Draft:Dehancer

Dehancer is a color grading software product that specializes in film emulation. The product is available as a plugin for photo and video editors, as well as an application for iPhone. The software is developed by Dehanсer LTD, a company registered in the UK.

Early history
Dehancer released its first product in October 2014. It was a Photoshop action humorously named The Degrader (short for "degradation") and it reproduced typical image processing operations. This action essentially deteriorated the images - distorting colors, cutting off shadows, lowering saturation, thereby making them aesthetically more appealing.

With its increasing popularity, version 2.0 was released, which added options for precise toning to correct auto white balance correction errors.The first comprehensive application was Degradr for iPhone, released in June 2015. It functioned as a "smart camera" that processed images. Technically, this was a development of the ideas of the Photoshop action, using more complex algorithms and working in real time - increasing contrast, decreasing saturation, auto white balance. The application allowed users to create film look images.

Image processing was completely automatic, but it could be influenced by the composition of the frame. Different angles and layouts, including or excluding an object of a certain color, led to different results. A more expressive color and contrast could have been achieved with a more thoughtful composition.

In addition to image processing functions, Degradr also enabled users to share images on social networks.

Subsequently, development began on a new version of the application. Degradr 2 aimed to be a complete overhaul of previous versions. Improvements were necessary in the usability and design of the application, as well as in the mathematical models and algorithms. The main goal was to imbue images with the look and aesthetics of real film, complete with all its characteristics - grain, bloom, halation, contrast etc. To achieve this, it was necessary to develop a new sampling system.

Developing the next version took about five years. The choice of technology for the project's core was critical. Working with real film required a laboratory, which was challenging to find because, by the mid-2010s, photographic film was experiencing difficulties. Due to rising film prices and the increasing popularity of digital cameras, processing and printing images from analog media was becoming an increasingly untenable business. Handling film became a pursuit for film studios and enthusiasts.

SREDA film laboratory was selected for conducting the research. It specialized in processing, cutting, and repackaging photographic film (their own SFL brand) and had all the necessary equipment and specialists to support exotic processes.

At this stage, the company was developing its proprietary engineering software for creating profiles, which involved experiments with shooting color targets on film, followed by developing, optical printing onto black-and-white and color photographic paper and scanning.

The first commercial product, Dehancer OFX 1.0 plugin for DaVinci Resolve, was released on January 15, 2020. From that point onward, the company began to assume its current shape.

Technology
Dehancer’s film emulation technique is founded on the principle of interpreting the image as composed of grains — just as in real film, where the image is stored in a layer of photographic emulsion.

When photographing with real film, silver halide crystals react to light, either darkening or leaving parts of the image light. Different grain sizes, reflections from the camera or the film itself, and other artifacts — all contribute to a distinct film aesthetic that is unique and unmistakable.

Dehancer breaks down the processed image into grains and then reconstructs it according to the selected film profile, based on a microcontrast map.

For greater authenticity, film scanners were not utilized; instead, direct optical printing onto analog media was employed. The film was shot in three variations — normal exposure, underexposed and overexposed — to fully replicate the conditions of film. This is the only method to accurately interpret the negative and achieve the color rendition intended by the film manufacturer.

To create specific profiles, the characteristics of historical films, such as Kodak Portra 160 or Agfa Agfacolor 100, were examined, and models were developed.

The adoption of presets has grown increasingly popular as film production diminishes and the cost of maintaining analog equipment escalates.

Products
The software is offered as a plugin for the most popular photo and video editors, including: DaVinci Resolve, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premier, Final Cut, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Capture One, Affinity and as a mobile application for smartphones.

Dehancer: Color Grading


Image processing application for iPhone, launched in October 2022. It includes customizable tools for halation, bloom, film grain, and vignette, as well as numerous historical film profiles, built-in and custom presets. This allows users to process photos and videos, giving them the appearance of authentic analog images.

This application also features animated effects that bring videos to life by making small image shifts between adjacent frames, imitating the behavior of real film and film damage artifacts.

Dehancer Online
The tool is a simplified version of Dehancer's main functions. While the desktop version of the software involves many fine adjustments in image processing, Dehancer Online allows the user to select a preset and a suitable image option from a set of print proofs. The application immediately offers many options for brightness, contrast, and exposure. Additionally, film effects are available in a simplified version, including grain, halation, and bloom.

Unlike other Dehancer tools that have high system requirements, Dehancer Online runs in a browser and requires a stable Internet connection to work.

Dehancer Colourist Awards
In September 2023, Dehancer announced an international competition for colorists. Participants will have the opportunity to be nominated in five categories: feature film, short film, documentary, music video, and mobile video (shot on mobile).

Winners will be announced on March 18, 2024. Winning work will be featured in the company’s social media, which reaches nearly 30,000 industry professionals.

Media produced using

 * FKB, Color Blind (Official Music Video) // November 17, 2023
 * Stefano Federici, Things to do in Berlin | Fujifilm X-H2S | F-Log 2 | 6K Open Gate | Dehancer Pro 2.0 // September 18, 2023
 * Badshah, Gone Girl (लड़की ख़राब) | Official Music Video // August 8, 2023
 * Lilla Sol, Endless Summer (Official Video) // July 28, 2023
 * Shadow Cliq, Say my name! [Official Music Video] // July 15, 2023
 * Sergio Lorenzana, From dust // July 13, 2023
 * Gabriel Andre, Wake up with the Sun // June 6, 2023
 * Codefendants feat. The DOC, Fast Ones (Official Music Video) // March 9, 2023
 * Guto Brant, Mal & Bem (Clipe Oficial) // October 20, 2022
 * Dirty Backseat, Lonely Night // October 21, 2022