operations:
+- **Plus operation**: Adds all outer exposures
+- **Average operation**: Balances with center exposure  
+- **HDR preservation**: Maintains good dynamic range
+- **Good for**: VFX workflows familiar with Nuke-style operations
+
+---
 
 ## 📋 Requirements
 
@@ -98,26 +313,26 @@ These comparison strips demonstrate how our HDR processing maintains detail in b
 
 ## 📁 ComfyUI Workflow
 
-A complete example workflow for ComfyUI is provided in the `/workflow` directory. This demonstrates a good setup for HDR processing using our Radiance Fusion algorithm.
+A complete example workflow for ComfyUI is provided in the `/workflow` directory. This demonstrates a good setup for HDR processing using my Radiance Fusion algorithm.
 
 ### Example Workflow Setup
 ![ComfyUI Workflow](images/Comfyui%20workflow.jpg)
-*Complete ComfyUI workflow showing proper HDR processing setup with our custom nodes*
+*Complete ComfyUI workflow showing proper HDR processing setup with my custom nodes*
 
 ## 🎨 AI-Generated HDR from Single Images
 
-We've developed a complete workflow for creating HDR images from a single source image using **FLUX.1 Kontext exposure control LoRAs**:
+I've developed a complete workflow for creating HDR images from a single source image using **FLUX.1 Kontext exposure control LoRAs**:
 
 ### 🚀 **The Complete Pipeline:**
 
 1. **Start with any image** - Generated from any model or captured photo
-2. **Generate exposure variants** - Use our trained LoRAs to create EV-4, EV-2, EV0, EV+2, EV+4 versions
-3. **Process with Radiance Fusion** - Feed the synthetic exposures into our HDR nodes
+2. **Generate exposure variants** - Use my trained LoRAs to create EV-4, EV-2, EV0, EV+2, EV+4 versions
+3. **Process with Radiance Fusion** - Feed the synthetic exposures into my HDR nodes
 4. **Get professional HDR** - Output true 32-bit HDR images with enhanced dynamic range
 
 ### 📦 **Exposure Control LoRAs:**
 
-Our custom-trained LoRAs for **FLUX.1 Kontext (dev)** can generate different exposure levels from a single image:
+My custom-trained LoRAs for **FLUX.1 Kontext (dev)** can generate different exposure levels from a single image:
 
 - **Available LoRAs**: `ev-4`, `ev-2`, `ev+2`, `ev+4` (with corresponding trigger words)
 - **Easy to use**: Simply add the trigger word and adjust LoRA weight  
@@ -128,7 +343,7 @@ Our custom-trained LoRAs for **FLUX.1 Kontext (dev)** can generate different exp
 
 - ✅ **Single image input** - No need for multiple captures or bracketing
 - ✅ **AI-generated exposures** - Perfect synthetic exposure variants
-- ✅ **Professional HDR output** - True HDR with our Radiance Fusion processing
+- ✅ **Professional HDR output** - True HDR with my Radiance Fusion processing
 - ✅ **Complete automation** - Generate and process in one workflow
 - ✅ **Creative freedom** - Work with any generated or captured image
 
@@ -162,7 +377,7 @@ Perfect for standard HDR bracketing with 3 exposures:
 - `ev_minus_2`: Underexposed image (-2 EV)
 - `exposure_step`: (Optional) EV step size (default: 2.0)
 - `exposure_adjust`: (Optional) Nuke-style exposure compensation in stops (default: 1.0)
-- `hdr_algorithm`: Choose **"radiance_fusion"** (default - *our custom algorithm*), "natural_blend", "mertens", "debevec", "robertson"
+- `hdr_algorithm`: Choose **"radiance_fusion"** (default - *my custom algorithm*), "natural_blend", "mertens", "debevec", "robertson"
 
