Help Center

Yes, currently the max. sizes for most Dutch Skies 360° HDR are the Dutch Skies 360° XL's those are 19k. If you might need a bigger HDR ( 25/30k or higher ) with horizon retouch just contact ( at the bottom of this FAQ/Help Center ) for the possibilities. In the future all current 19k versions will also have 30k (or higher) versions plus bottom retouch.

- Preview Sessions Catalog containing more then 2700 never published skies

- 30k Skies or even more possible

- High Quality 32 bpc Full Float EXR’s

- Flexible License options

- Option to buy all rights of specific skies

More info please see here

Inquiries

Inquiries can be sended through the contact form on the bottom of this FAQ page. Please use your real name and company name so we will be able to process your mail. 

There is a option for Contract Work regarding ( custom made for movies, games, advertisement etc ) Dutch Skies 360° HDR’s.

From 1 August 2019 some changes in the License structure. Another update was made on 28 April 2021 ( removal of Royalty Free Licenses and some other changes ).

!!! Important to mention is that previous agreements are not effected !!!

A example question from a client can be seen here.

Below you can find the new license for every product.

Non-Commercial Usage

The basic free HDR's are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License when using those in Non-Commercial projects.

Commercial Usage

A commercial version costs 9,99 Euro for 10/11k HDR *), 19,99 Euro for 19/20k HDR & 29,99 Euro for 30k HDR for each project. Usage in another project would require a new License. Example - you are designing a Archviz project for a client then you need one license for the whole project. To clarify it some more: you can use it for for everything you want to use it for like interior, exterior renders, VR render for client etc. only the license is valid for the specific project.

For any other cases like usage in games , movies, in-app usage ( so the image(s) will be redistributed by a third party ), media campaigns ( print, internet, television, bill boards etc. ) etc. just ask for the terms ( depends on the type of project )

If you want to use it in Educational, Open Source & Indy projects just contact, we most likely can arrange something that will benefit both sides.

*) 

If you want to use a HDR from one of the Volumes more then once in another commercial project you need a extra License for each different project. This ( buying a single image )option can be more more affordable then buying a complete Volume again. It can be ordered here.

20210428 v6

More info about the Dutch Skies 360° HDR Project please see here. The official Dutch Skies 360° HDR - Limited or Exclusive Edition Prints page can be seen here. For the product order page see here.

The Wall Prints are made by the company Whitewall. The final High Quality print - you will recieve after ordering -  has the size 90 x 30 cm. The wall mount is included. More info can be seen on the Whitewall's Ultra HD product page

ultraHD Photo Print

When it comes to preventing halftone in your prints, no printing technique is better than classic exposure on light-sensitive photo paper. In order to make the technological improvements of modern cameras visible in your photos, we continued to refine this process until we revolutionized classic photo developing with our first generation of ultraHD Photo Prints. To continue to do your pictures justice, we are now taking the realism to the next level. The experts at Fujifilm conceived a new photo paper finely tuned for our printing process. Fuji Crystal Professional Archive Maxima Paper was made for our ultraHD Photo Prints.

* Over 10% more maximum density for deeper black with finer details
* 21% more color space volume for more vivid and saturated colours
* Markedly improved light resistance for longer-lasting luminosity

Extra notes:

* Important: Viewing experience can differ due light conditions of the environment.

* The purchase cost regarding the 90 x 30 cm print is about 200 Euro, that's why total sales price is higher then originally planned.

Price

The price for a Dutch Skies 360° HDR - Limited Edition Print is 799,99 Euro ( incl.handling, excl. Shipping & excl. 9% VAT ).

Shipping costs

The shipping cost vary a lot due to the package size and other things. Always search the best price possible ( is not a "money making cash machine" for me ).

Within the EU

The shipping price depends on the EU country you live.

Outside the EU

The following countries outside the EU have accurate shipping costs: USA, Canada, Norway, Swiss & Mongolië.

For the moment have all other countries set the shipping price set at 1000 Euro. Yes aware that's totally wicked extreme high please see below for a solution.

Why is international shipping outside the EU so extreme expensive?

Its a "save" starting price so cannot make a miscalculation. For a accurate shipping prices need to know what country you are living. After I know your country can figure out the best price. Knowing the exact price for your specific country will add your country to the backoffice of this online shop so you can order ( or someone else ) from the same country will have the better price too. The thing is that I have to do it manually and so it way to complicated ( time consuming ) to do the research regarding finding the best shipping price for all countries outside the EU.

So If you want to order please contact me at the bottom of this FAQ page. Most likely can arrange ( much ) better shipping price.


Other reasons for a higher price is the fact that the Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Exclusive & Limited Editions Prints need of a special sending big package &  special customs paper need to be included too.

