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Which software?
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Mar 22, 2019 07:36:08   #
yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey
 
Skylum's Aurora software does an excellent job with HDR, and is very easy to use. I believe a free trial version is available.

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Mar 22, 2019 07:42:40   #
traderjohn Loc: New York City
 
OutdoorOldie wrote:
Hi...just getting back into photography,and am looking for some new software.
I have GIMP,and Lightroom so far.Cannot afford Photoshop.
I am especially liking HDR,and found a software program entitled "Photomatix." Anyone have any thoughts on its usefulness, quality,etc.
TIA!
Annie

"I have GIMP,and Lightroom so far.Cannot afford Photoshop."
I think you might have misspoken. Lightroom and Photoshop are ten dollars a month. You can't afford not to have Photoshop.

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Mar 22, 2019 08:00:36   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Pick one, take it for a walk.
If it doesn't play well for you
pick another, take it for a walk.
It depends on your needs and the program's abilities.

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Mar 22, 2019 08:00:58   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
OutdoorOldie wrote:
Hi...just getting back into photography,and am looking for some new software.
I have GIMP,and Lightroom so far.Cannot afford Photoshop.
I am especially liking HDR,and found a software program entitled "Photomatix." Anyone have any thoughts on its usefulness, quality,etc.
TIA!
Annie


Get a free download of Corel Paint Shop Pro, try it, wait for a sale, they have a lot, recently offered for about $40 if my memory is good, Bob.
BTW has a HDR function built in, just have to look for it.

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Mar 22, 2019 08:02:22   #
dhk
 
Luminar 2018

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Mar 22, 2019 08:11:55   #
Jimmy T Loc: Virginia
 
OutdoorOldie wrote:
Hi...just getting back into photography,and am looking for some new software.
I have GIMP,and Lightroom so far.Cannot afford Photoshop.
I am especially liking HDR,and found a software program entitled "Photomatix." Anyone have any thoughts on its usefulness, quality,etc.
TIA!
Annie


I use PhotoScapeX and it works very well for me, and it supports processing the latest Canon Raw files. It can be used accurately with 3 or 4 clicks or you can REALLY get into serious editing. Here are a couple of sites for you, Enjoy. Be sure to select Mac/or Windows. Get the free version first (it never expires), and you can always upgrade. Also, please do yourself a favor and watch the following youtube video both to see if you would be interested and for training if you are interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWC-SAuYOzw&t=325s Instruction and download info http://x.photoscape.org/. May you always enjoy your photo journey!
JimmyT Sends

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Mar 22, 2019 08:49:26   #
rond-photography Loc: Connecticut
 
OutdoorOldie wrote:
Hi...just getting back into photography,and am looking for some new software.
I have GIMP,and Lightroom so far.Cannot afford Photoshop.
I am especially liking HDR,and found a software program entitled "Photomatix." Anyone have any thoughts on its usefulness, quality,etc.
TIA!
Annie


Photomatix is good. The batch feature is especially nice. If I shoot a house interior, there are a zillion photos to merge into HDR. I tell it to go and get a cup of coffee. It finishes the batch much more quickly than using the HDR merge in LR or PS. I still do final adjustments in LR for many, but it is way faster than doing them one at a time in LR!

Question on LR though - do you have the subscription? You would have latest LR AND PS with that for one price.

If you are using an older LR, Affinity is very inexpensive and a near equal of PS ( I have both and am trying to use Affinity instead of PS - usually successfully).

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Mar 22, 2019 09:10:03   #
thrash50
 
Try on1, I've been using the software, for about a year, and am very happy with the features, price, and tutorials, although support can sometimes, be slow to respond.

https://www.on1.com/products/photo-raw/?utm_term=mastheadbutton-coupon-main&utm_campaign=RAW19_BF_11-18&utm_source=RAW18_SteLegacy_Own&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cybermonday&coupon=cybermonday&b=1

Thrash50

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Mar 22, 2019 09:13:35   #
fetzler Loc: North West PA
 
I have Photomatrix and it is a very good HDR program. It is possible to create realistic HDR with some care.

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Mar 22, 2019 09:23:56   #
tmgoonan
 
I use Aurora HDR and haven’t looked back. Occasionally I Luminar. Both programs are available from Skylum.

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Mar 22, 2019 09:27:44   #
anotherview Loc: California
 
The ten dollars per month Adobe subscription includes both LR and PS, along with Bridge and Adobe Camera Raw. This subscription brings you the best photo-editing software on the planet, along with free updates and improvements. You cannot beat this deal with a stick.
traderjohn wrote:
"I have GIMP,and Lightroom so far.Cannot afford Photoshop."
I think you might have misspoken. Lightroom and Photoshop are ten dollars a month. You can't afford not to have Photoshop.

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Mar 22, 2019 09:50:14   #
jdub82 Loc: California
 
bsprague wrote:
....just getting back into photography,....have Lightroom ... Cannot afford Photoshop....

It changed a couple years ago. You now rent all of it in a package for $10 a month. And, the current version of Lightroom has HDR built in.


The 9.99 per month subscription includes both Lightroom and Photoshop. However, if you can't afford the subscription or prefer not to, there are some lower cost options as mentioned by others in this thread.

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Mar 22, 2019 10:09:21   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
Look at On1. I think it's about $80.00. Great features and very good reviews.

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Mar 22, 2019 10:18:44   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
There are many good processing programs that are free or inexpensive. PhotoMatix Pro is very good for doing HDR. There are other programs, but I use PMP.

https://www.photoworkout.com/aurora-hdr-2017-vs-photomatix-pro-5/
https://www.softwarehow.com/best-hdr-software/
https://captainkimo.com/hdr-software-review-comparison/

Processing -
Affinity
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/software-review-affinity-photo-1-5-2
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/affinity-photo-1.5,review-4257.html

Others
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-lightroom-alternatives
http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/photo-editing
https://www.reviews.com/photo-editing-software/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-photo-editing-software,review-1972.html
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
https://photographypro.com/photo-editing/

Free -
https://www.darktable.org/
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59324818
https://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-edit-rawtherapee/
https://www.lightstalking.com/free-photography-software/
http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-photo-editor
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

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Mar 22, 2019 10:34:21   #
maxlieberman Loc: 19027
 
I have Affinity Serif, but prefer Photoshop Elements 2018 (the 2019 version is out for about $70). I does almost everything any of the others do for less money and it is easier to use. It also comes with an organizer and a RAW converter.

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