 **Output:**
 - `hdr_image`: HDR tensor with values potentially above 1.0
@@ -191,17 +406,118 @@ For extended dynamic range with 5 exposures:
 - `ev_minus_4`: Underexposed image (-4 EV)
 - `exposure_step`: (Optional) EV step size (default: 2.0)
 - `exposure_adjust`: (Optional) Nuke-style exposure compensation in stops (default: 1.0)
-- `hdr_algorithm`: Choose **"radiance_fusion"** (default - *our custom algorithm*), "natural_blend", "mertens", "debevec", "robertson"
+- `hdr_algorithm`: Choose **"radiance_fusion"** (default - *my custom algorithm*), "natural_blend", "mertens", "debevec", "robertson"
 
 **Output:**
 - `hdr_image`: HDR tensor with values potentially above 1.0
 
+### 🆕 Latent Stack Processor (5 Stops)
+
+**NEW!** Fast latent-space processing with **noise reduction**:
+
+**What it does:**
+- Performs weighted averaging of latent representations with multiple blend modes
+- Works directly in latent space (before VAE decode)
+- Faster than image-space processing
+- **Built-in noise reduction** through smart blending strategies
+- Ideal for diffusion model workflows
+
+**Inputs:**
+- `latent_1`: First exposure latent (e.g., EV+4)
+- `latent_2`: Second exposure latent (e.g., EV+2)
+- `latent_3`: Third exposure latent (e.g., EV0 - center exposure)
+- `latent_4`: Fourth exposure latent (e.g., EV-2)
+- `latent_5`: Fifth exposure latent (e.g., EV-4)
+- `blend_mode`: (Optional) Blending strategy - see below
+- `center_bias`: (Optional) 0.0-0.8, how much to favor center exposure (default: 0.4)
+
+**Output:**
+- `merged_latent`: Intelligently blended latent that can be decoded with VAE
+
+**🎯 Blend Modes (Noise & Artifact Reduction Strategies):**
+
+1. **`quality_aware`** 👑🏆 (Default)
+   - **Multi-scale Laplacian pyramid + enhanced quality metrics** - combines frequency decomposition with quality analysis
+   - **4-level pyramid decomposition** - separates fine details from smooth areas
+   - **Adaptive per-frequency blending**:
+     - Level 0 (finest details/tree leaves): Very selective (power = 3.8x with default settings)
+     - Level 1 (fine details): Highly selective (power = 2.8x)
+     - Level 2 (medium details): Selective (power = 2.1x)
+     - Level 3+ (coarse/smooth areas): Balanced (power = 1.7x)
+   - **Enhanced quality metrics with edge emphasis**:
+     - Contrast: 60% weight (edges/details prioritized)
+     - Saturation: 25% weight (color richness)
+     - Exposedness: 15% weight (well-exposed regions)
+   - **Result:** Tree leaves sharp, sky smooth, reduced artifacts!
+   - **Use when:** You want good results with reduced artifacts (DEFAULT!) 👑
+   - **Parameters:**
+     - `detail_preservation` (0.0-1.0, default 0.7): Controls selectivity sharpness
+     - `center_bias` (0.0-0.8, default 0.4): Boosts center exposure baseline quality
+
+2. **`variance_adaptive`** (Spatial Smoothing)
+   - **Intelligent artifact reduction** with spatial filtering
+   - Analyzes variance across latents to detect problem areas
+   - **High-variance areas** (e.g., inconsistent details): Favors center exposure
+   - **Low-variance areas** (e.g., smooth regions): Uses full dynamic range blending
+   - Adaptive weights with 7x7 spatial smoothing to prevent checkerboard
+   - **Use when:** Alternative approach, good for specific cases
+
+3. **`weighted_center`** (Simple Balance)
+   - Favors the center exposure (EV0) which typically has least noise
+   - Weights: [0.075, 0.1, 0.7, 0.1, 0.075] with default `center_bias=0.4`
+   - **Good balance** of dynamic range and noise reduction
+   - **Use when:** You want simpler processing without adaptive analysis
+
+4. **`strong_center`** (Maximum Noise Reduction)
+   - Heavily favors center exposure for maximum noise reduction
+   - Weights: [0.025, 0.075, 0.8, 0.075, 0.025] with default `center_bias=0.4`
+   - Cleanest output but less dynamic range expansion
+   - **Use when:** Noise is more problematic than dynamic range
+
+5. **`median_blend`** (Outlier Rejection)
+   - Excludes outliers (min/max values) per pixel
+   - Averages middle 3 values: `(sorted[1] + sorted[2] + sorted[3]) / 3`
+   - Excellent noise reduction while preserving detail
+   - **Use when:** You have very noisy latents or want robust averaging
+
+6. **`simple_average`** (Maximum Dynamic Range)
+   - Equal weights: `(L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 + L5) / 5`
+   - Maximum dynamic range but most noise and artifacts
+   - **Use when:** Input latents are already clean
+
+**💡 Artifact & Noise Reduction Tips:**
+- **Use `quality_aware`** (DEFAULT) 👑 - multi-scale solution with enhanced quality metrics
+- **For tree leaf ghosting**: Multi-scale pyramid helps reduce this - finest details use highest power selectivity
+- **Default settings work well** - adaptive quality power per frequency handles most cases
+- **Optional tuning:**
+  - Increase `detail_preservation` (0.8-0.9) for even sharper edge distinction on finest details
+  - Increase `center_bias` (0.5-0.7) to boost center exposure baseline quality across all levels
+- **The center exposure (latent_3/EV0) should be your best quality image** - this is crucial!
+
+**When to use:**
+- When working with latent representations from VAE encode
+- For faster processing without decoding to image space
+- When you want to merge multiple exposure latents before final decode
+- In AI-generated HDR workflows using my FLUX.1 Kontext LoRAs
+- When you need noise reduction in latent space
+
+**Workflow Example:**
+1. Encode 5 exposure images to latents using VAE Encode
+2. Connect all 5 latents to Latent Stack Processor
+3. Use default `quality_aware` mode (ultimate solution!) 👑
+4. Default settings work perfectly - multi-scale pyramid with adaptive quality per frequency
+5. Optional fine-tuning (rarely needed):
+   - Increase `detail_preservation` (0.8-0.9) for even sharper edge selectivity
+   - Increase `center_bias` (0.5-0.7) to boost center exposure across all pyramid levels
+6. Decode the merged latent with VAE Decode
+7. Enjoy **good results** - tree leaves sharp, sky smooth, reduced artifacts!
+
 ### 📋 **Complete HDR Workflow Example:**
 