Example: when someone from Mongolië would order the wall print then it would cost be about 600 euro shipping cost. Well that would financially hurt me hard as you most likely will understand. That's why have set the shipping price much higher just to be sure because have the idea there will be countries that might have higher shipping costs then Mongolië.

IMPORTANT:

Be sure to double check the address where the Wall Print should be send too. Only a small error can cause a later arrival or even a failed delivery. If the delivery is failed due to a address error from the client then the extra costs will be for the client.

Tracking number

Right after the package is sended you will receive a tracking number.

Delivery time for all orders

The delivery an take up to about 4 weeks. This is due not having any stock available at the office. After ordering a new wall print will be made.

The following payment systems are excepted in this store:

iDEAL, Visa, Paypal, Mastercard, Maestro, Shopify Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, American Express

The first Dutch Skies 360° HDR - Limited Edition Print - 001 is not on stock here at the office. After ordering the print will be ordered at Whitewall ( more info please see see here. ) and so it can take about 4 weeks until it arrives at the address you gave during ordering.

Its not clear what the next Dutch Skies 360° HDR - Limited Edition Print - 002 will be published.

If you are interested in buying a Dutch Skies 360° HDR - Exclusive Edition Print feel free to send a message through the contact form on the bottom of this page.

Please note that production time of either a new Dutch Skies 360° HDR - Limited Edition Print or a Dutch Skies 360° HDR - Exclusive Edition Print can take two months.

Its possible to send the Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Limited or Exclusive Edition Print as a gift/ present.

Just send a request through the contact form on the bottom of this page. We then can discuss the details.

Please keep in mind that the shipping time can be about 4 weeks ( a Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Exclusive Edition Print even longer ).

Well that's how you look at it. For the tax law here in the Netherlands is considered as art *) due to the Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Limited Edition Print's of max 25 pieces. Same thing for the Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Exclusive Edition Print's there will be only 1 so the tax law says its art too.

*) thats why the VAT is 9% instead of 21%

Personally not see it as art but simply as a kind of creation nothing more ( like with all the other things here on this website ).

Asked my lawyer Els Doornhein from de Vos & Partners. ( who made the Royalty-Free License agreement for the Dutch Skies HDRI 11k images ) if its possible to add a kind of disclosure that forbids clients selling a exclusive or limited print for a higher price then the original price I sold it. Well legally that was not possible but at least tried it.

Made 33 years ago *) a kind of statement about art and the madness that goes with the art industry.  It was ( when not mistaking ) after the sale of a van Gogh painting for a ridiculous amount. Guess it does not need any further explanation, please see image below.

*) think my age was about 17 years ( currently feeling 16 wow how fast times flies by ;) )

Bob

20191006

No extra Artist Proofs ( AP ) prints will be made for the Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Exclusive & Limited Editions Prints.

So maximum of 25 prints means maximum 25 no more when speaking of the Dutch Skies 360° HDRI -  Limited Editions Prints. Same for the Dutch Skies 360° HDRI -  Exclusive Editions Prints: 1 means just 1 maximum.

Its not on the bucket list here to have a exhibition or whatever. These prints should hang on the walls in houses etc. not in a gallery.

ps if I would create also Artist Proofs then would call it Creator Proofs ;) More info please see here.

The instruction care Instructions of the Wall Print can be found in the package you will receive after ordering a Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Exclusive or Limited Editions Wall Print.

Its important to read it BEFORE: a) mounting the Wall Print on the Wall b) cleaning it. Not reading it it can cause damage to the Wall Print (  its at your own risk  ).

In case its not in the package or you lost it here you can download a pdf version of the document.

© Christian Bloch - HDRLabs 

For most published sky the used tonemapping settings of the Backdrop images are included. That can give some clues how to make your own version.

You can make you tonemap version with the .hdr or .exr that are included in every product download.

For making this tonemapping use the following programs that are not include:

Photomatix, PTGUI Pro, HDR Expose. For comping ( regularly mix different tonemaps from those applications to get the most natural looking output) it all together use Photoshop. There are other ( Open Source tools Like Photoflow available ). More and more started using affordable comp tools like Affiinity Photo or Photoline because really not like subscription based tools. Besides that also really enjoy supporting small -passionated - developers)

Please note that the tonemappings are done in 16 bit then use 8 bit JPG versions for the Backdrop image.

Attention: 

In case of a retouched horizon : you might wonder why is the whole bottom half of the .hdr/.exr not retouched too?

This is due the fact that for example Photomatix ( and other tools ) use algorithms that are local TMOs which means it's applied differently according to the content of the image. 

