egglady Loc: Knoxville, Tn

Is there a free trial or download to try HDR? Does anyone know if it can be done on adobe CS5 program? thanks

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

Yes, Photomatix and Nik HDR have a trail version, and yes, CS5 has a means of doing HDR composite with it. I use Photomatrix for composite and further enhance my images with PS CS4. Click on this link http://www.dubinphotography.net/Events/Melbourne-HDR-July-7-2011/17995287_GJkwMJ#!i=1378784647&k=n4NBQfr to some of my before and after HDR photos. Arnold

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

There are also a few free versions of HDR programs that are fairly decent. Read more on opening page, along with hyperlink to free download:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonian72/sets/72157625593019921

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Nice examples, Douglass (and Arnold). Whose old Chevy pick-up, yours? Cool.

egglady Loc: Knoxville, Tn

Arnold, Thank you for the information and great examples. Will try to find what my cs5 can do first I think.

egglady Loc: Knoxville, Tn

Nikonian,Thank you the links. I will be checking them out shortly.

egglady Loc: Knoxville, Tn

Danilo, Thank you for the info and links. I will read up on it.

nikonboy60 Loc: Westen NewYork State

Hi i never tried HDR with cs5 but i have photomatix and HDR darkroom. Both have trial software available. I happen to like hdr darkroom best but my copy of photomatix is quite old and they have a new version. I was just too cheap to pay $99 for it I got HDR darkroom 9.95

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

I use both Photomatix and NIK HDR Effects primarily but have used the CS5 HDR feature as well. The stand alone programs give you a lot of presets whereas CS5 just does the merge and requires you to further refine your shot with other CS5 controls. The strength of any HDR program is how well it merges the image sets and can tune out subtle movements between frames to eliminate ghosting. All do that pretty well.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

I have used this product for several years and found it to be very user friendly and it's only $54.00. http://www.mediachance.com/hdri/index.html Currently however I added NikEfex HDRPro http://www.niksoftware.com/hdrefexpro/usa/entry.php. I can use this in Photoshop CS5. It gets great reviews. It is considerably more expensive than the Mediachance

TimothyBuss Loc: Virginia/West Virginia

HDR Darkroom is not a functional link anymore... :cry:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If you decide to buy Photomatix, it is easy to get a 15% discount. Google HDR software and you will eventually find a site that offers the discount. Try stuckincustoms.com. I think that's where I got my 15%.

I have Photomatix, and I love it. When it does the combining, it gives me about thirteen different versions of the result, from B&W to grunge. After you make your choice, you can make additional modifications in PS.

Jack Disbrow Loc: Northern New Jersey

Nick, your link goes to a page listing FDR Advanced. You had suggested that program some time ago, and I obtained it ... and find it very effective and easy to use. One question: I have the Basic, not the Advanced version, and I understand that the Advanced version is not free. I find the Basic version valuable in two ways ... it does a pretty good job as is, and it provides a link to the firm's full manual. That publication provides a lot of information, including the features that only become available through purchase of the Advanced version.

Having said all of that, thanks for your previous suggestion that led me to the FDR program. I have learned a lot while using it.

gmccaleb Loc: East KY / South AL

I just downloaded a trial version of Photomatix and NIK Effects HDR. I havent' tried the NIK yet, but I did use the Photomatix and love, love, love it! I will try NIK before making a purchase, but will definitely be getting one of them. I have Lightroom 3 and Elements 10.

anotherview Loc: California

Have used only Nik HDR software so far. I select it for single shots still in the RAW file format.

Before using it, however, I crop the photo, set the camera profile, select the preset for picture style, align the verticals and the horizontal, and adjust noise levels (if necessary). Then I save the file, and open it to Nik HDR Merge in Bridge from the Tools drop-down menu.

Note that the drop-down menu will show the Nik software choice grayed out if the Bridge software has the image in the view mode. You have to close this view to make the Nik software selectable.

I've also experimented with bracketed shots using this software, and find the result very useful for capturing and processing shots with a bright sky and a dark foreground. I note that the final image often comes out underexposed but I adjust it in CS5.

If you use this software, then remember to change the image Mode to 16-bit in CS5. The HDR software renders its result in 32-bit mode.

Overall, I like the Nix HDR software for its capability and ease of use. The variety of presets and "looks" along with the adjustment sliders provide many ways to process the original image.