 1. **Load Images**: Load your bracketed exposures (3 or 5 images)
 2. **Add Processing Node**: "Luminance Stack Processor (3/5 Stops)"
 3. **Connect Exposures**: Connect each EV image to corresponding input
-4. **Choose Algorithm**: Select HDR algorithm (**Radiance Fusion recommended - our custom algorithm**)
+4. **Choose Algorithm**: Select HDR algorithm (**Radiance Fusion recommended - custom algorithm**)
 5. **Add Export Node**: "HDR Export to EXR" 
 6. **Connect HDR Output**: From processor to export node
 7. **Set Filename**: Enter desired filename prefix
@@ -210,23 +526,45 @@ For extended dynamic range with 5 exposures:
 
 ## 🔬 How It Works
 
-The nodes feature our **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** as the default, plus traditional algorithms for compatibility:
+The nodes feature the **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** as the default, plus traditional algorithms for compatibility:
 
 1. **Takes Multiple Exposures**: Input 3 or 5 bracketed exposure images (EV-4 to EV+4)
-2. **Selects HDR Algorithm**: Choose **Radiance Fusion** (our custom algorithm) or traditional methods
+2. **Selects HDR Algorithm**: Choose **Radiance Fusion** (custom algorithm) or traditional methods
 3. **Processes HDR Data**: Merges exposures using advanced mathematical operations preserving full dynamic range
 4. **Outputs HDR Tensor**: True linear HDR data with professional 32-bit precision
 5. **🚨 CRITICAL: Use HDR Export Node**: Exports professional 32-bit EXR files with preserved HDR values
 
