HDR for UHH: Hogs, I have been enamored with my in camera HDR using the 7D MarkII. The images are not the best but they can certainly save some tough contrast situations. Now it is...

photodoc16

Hogs,
I have been enamored with my in camera HDR using the 7D MarkII. The images are not the best but they can certainly save some tough contrast situations. Now it is time to get more professional and buy some excellent software. Photomatix has been around for a while and I was thinking of getting Photomatix Pro for about $55. For those of you who are HDR proficient, what do you think?
Thanks,
Photodoc16

Valenta Loc: Top of NZ

What are we looking at?

donb17

I wouldn't call myself proficient, but I like Photomatix Essentials a lot.

wolfman

photodoc16 wrote:

Hogs,
I have been enamored with my in camera HDR using the 7D MarkII. The images are not the best but they can certainly save some tough contrast situations. Now it is time to get more professional and buy some excellent software. Photomatix has been around for a while and I was thinking of getting Photomatix Pro for about $55. For those of you who are HDR proficient, what do you think?
Thanks,
Photodoc16

Photomatix Pro 6 is the latest version going for $99. It's a great program. If your using LR, it includes a free plug-in.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I have used Photomatix Pro on photo bursts and on single images with good success.
It is a fun tool provided it is not overused.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Aurora HDR 2018 ($99) is pretty nice. Easy to use, and you can add presets (which are themselves adjustable). You should also check out easyHDR3. It probably has more options and capabilities than any other software on the market. Windows and Mac versions. $39 for single, personal use, $99 for commercial license.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

photodoc16 wrote:

Hogs,
I have been enamored with my in camera HDR using the 7D MarkII. The images are not the best but they can certainly save some tough contrast situations. Now it is time to get more professional and buy some excellent software. Photomatix has been around for a while and I was thinking of getting Photomatix Pro for about $55. For those of you who are HDR proficient, what do you think?
Thanks,
Photodoc16

Have you tried the merge to HDR in cs6 it's pretty damn good , the best in my opinion is photo dynamics pro by media chance . It is better than photomatics .

CO

I use Photomatix Pro HDR. It's an excellent program. It can even work with a single image. It splits the image into two exposures, and then does tone mapping on those two exposures.

photodoc16

Wolfman!
Photomatix Pro 6 is advertised on Amazon at $51.50.
Sounds like a bargain.
Thanks,
Photodoc16

photodoc16

Dear NikonBrain,
Thank you for your comments. At this point I am an Elements 13 user. I realize it does have its limitations and HDR seems to be one of them. I don't know what to do about getting Photoshop so in the meanwhile I would like to add some appropriate HDR's to my repertoire. Stand alone Photomatix is probably the way to go for me now.
Photodoc16 (Richard)

photodoc16

Just Fred,
Thank you for tip on easyHDR3. I had not heard about it before and it looks intriguing. The price is certainly right. Have you used this program enough to notice any downside or have you read about any problems? I can check Amazon for reviews also.
This is a work in progress.
Just Photodoc16

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

My thoughts are that HDR has it's place as a useful tool to use with frames that are way beyond the reach of a specific camera's EV range. It's now gained popularity to a ridiculous point of being substituted for straight forward post-processing. Most of the HDR shots I see posted are pure crap that's flat, overcooked and full of artifacts. Done well with say 13+ EV range it's a boon to post processing. My question is what PP app do you use and do you know how? There's no substitute IMHO.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

photodoc16 wrote:

Just Fred,
Thank you for tip on easyHDR3. I had not heard about it before and it looks intriguing. The price is certainly right. Have you used this program enough to notice any downside or have you read about any problems? I can check Amazon for reviews also.
This is a work in progress.
Just Photodoc16

Photodoc, I've used easyHDR3 for a couple of years now, and in truth, I'd stack it up against any other product out there. Not only will it process bracketed photos (with the ability to remove people/moving objects), aligning edges, and more technical tweaks than I can fathom, it also does a very nice job on single photos, too.

There's a learning curve, but isn't that true for most software? The product has been on the market and stable for quite a while (I have v3.10.1 [Mac], last updated in June of this year). I have not had to pay for updates, and the documentation is thorough and complete. In other words, I'm very happy with it.

It was the first HDR program I purchased, and while I've used Lightroom, Aurora HDR (the 2018 release is quite nice), ON1, and several other programs, I find that when I really want to fine-tune a photo (the level of HDR notwithstanding), easyHDR is hard to beat!

A trial copy is available for download, as is a freeware (less capable) version for Windows. I suggest you download the free demo version and see for yourself.

photodoc16

Terrific. Good to get that kind of feedback. I will download the version available and see how it performs.
Thank you again, Just Fred.
Great Moniker.
Photodoc16

photodoc16

Papa,
My current PP is done mainly with Elements 13. It isn't set up for HDR work and so I am asking for suggestions.
13+ EV translates to about 13 stops doesn't it? That is one huge density range. Is that your criteria for HDR use? Isn't it also
greater than most cameras can even capture?
Thanks,
Photodoc16