Checked out HDR software, surprise "winner"

khardur · 10-18-2008, 03:35 PM

Isaac those are awesome - that's what I think of when I think HDR - some HDR pics look as if they could be "normal" exposures, I like the the apocalyptic feel of the ones you posted. Those are intriguing!

@pingflood: thanks for your recommendations. I'm going to check that program out.

**rparmar** · 10-18-2008, 05:03 PM

Isaac those are f*in amazing HDRs... for those that like the overprocessed look. (Yes, I do... sometimes.)

pingflood · 10-18-2008, 05:12 PM

OK, here are some less processed ones I played with today...

ftpaddict · 10-18-2008, 05:55 PM

Some really nice HDR work here, fellow forum members.

I personally use Photomatix. I have become accustomed to it to such a degree that I can get any result I want out of it. Now if only I had a sturdier tripod...

Isaac314 · 10-19-2008, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by ftpaddict

Some really nice HDR work here, fellow forum members.

I personally use Photomatix. I have become accustomed to it to such a degree that I can get any result I want out of it. Now if only I had a sturdier tripod...

I am way too punk for a tripod. When I HDR i switch to USER which is an aperture priority 3 shot bracket (-2, 0, +2), then i rely on photomatix to sort out my wobbly hands, and cry over the dodgy edges afterwards.

its all good.

**germar** · 10-19-2008, 06:36 AM

Dynamic Photo HDR is the price/performance leader at this point.

I've tried most commercial products, and Dynamic Photo HDR has all the goodies I could think of, with the exception of its own photo stitching feature to make HDR panos. The fact that it is just under half the price of Photomatics makes it a true bargain, IMO.

The only way cheaper is to go with something like QTPFSGUI, which is open source HDR creation software. It is very functional and cool, but it brings the user way into the realm of tonemapping operator "gorp" with many sliders and settings. While the output can be very good, most the time I had no idea what the "alpha kernal light reflecting spacial divisor" control was for, I just kept moving it around and trying to see a change in my output. Dynamic Photo really hides all the from the user, as does most commercial products. However, free is free, and QTPFSGUI output is as good as any other... if you can deal with the tech gorp.

That said, here's another vote for Dynamic Photo HDR! Get it while its still 55 USD!

germar

deejjjaaaa · 10-19-2008, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

for those that like the overprocessed look...

from regular dull photos (not HDR) - get topaz adjust

falconeye · 10-26-2008, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by pingflood

Photomatix
Dynamic Photo HDR
Artizen HDR
FDRtools (installer bombed out on Vista SP1 for me, so no real trial there)
Picturenaut
EasyHDR
Essential HDR

I learnt to distinguish between producing the HDR image (which involves alignment and producing a 32 Bit image) and tone-mapping (which involves mapping a 32 Bit image to 8 Bit).

So, did you look at PhotoAccute for producing the HDR image (it specialises on this)?

And, did you look at PS CS3 for tone-mapping (seems to yield less artificial results)?

After your interesting post, I googled a bit and found an interesting comparison at
http://www.hdrlabs.com/tools/links.html.
It lists 3 packages with a rating of 4/5:
- Dynamic Photo HDR
- Photomatix
- PS CS3
Seems like you are not alone in your pick

Derridale · 10-27-2008, 03:32 AM

deejjjaaaa - I know that building! Heheh - we stayed at the hotel just across the street in Quebec, and I got quite a few photos of those trompe l'oeuil walls in Quebec, including that building.

Pics reduced for upload:

Small world, huh?

But I like your treatment better.

ftpaddict · 10-27-2008, 04:30 AM

My first or fourth ever HDR attempt. Photomatix makes it quite easy and the results can vary from lifelike to surreal.

woof · 10-28-2008, 05:12 PM

Thanks for this thread. Here's a first attempt with Dynamic Photo HDR. I shot a sequence of three this summer meaning to get around to this. Glad I finally did...

Went for a little closer to reality than not.

Thanks again,

Seaain

pingflood · 10-28-2008, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by woof

Thanks for this thread. Here's a first attempt with Dynamic Photo HDR. I shot a sequence of three this summer meaning to get around to this. Glad I finally did...

Went for a little closer to reality than not.

n

That looks really nice, but is the white balance a little off? I'm guessing the beach chairs are white while they look a little blue here...

falconeye: I did not do a very in-depth project on this stuff (wish I had the time) unfortunately. I downloaded the ones I found interesting and after playing with them for a while I picked the one I liked the best (mostly based on the alignment tools, though the tone mapping options of Dynamic Photo really fit my 'vision' the best as well).

falconeye · 10-28-2008, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by pingflood

img

This photo nicely illustrates the problems of the 'local contrast' method pretty well. The upper left corner looks if it were from a vignetting lens.

This is why, over time I started to appreciate a decent 32 Bit level tool most (in HDR tone mappers). I.e., I can live with the CS3 level tool while I cannot with the one in Photomatix. How about the others, e.g., Dynamic Photo HDR?