 ### 🎯 **HDR Algorithm Options:**
 
-#### **🚀 Radiance Fusion (Default - Our Custom Algorithm)**  
+#### **🚀 Radiance Fusion (Default - Custom Algorithm)**  
 - **📈 HDR Range**: Wide dynamic range with good preservation
-- **🧮 Advanced Mathematics**: Nuke-inspired plus/average operations for enhanced results
-- **🎬 Professional Quality**: VFX-grade HDR processing with natural appearance
-- **⚡ Good Performance**: Well-balanced dynamic range and visual appeal
-- **🔬 In-House Development**: Our custom algorithm with improvements over traditional methods
-- **💎 Quality Focus**: Enhanced compared to standard HDR techniques
+- **🧮 Mathematics**: Nuke-inspired plus/average operations
+- **🎬 Quality**: VFX-oriented HDR processing with natural appearance
+- **⚡ Performance**: Well-balanced dynamic range and visual appeal
+- **🔬 Custom Development**: Custom algorithm with improvements over traditional methods
+- **💎 Quality Focus**: Enhanced compared to standard techniques
+
+---
+
+#### **🔬 Debevec with Adaptive Calibration** *(Experimental)*
+- **Status**: Functional with AI-aware calibration
+- **HDR Range**: Raw linear radiance (0 to 8000+ values)
+- **Purpose**: Scene-referred linear radiance for VFX workflows
+- **Best For**: 
+  - VFX compositing in Nuke/After Effects
+  - Color grading workflows
+  - AI-generated exposure brackets (adaptive calibration)
+  - Real camera exposures (traditional bracketing)
+- **Features**:
+  - Automatic exposure time calibration for AI images
+  - Anti-banding bilateral filtering
+  - Built-in exposure compensation (-8 stops default)
+  - Detailed calibration logging
+
+#### **⚙️ Robertson with Adaptive Calibration** *(Experimental)*
+- **Status**: Alternative to Debevec with same calibration
+- **HDR Range**: Raw linear radiance
+- **Purpose**: Alternative HDR recovery method with calibration
 
 ---
 
@@ -242,16 +580,6 @@ The nodes feature our **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** as the default, plus traditi
 - **HDR Range**: 1-12 (medium HDR values)
 - **Purpose**: Traditional exposure fusion method
 
-#### **Debevec Algorithm** *(Legacy Support)*
-- **Status**: Maintained for compatibility
-- **HDR Range**: Raw linear radiance (VFX standard)
-- **Purpose**: Traditional HDR recovery (1997 method)
-
-#### **Robertson Algorithm** *(Legacy Support)*
-- **Status**: Maintained for compatibility
-- **HDR Range**: Raw linear radiance (VFX standard)
-- **Purpose**: Alternative traditional HDR method
-
 ## 📸 Best Practices
 
 ### For Capturing Source Images (Traditional Method):
@@ -263,7 +591,7 @@ The nodes feature our **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** as the default, plus traditi
 
 ### For AI-Generated Exposures (Modern Workflow):
 - Start with **any single image** (generated or captured)
-- Use our **FLUX.1 Kontext LoRAs** to create exposure variants
+- Use my **FLUX.1 Kontext LoRAs** to create exposure variants
 - Download LoRAs: [Flux-Kontext-exposure-control-LoRAs](https://huggingface.co/Sumitc13/Flux-Kontext-exposure-control-LoRAs)
 - Generate **ev-4, ev-2, ev+2, ev+4** variants using trigger words
 - **Perfect alignment** - AI ensures consistent composition
@@ -276,7 +604,7 @@ The nodes feature our **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** as the default, plus traditi
 - **5-Stop**: +4, +2, 0, -2, -4 EV (16x range)
 - Adjust `exposure_step` parameter if using different increments
 
-#### AI-Generated (Using Our LoRAs):
+#### AI-Generated (Using My LoRAs):
 - **Base image**: Your source image (acts as EV 0)
 - **Generate variants**: Use `ev-4`, `ev-2`, `ev+2`, `ev+4` LoRAs with trigger words
 - **Perfect range**: Covers full 8-stop dynamic range
@@ -284,24 +612,51 @@ The nodes feature our **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** as the default, plus traditi
 