So its to avoid tonemapping problems, feel free to alter it the way its the most useful in your workflow.

Colofon: 

many thanks to Gerardo Estrada for his consultancy regarding the standard tonemapping techiques!

20210731 v2

Method 1

https://web.archive.org/web/20190925201548/http://nomorebanding.com

( a Photoshop action not tried it because it works only on Photoshop versions higher then CS 4)

Method 2

http://web.archive.org/web/20130327031253/http://trojankitten.posterous.com/suddenly-a-photoshop-tutorial-avoiding-gradie

“Ok, so that's that with Photoshop's dithering. Now turn it off (Edit > Color Settings uncheck Use Dithering), because we're going to make our own dithering "engine." Here's the recipe for the magic dithering layer which you should create in your 16 bit image:

1 Create a new layer (should be topmost).

2 Fill it with solid 50% gray.

3 Make some noise: Filter > Noise > Add Noise. The settings are Amount = 25%; Distribution = Uniform; Monochromatic = checked. 

4 Now hit Command+F (Ctrl+F on Windows) to repeat the noise filter on the same layer (if you're curious why, watch the layer's histogram as you perform the noise filter the first and second time).

5 Set the layer to Linear Light. A great blending mode for this purpose. The darker half of the shades is implemented as inversed linear subtraction (like Linear Burn), and the lighter half as linear addition (like Linear Dodge).

6 In the Layers palette, set the magic values for the layer Opacity to 1% and the Fill opacity to 19%. You could (but don't, really) read the small note below about all the gory details*.

7 We're done. Now lock the layer (the padlock icon in the Layers palette) so it won't react to mouse input. You can forget it exists.”

To be clear: not invented these technique by myself so the credits goes to the people who made/wrote the technique above!

1) Linear aRGB.icc – Linear version of the ICC v2.1 Adobe RGB (1998) profile. Primaries, white point and illuminant is exactly the same as Adobe specs. Tone Reproduction curve is linear. This profile is compatible with V2 and V4 Color Management Modules.

2) Linear sRGB.icc – Linear version of the ICC v2.1 sRGB IEC61966-2.1 profile. Primaries, white point and illuminant is exactly the same as Hewlett Packard specs as profile shipped with Adobe products. Tone Reproduction curve is linear. This profile is compatible with V2 and V4 CMMs.

– Many thanks to Gerardo Estrada who generated the Linear aRGB.ICC and Linear sRGB.icc!

– Released into the public domain. No Warranty, Use at your own risk.

You can download the profiles here.

Legal notes:

All other trademarks and trade names mentioned here are the property of their respective holders.

aRGB HDR to sRGB HDR Workflow

A while ago wrote a article for HDRLabs, in that article showed a workflow how to convert a hdr based on aRGB primaries into a hdr based on sRGB primaries that is used for generating the sIBL HDR set and for regular usage in sRGB range.

Now with the new updates ICC profiles (see below) made a a updated workflow.

You can download the PDF here.

ps many thanks to Gerardo Estrada for his help with setting up the workflow!

Some notes about the 3D Model.

The 3D Model is created by my brother Hans Groothuis. He "invented" it and made the model and all the textures (in Modo ). He also made some pre camera sets in Modo for me so I won't have to do much to make renders for my shop and catalog. My 3D knowledge is still very limited.

Hans describes his model as:

“To show the potential of the individual HDR images as a light-source, they are used in a 3D scene, and rendered in Modo. The 3D Testmodel is an Analog Panorama viewer, or what it could look like, if such a device should exist"

(The mechanism is used to clean the reflective Sphere.)

ps the 3D model of the Analog Panorama viewer is not included with the (download) products.

Really sorry that could not “port” the client back office into this new Shopify online store.

Its explained here.

If you need to download previous order again please send me the purchase order details of the ordered products through the contact form at the bottom of this page.

After receiving it , will send you a 100% discount code for those, no problem at all.

IMPORTANT: Before sending me the request please create first a new account on this website by for example ordering a free product. Your mail address is needed to send you a 100% discount code.

UPDATE: 

If you want to use some skies for a custom licenses ( games etc. ) then perhaps can make a horizon retouche for you just contact for the possibilities ( contact form can be found on the bottom of this page )

With regret announce the EOL (End of Life) of the following products:

Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Volume 3

Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Volume 4

Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - Volume 5 

So there will be no new versions that include a bottom retouch and unclipped suns.

Reason is the limited time having in a earth life. Need to speed things a bit up only have about 35 productive years in front of me. And way too much idea’s so need to be careful with the time.

There will be no refund but clients can get - for example - a free compensation Dutch Skies 360° HDRI - 19k (XL) sky. Just contact by sending a message on the bottom of this FAQ page.

