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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> HDR : Giving it a try before I buy
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 09/15/2007 11:04:41 AM · #1
[thumb]587079[/thumb]

[thumb]587078[/thumb]

How do they look? Is it worth $99 for Photomatix Pro?
I like how stream line and easy it is to generate and tonemap. I know they could be better but I'm just playing around with the freeware version at the moment.

Great program.
09/15/2007 11:32:31 AM · #2
Originally posted by swhiddon:
Is it worth $99 for Photomatix Pro?


I think that you just answered this question with the following statement...

Originally posted by swhiddon:
I know they could be better but I'm just playing around with the freeware version at the moment.

Great program.


I like how Photomatix brings out more of the colors and exposure in shots that aren't necessarily problematic in those areas.

This is a challege entry that did fairly well using the Shadow/Highlight Tool a lot. After the challenge I processed it using Photomatix and, although I could have taken more time with it, I like the results for my very first time using this program.

- - -
Original challenge entry - - - Quick HDR version

I think that having the option of using this program is worth the $99.00.
 09/15/2007 12:08:10 PM · #3
Thanks for your response and nice work on your picture.
 09/15/2007 12:22:34 PM · #4
Thanks, I liked your results enough to start messing around with this some more. I am almost finished with a scene that I have always liked but has bugged me because something 'wasn't quite right' with it. I've always felt like it could be salvaged but I've never been satisified with the results.

I'll post before and afters when I'm finished.
 09/15/2007 01:20:37 PM · #5
They give academic discounts for Photomatix Pro...I got it dirt cheap ($30)
 09/15/2007 01:20:55 PM · #6
Here is the photo that I decided to try Photomatix on since seeing your results above this morning:

- - - - - -
underexposed original - - - - - Quick CS2 edit - - - - - - - Quick Photomatix edit

For the Photomatix edit, I combined the original underexposed shot with one at +.75 exposure and one at +1.5 exposure settings. After running the HDR tone mapping process, I opened in Nikon Capture NX to quickly bring out more detail in some darker areas as well as adjust some nasty looking yellowish green color in the foreground water. Capture NX allows me to make these adjustments quickly without the use of selection tools like lasso and magic wand. Then I opened the image in CS2 and finished processing there.

I did all of these faster than I would if my intention was to produce the best possible results. Otherwise, I would have spent a lot more time perfecting the final version.

It's not something that I would consider a "keeper", but it does illustrate the power and usefulness of Photomatix's software.
 09/16/2007 04:04:11 PM · #7
Originally posted by slickchik:
They give academic discounts for Photomatix Pro...I got it dirt cheap ($30)

But I'm not in school. Can I still get a discount? Would be nice!
 09/16/2007 09:33:39 PM · #8
Originally posted by swhiddon:
Originally posted by slickchik:
They give academic discounts for Photomatix Pro...I got it dirt cheap ($30)

But I'm not in school. Can I still get a discount? Would be nice!


You get get the school discount if you have kids (even if they are in 1st grade).

I think the $99 is well worth it. There have been many images I was gonna trash, but decided to run it thru to 'see what happens' with great results, including:



3 of my top rated images are HDR

Message edited by author 2007-09-16 21:37:48.
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