 ### Algorithm Selection Guide:
 
-#### 🎬 **For VFX/Post-Production:**
-- **🚀 Radiance Fusion** (Recommended): Our custom algorithm - good for professional work
-- **🔬 Debevec** *(Legacy)*: Traditional raw radiance method
-- **⚙️ Robertson** *(Legacy)*: Alternative traditional method
+#### 🎬 **For VFX/Post-Production (Scene-Referred Linear):**
+- **🔬 Debevec with Adaptive Calibration** *(Experimental)*: AI-aware calibration for non-physical exposures
+  - For Nuke/After Effects compositing workflows
+  - Works with both AI-generated and real camera exposures
+  - Includes anti-banding and exposure compensation
+  - Outputs true linear radiance (flat/desaturated is correct!)
+- **⚙️ Robertson with Adaptive Calibration** *(Experimental)*: Alternative to Debevec with same features
+- **🚀 Radiance Fusion**: Nuke-style operations with more display-friendly output
 
-#### 🎨 **For Photography/Display:**
-- **🚀 Radiance Fusion** (Recommended): Our custom algorithm - enhanced quality
+#### 🎨 **For Photography/Display (Display-Referred):**
+- **🎨 Detail Injection** (Default): Good for AI-generated images with natural appearance
+  - Automatic brightness compensation
+  - Display-ready output
+  - True HDR values with smooth blending
+- **🚀 Radiance Fusion**: Good quality with decent dynamic range
 - **🌟 Natural Blend** *(Work in Progress)*: Being optimized for better results
 - **💫 Mertens** *(Work in Progress)*: Traditional method under improvement
 
 #### 💡 **Important:** 
 - **VFX Algorithms** (Debevec/Robertson): Flat, desaturated appearance - **this is professional standard!**
-- **Display Algorithms** (Natural Blend/Mertens): Enhanced, natural-looking, ready for viewing
+  - Raw linear radiance for compositing and grading
+  - Apply viewing LUTs in Nuke/Resolve for proper display
+- **Display Algorithms** (Detail Injection/Radiance Fusion): Enhanced, natural-looking, ready for viewing
+  - Automatic tone mapping and exposure compensation
+  - Great for final output or quick previews
 
 ## ⚙️ Technical Details
 
-- **Primary Algorithm**: **Radiance Fusion** - Our custom HDR processing method
-- **Legacy Algorithms**: Natural Blend, Mertens, Debevec, Robertson *(work in progress)*
+- **Production Algorithms**: 
+  - **Detail Injection** (Default): AI-aware HDR with automatic brightness compensation
+  - **Radiance Fusion**: Custom Nuke-style HDR algorithm  
+  - **Debevec with Adaptive Calibration**: VFX-grade scene-referred linear radiance
+  - **Robertson with Adaptive Calibration**: Alternative VFX HDR recovery
+- **Adaptive Calibration System**:
+  - Automatic analysis of AI-generated exposure relationships
+  - sRGB-space analysis (matching Debevec's input)
+  - AI-tuned gamma correction (^1.8 power for AI images)
+  - Robust brightness ratio computation using median filtering
+  - EV0-anchored exposure time correction
+  - Detailed calibration logging for transparency
+- **Anti-Banding Technology**:
+  - Edge-aware bilateral filtering (5x5 kernel)
+  - Preserves HDR peaks (80%/20% blend)
+  - Reduces 8-bit quantization artifacts
+- **Legacy Algorithms**: Natural Blend, Mertens *(work in progress)*
 - **Input Format**: 8-bit ComfyUI IMAGE tensors (standard ComfyUI format)
 - **Output Format**: True 32-bit linear HDR with unlimited dynamic range
 - **Processing**: Advanced mathematical operations + OpenCV integration
@@ -329,7 +684,7 @@ The nodes feature our **Radiance Fusion Algorithm** as the default, plus traditi
    - Ensure input images are properly exposed (not all over/under)
    - Check that images are aligned (use tripod)  
    - Verify EV differences match your capture method
-   - **Recommended**: Use Radiance Fusion (our custom algorithm) for good results
+   - **Recommended**: Use Radiance Fusion (my custom algorithm) for good results
    - **Legacy algorithms**: Available for compatibility but under active improvement
 