Wulifou · 10-29-2008, 02:27 AM

Originally posted by sharko

Dynamic Photo HDR looks like a great piece of software but too bad it's only available for PC...I do all my photo management/editing on a Mac.

sharko, Dynamic Photo HDR runs on Intel Macs as well : Dynamic Photo HDR, high dynamic range imaging software with Anti-Ghosting

10-19-2008, 06:36 AM	#21
germar Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Palm Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 728	Another vote for Dynamic Photo HDR Dynamic Photo HDR is the price/performance leader at this point. I've tried most commercial products, and Dynamic Photo HDR has all the goodies I could think of, with the exception of its own photo stitching feature to make HDR panos. The fact that it is just under half the price of Photomatics makes it a true bargain, IMO. The only way cheaper is to go with something like QTPFSGUI, which is open source HDR creation software. It is very functional and cool, but it brings the user way into the realm of tonemapping operator "gorp" with many sliders and settings. While the output can be very good, most the time I had no idea what the "alpha kernal light reflecting spacial divisor" control was for, I just kept moving it around and trying to see a change in my output. Dynamic Photo really hides all the from the user, as does most commercial products. However, free is free, and QTPFSGUI output is as good as any other... if you can deal with the tech gorp. That said, here's another vote for Dynamic Photo HDR! Get it while its still 55 USD! germar

10-26-2008, 05:25 PM	#23
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by pingflood Photomatix Dynamic Photo HDR Artizen HDR FDRtools (installer bombed out on Vista SP1 for me, so no real trial there) Picturenaut EasyHDR Essential HDR I learnt to distinguish between producing the HDR image (which involves alignment and producing a 32 Bit image) and tone-mapping (which involves mapping a 32 Bit image to 8 Bit). So, did you look at PhotoAccute for producing the HDR image (it specialises on this)? And, did you look at PS CS3 for tone-mapping (seems to yield less artificial results)? After your interesting post, I googled a bit and found an interesting comparison at http://www.hdrlabs.com/tools/links.html. It lists 3 packages with a rating of 4/5: - Dynamic Photo HDR - Photomatix - PS CS3 Seems like you are not alone in your pick Last edited by falconeye; 10-26-2008 at 05:35 PM.

10-27-2008, 03:32 AM	#24
Derridale Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 412	deejjjaaaa - I know that building! Heheh - we stayed at the hotel just across the street in Quebec, and I got quite a few photos of those trompe l'oeuil walls in Quebec, including that building. Pics reduced for upload: Small world, huh? But I like your treatment better. Attached Images

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10-18-2008, 03:35 PM	#16
khardur Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Massachusetts Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,560	Isaac those are awesome - that's what I think of when I think HDR - some HDR pics look as if they could be "normal" exposures, I like the the apocalyptic feel of the ones you posted. Those are intriguing! @pingflood: thanks for your recommendations. I'm going to check that program out.

10-18-2008, 05:03 PM	#17
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Isaac those are f*in amazing HDRs... for those that like the overprocessed look. (Yes, I do... sometimes.)

10-18-2008, 05:12 PM	#18
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169 Original Poster	OK, here are some less processed ones I played with today...

10-18-2008, 05:55 PM	#19
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Some really nice HDR work here, fellow forum members. I personally use Photomatix. I have become accustomed to it to such a degree that I can get any result I want out of it. Now if only I had a sturdier tripod...

10-19-2008, 05:43 AM	#20
Isaac314 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	Originally posted by ftpaddict Some really nice HDR work here, fellow forum members. I personally use Photomatix. I have become accustomed to it to such a degree that I can get any result I want out of it. Now if only I had a sturdier tripod... I am way too punk for a tripod. When I HDR i switch to USER which is an aperture priority 3 shot bracket (-2, 0, +2), then i rely on photomatix to sort out my wobbly hands, and cry over the dodgy edges afterwards. its all good.

10-19-2008, 11:13 PM	#22
deejjjaaaa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: steel city / rust belt Posts: 2,043	Originally posted by rparmar for those that like the overprocessed look... from regular dull photos (not HDR) - get topaz adjust

10-27-2008, 04:30 AM	#25
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	My first or fourth ever HDR attempt. Photomatix makes it quite easy and the results can vary from lifelike to surreal.

10-28-2008, 05:12 PM	#26
woof Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the present Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,870	Thanks for this thread. Here's a first attempt with Dynamic Photo HDR. I shot a sequence of three this summer meaning to get around to this. Glad I finally did... Went for a little closer to reality than not. Thanks again, Seaain

10-28-2008, 05:20 PM	#27
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169 Original Poster	Originally posted by woof Thanks for this thread. Here's a first attempt with Dynamic Photo HDR. I shot a sequence of three this summer meaning to get around to this. Glad I finally did... Went for a little closer to reality than not. n That looks really nice, but is the white balance a little off? I'm guessing the beach chairs are white while they look a little blue here... falconeye: I did not do a very in-depth project on this stuff (wish I had the time) unfortunately. I downloaded the ones I found interesting and after playing with them for a while I picked the one I liked the best (mostly based on the alignment tools, though the tone mapping options of Dynamic Photo really fit my 'vision' the best as well).

10-28-2008, 05:40 PM	#28
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by pingflood img This photo nicely illustrates the problems of the 'local contrast' method pretty well. The upper left corner looks if it were from a vignetting lens. This is why, over time I started to appreciate a decent 32 Bit level tool most (in HDR tone mappers). I.e., I can live with the CS3 level tool while I cannot with the one in Photomatix. How about the others, e.g., Dynamic Photo HDR?

10-29-2008, 02:27 AM	#29
Wulifou Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: France and Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 73	Originally posted by sharko Dynamic Photo HDR looks like a great piece of software but too bad it's only available for PC...I do all my photo management/editing on a Mac. sharko, Dynamic Photo HDR runs on Intel Macs as well : Dynamic Photo HDR, high dynamic range imaging software with Anti-Ghosting