HDR Software
I’ve been creating HDR photographs for about three years, so I am well-versed in this topic!
There are a number of HDR Software packages available on the market. Some are free and some cost money. I have tried the vast majority of these packages. Because this site is considered on of the top HDR Photography websites on the web, companies often send me their packages to test.
It’s always been my goal to find the easiest and most robust software. Regular fans of the site know that I only review and recommend software that I actually use. In my humble opinion, Photomatix Pro is the best HDR Software available. I send a lot of photographers over there, and they gave me a Photomatix Coupon Code of “STUCKINCUSTOMS” for 15% off. You can order it (or get a free trial) from the Photomatix webpage.
I’ve met with many HDR expert photographers and the vast majority of them are lovers of this software like me. It’s easy to use, the UI is very slick, and it’s quite fast. Moreover, I’ve spoken on the phone with the owner of the company and she is very nice. She’s committed to making the best product available, and I appreciate that as a photographer. She reads all feedback and takes all suggestions very seriously.
HDR Tutorial
I have a nice free how-to guide and HDR Tutorial available here on the site if you want to learn how to use the product.
HDR Camera
You do not really need a special type of camera, but I do have my HDR Camera recommendations here on the site. There is a bit more explanation there, in addition to a description of my own personal gear.
HDR Photos
Below, I have put a few photos of both the software being used and some of the results. The first one is of the Photomatix interface.
I am “blown away” by your work. This has inspired me to attempt to use the HDR software. Your tutorial, I am sure, will be of great benefit.
I live in Victoria Australia and I love taking photos in the beautiful state of Tasmania. I would love to see what you would do with images shot in this amazing place.
Keep up the great work.
Susan M.
Thank you very much Susan!
I am very impressed with your website and HDR images.
I have been using Photomatix for about a year. I also teach digital photography. I would love to turn people on to your website and work.
From your comments, that appears OK. I need to do alot more with my website, which I set up for my students use. Could I post a link to your website in mine?
Your comments are welcome. Craig
Nicely done… I specialize in panoramas and have wanted to try HDR for a while, in fact I am going to shoot my first shots today with my new Canon 5D mark II… woo hoo…
I live in St.George, Utah, a fabulous area known for Zion National Park, Grand Staircase & many others. Utah really is a wow place, so much to see & do. I thank you for sharing your images & expertise.
Until we meet again & as always… Happy trails,
Cowboydoug
Hi Trey, I came to your site through the recent TWIP podcast. Looking at your (quite frankly) stunning images, I feel inspired to try HRD on some of my own work.
I was thinking about your recommendation for the ‘sharpening’ software. You gave Nik Sharpener a really good review (the before and after comparison was particularly interesting) and so I wondered how this compared with your recommendation for HRD sharpening, i.e. the Noiseware product.
Sincere thanks,
Julian
Thanks!
Julian – I suggest Nik, Topaz, or Lucis for sharpening – I use them all!
Thanks for the advice Trey. Apologies for the typo, I should have said HDR!
i like this..
You’ve got here some of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever seen.
Keep up with the good work.
R.
Great work, how do you get the people shots without blurring? How many fps, iso, tec
Hi, I’m a former pro photog, but I am also a computer consultant/programmer, independent scientific researcher and inventor. HDR is a baby compared with what it will evolve into. Presently there are available fairly powerful computer-on-chip modules, which should soon make on-camera HDR processing possible. I predict better algorithms, requiring less computing power, and an adjustable dynamic range boost:
HDR IS the future of photography, but not the way it is now. Viewers will get a taste of it, and they will not want anything else. But I urge the photog community to present proper examples of HDR: Images that look like what the human eye actually sees.
If the general public witnesses a freak show, they won’t like it. The images in this post could serve as tasteful examples of how properly restrained HDR processing can improve image quality.
I’ve been using Linux. The HDR tools available are based on Linux HDR tools. Linux offers increased flexibility and power over MacOS and/or Windows, in HDR processing. In fact, HP has a $120.00/month workstation capable, using open source Linux tools, to make HDR movies.
One of the available movies is called, “Fiat Lux” (Let There Be Light). You can google it and take a look.
A relative digital novice, I became introduced to HDR through the Canon Digital Photography Forum, and just started researching HDR software today. Your shots are amazing! (or maybe I’m just easily impressed at this point
At any rate, after the money I’ve spent on a few lenses, the price of a decent program like Photomatix is a drop in the bucket if I can get results anywhere close to the images posted.
OMG!!!! I wanna be a photographer!!!!
Trey, your photos are absolutely stunning – thank you for sharing!!!!
Thanks for the info and screenshot. I will check it out. Love your images by the way.
Thanks so much for the info. I love your website and infact just became your fan on facebook. i will definately get a copy of your book. I just recently learned about HDR and found your site from Dombowers website. Looking at your photos inspired me to try it out. thanks!
?????????????? Q Q?651362234
I could easily say that your photos are some of the best I’ve seen yet.
Please I would like your permission to have a link to your site on my photography site so that my members and visitors can see your work and hopefully learn something about HDR photography from you.
Thanks for sharing.
[...] http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-software/comment-page-1/#comment-742554 [...]
I believe that the picture which looks most like what the naked eye would see is “two chairs by the sea”!
I have been using the Photomatrix trial version for awhile now and before I pulled the trigger on purchasing it I wanted to see what else was out there. Your blog came up on Google and perfectly answered my questions. I’m having fun using a little 12mp digital point and shoot, it’s got a sharp Schneider lens but miss not having the use of a polorizer or neutral-density filters with this camera. HDR software is like having these filters again. thanks
I think HDR is exciting, and could definitely split photography into two separate fields.