 5. **Memory issues**:
@@ -398,7 +753,7 @@ luminance-stack-processor/
 - **Debevec, P. E., & Malik, J.** (1997). Recovering high dynamic range radiance maps from photographs. *ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics*, 31(Annual Conference Series), 367-378.
 - **OpenCV HDR Documentation**: https://docs.opencv.org/4.x/d3/db7/tutorial_hdr_imaging.html
 - **ComfyUI Custom Node Guidelines**: https://docs.comfy.org/custom-nodes/
-- **Our FLUX.1 Kontext Exposure LoRAs**: [Flux-Kontext-exposure-control-LoRAs](https://huggingface.co/Sumitc13/Flux-Kontext-exposure-control-LoRAs)
+- **My FLUX.1 Kontext Exposure LoRAs**: [Flux-Kontext-exposure-control-LoRAs](https://huggingface.co/Sumitc13/Flux-Kontext-exposure-control-LoRAs)
 - **Semantic Versioning**: https://semver.org/
 
 ## 📜 License
@@ -416,7 +771,7 @@ For issues, questions, or contributions:
 - Ensure all dependencies are properly installed
 
 ### Contributing
-We welcome contributions! Please:
+I welcome contributions! Please:
 1. Fork the repository
 2. Create a feature branch (`git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature`)
 3. Commit your changes (`git commit -m 'Add some amazing feature'`)
@@ -425,4 +780,4 @@ We welcome contributions! Please:
 
 ---
 
-**Happy HDR Processing with Radiance Fusion!** 🚀✨ | **Version 1.0.5** | **Featuring Our Custom Algorithm**
+**Happy HDR Processing with Radiance Fusion!** 🚀✨ | **Version 1.1.8** | **Featuring Custom Algorithm**

__init__.py

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Installation:
 3. Restart ComfyUI
 
 Author: Sumit Chatterjee
-Version: 1.0.5
+Version: 1.1.8
 License: MIT
 """
 
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ try:
     from .luminance_stack_processor import (
         LuminanceStackProcessor3Stops,
         LuminanceStackProcessor5Stops,
+        LatentStackProcessor5Stops,
         NODE_CLASS_MAPPINGS as NODES,
         NODE_DISPLAY_NAME_MAPPINGS as DISPLAY_NAMES
     )

pyproject.toml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [project]
 name = "luminance-stack-processor"
-version = "1.0.5"
+version = "1.1.8"
 description = "Professional HDR processing nodes for ComfyUI using the Debevec Algorithm"
 readme = "README.md"
 license = { text = "MIT" }
@@ -72,13 +72,13 @@ include = ["luminance_stack_processor*"]
 [tool.comfy]
 name = "luminance-stack-processor"
 description = "Professional HDR processing nodes for ComfyUI using the Debevec Algorithm"
-version = "1.0.5"
+version = "1.1.8"
 author = "Sumit Chatterjee"
 license = "MIT"
 
 # Version management
 [tool.bumpversion]
-current_version = "1.0.5"
+current_version = "1.1.8"
 parse = "(?P<major>\\d+)\\.(?P<minor>\\d+)\\.(?P<patch>\\d+)"
 serialize = ["{major}.{minor}.{patch}"]
 search = "{current_version}"

version.py

@@ -2,16 +2,16 @@
 Version information for Luminance Stack Processor
 """
 
-__version__ = "1.0.5"
-__version_info__ = (1, 0, 5)
+__version__ = "1.1.8"
+__version_info__ = (1, 1, 8)
 
 # Semantic versioning components
 MAJOR = 1
-MINOR = 0
-PATCH = 5
+MINOR = 1
+PATCH = 8
 
 # Build metadata
-BUILD_DATE = "2025-01-20"
+BUILD_DATE = "2025-10-02"
 AUTHOR = "Sumit Chatterjee"
 DESCRIPTION = "Professional HDR processing nodes using the Debevec Algorithm"