Sorry!

v 20210502

Note:

The catalogs below can have outdated info. Please check the specific product pages, or if you might have questions send a message through the form at the bottom of the FAQ/ Help page.

What happens after ordering a free or paid product?

After ordering a product (free & paid) you will receive first:

A) a order conformation mail followed by 

B) a mail with the invoice & finally

C) a mail that contains the link to the download location.

Did you not get one of those mails please be sure to check your SPAM box first. In most cases you will find the mails there. If not please send me a mail through the contact page at the bottom of this page

The download links can also be found right after ordering (on the thank you page) & also in your customers account.

Lots of files to download please read this first!

Some products have a lot of zip files to download so to prevent download errors please do not try to download them all together but one by one. Its better also not to use any automatic downloaders (doing that will even make the download speed slower or worse failed downloads)

All trademarks, service marks, trade names, product names and logos appearing on the site are the property of their respective owners. 

Please see here for the Cookie terms.

Important privacy notes:

You need to create a account to download the files. This website does not have a newsletter so if you like to stay updated just follow the social media channels on the bottom right or visit this website.

And now on to the official part.

R.W. Groothuis Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how your personal information is collected, used, and shared when you visit or make a purchase from https://www.bobgroothuis.com/ (the “Site”).

PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

When you visit the Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Site, we collect information about the individual web pages or products that you view, what websites or search terms referred you to the Site, and information about how you interact with the Site. We refer to this automatically-collected information as “Device Information.”

We collect Device Information using the following technologies:

    - “Cookies” are data files that are placed on your device or computer and often include an anonymous unique identifier. For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org.

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Additionally when you make a purchase or attempt to make a purchase through the Site, we collect certain information from you, including your name, billing address, shipping address, payment information (including credit card numbers email address, and phone number.  We refer to this information as “Order Information.”

When we talk about “Personal Information” in this Privacy Policy, we are talking both about Device Information and Order Information.

HOW DO WE USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

We use the Order Information that we collect generally to fulfill any orders placed through the Site (including processing your payment information, arranging for shipping, and providing you with invoices and/or order confirmations).  Additionally, we use this Order Information to:

Communicate with you;

Screen our orders for potential risk or fraud; and

When in line with the preferences you have shared with us, provide you with information or advertising relating to our products or services.

We use the Device Information that we collect to help us screen for potential risk and fraud (in particular, your IP address), and more generally to improve and optimize our Site (for example, by generating analytics about how our customers browse and interact with the Site, and to assess the success of our marketing and advertising campaigns).

SHARING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We share your Personal Information with third parties to help us use your Personal Information, as described above.  For example, we use Shopify to power our online store--you can read more about how Shopify uses your Personal Information here:  https://www.shopify.com/legal/privacy.  We also use Google Analytics to help us understand how our customers use the Site--you can read more about how Google uses your Personal Information here:  https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/.  You can also opt-out of Google Analytics here:  https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Finally, we may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights.

BEHAVIOURAL ADVERTISING

As described above, we use your Personal Information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you.  For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page at http://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising/how-does-it-work.

You can opt out of targeted advertising by:

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Additionally, you can opt out of some of these services by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out portal at:  http://optout.aboutads.info/.

DO NOT TRACK

Please note that we do not alter our Site’s data collection and use practices when we see a Do Not Track signal from your browser.

YOUR RIGHTS

If you are a European resident, you have the right to access personal information we hold about you and to ask that your personal information be corrected, updated, or deleted. If you would like to exercise this right, please contact us through the contact information below.

Additionally, if you are a European resident we note that we are processing your information in order to fulfill contracts we might have with you (for example if you make an order through the Site), or otherwise to pursue our legitimate business interests listed above.  Additionally, please note that your information will be transferred outside of Europe, including to Canada and the United States.

DATA RETENTION

When you place an order through the Site, we will maintain your Order Information for our records unless and until you ask us to delete this information.

MINORS

The Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 16.

CHANGES

We may update this privacy policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to our practices or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons.

CONTACT US

For more information about our privacy practices, if you have questions, or if you would like to make a complaint, please contact us by e-mail at mail@bobgroothuis.com or by mail using the details provided below:

 Willem Kuijperstraat 37, Den Haag, ZH, 2584XT, Netherlands

Current news (publication) channels

Minimised here the amount of publication channels. Its saves a lot of time plus the latest privacy protection developments makes it almost impossible to follow the laws ( better spend my time on “lekker een beetje knutselen”) so decided to abandon the newsletter.

The current news (publication) channels are:

1) this website :)

2) social media:

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

The direct links to the social media pages can also be found on the bottom right on this page.