I can already see a split in early adoptors, some are going the arty route, because it is new and looks great, and others are after purity of image to the original, which is also ok.
Does anyone know if the HDR of the future will be a single image process combined with technical wizardry in the shot data, or whether compound images will still be used?
[...] done HDR is supposed to look like not that crayola friendly pictures being uploaded lately here. HDR Software – What I recommend __________________ EQUIP: NIKON D5000 / AF-S NIKKOR 18-55MM VR / NIKKOR 55-200MM AF-S DX ZOOM [...]
Beautiful work, Trey! I’m surprised that you have not invested in a Perspective Control lens for the type work you do. I’ve just gotten interested in trying out HDR and will advance to Photomatrix if needed and appreciate your recommendation.
Beautiful work, Trey! I’m surprised that you have not invested in a perspective control lens for the type work that you do. Have just started to explore HDR. Thanks for the software recommendation based on your extensive work in the field.
I agree that Photomatrix is the most impressive software. I also use Serif Photo Plus X3. After I process images there, I usually take them into PhotoShop for some more processing using some actions I have downloaded.
Your shots are awesome. The one looking out the window to the mountains with the puzzle in the foreground says it all..It is what HDR is all about.
I saw Brian’s comment that in camera processing should be coming…Hasn’t it come in the Sony Alpha 550? Definately some great things to come.
I have been working on HDR images for about six months now and am finally getting some affects and images I really like.
Keep up the great work.
I am in love with Panoramic photos. For my wishlist I would love to see Photomatrix process both. It would have some weight, but I think it can be done.
I have tried trials of several HDR software programs including Photomatrix. The software that really impressed me was
Dynamic Photo HDR. This amazing little program is so tightly programmed it only takes about 20 mb of space. It has the most complete workflow solution I have encountered and contains it’s own photo editor along with ability to load photoshop plug-ins.
The price is also very reasonable imo. This is the software I now own and happy to do so. I am not affiliated with this software company. Free trial offer at http://www.mediachance.com/hdri/index.html
The SNS-HDR Pro generates a more natural images than Photomatix. It is easier to use and has better editing capabilities.
Sebastian, as with any HDR software, the natural and/or surreal look is all in the Tone Mapping. I use Photomatix Pro 3.2 and with the custom Tone Mapping setting I have created, all of my images look completely natural. I am a professional real estate photographer and having a realistic, natural looking photo is a must. You just need need to play with the sliders more.
TylerG, also important is the quality of used algorithms. Better use of algorithms optimized for the natural look.
which is your camera… it would be nice if you included the camera lens, focal length, fstop etc.
thanks for sharing these amazing creations.
Thanks for the comments
Ajit – I have all my camera information here: http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-camera/
The pictures are good, and I shall give them a B-. I am not crazy about the HDR images.
OH MY GOD!!!!! WOW.. I dont even know what to say. These are some of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen! I only wish I could do this. I really really wish i could make my photos look like this. Wow!!
I tried PhotoMatrix on a picture I took and it said it did not support my camera. I have a Nikon D70 and the pic was in JPEG format. Could you tell me why?
Thanks all.
Richard – it should work with NO problem. It’s just JPGs… you should have no issue at all with Photomatix !
Simply Stunning. Do you have any tutorials on how you did a specific image – I would luv to be able to obtain the individual images and process them in the steps that you took – I have tried HDR but without the same results as yours. Let me know. Outstanding work – I am humbled. Robert
Thanks! Well – if you get the HDR DVD (out soon) – the premium one comes with sample photos so you can follow along
I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be
sorted out because it is about the individual but it can be with
everyone.The initiative taken for the concern is very serious and need an attention of every one. This is the concern which exists in the society and needs to be eliminated from the society as soon as
possible.
==================================
Finance Software
Trey
Two new-comers to the HDR scene are Adobe CS-5 & NIK HDR beta.
Will you be updating your site for Adobe CS-5 HDR?
Are you beta testing NIK HDR (announced 5/7-2010)?
Do you have any comments on these programs at this time?
Terence O’Neill
terence667@yahoo.com
(805) 4702-6935
We still need a HDR program that produces a picture that the first knowlegable comment you get is not “Yuk its HDR”
Yes – I will update all this when I get some time – it’s hard – I get new comments and need to maintain 10-20 threads so I get behind !
Hat’s off. Well done, as we know that “hard work always pays off”,
after a long struggle with sincere effort it’s done.
———
Useable Technology
Very nice photo’s…wow.
Just wundering about the photo from India (?) with all those people walking around…how you manage this photo? Normally i take 3 photo’s to create HDR…but with ppl on it … they moveand the ppl on the HDR are blurry?
Greetings
Guus
Congratulations on what is obviously a hugely successful photographic career. Your compositions are very good and also unique as shown in the views of Hong Kong and the Taj Mahal in Agra.
That said, you have given in to what so many should study to avoid; Photoshop/Lightroom abuse. I refer especially to Vibrance/Clarity/exposure and saturation sliders which you have overused to jaw dropping extremes. Perhaps it is your intention to create a ghastly world of kelly greens and dayglo pinks. My only concern is that so many people are so visually illiterate that this kind of excess is their only means of appreciating photography and that some of them may well try to emulate your example.
I do want to say that you seem to be generous to a fault and that you energetically pursue what you love. That’s more than most of us can say.
sir. Im a student here in Philippines studying fine arts and design major in advertising arts.. im not that good at painting but photography is my passion, your works inspired me to be better.. im using photomatix and lightroom only for processing.. just want you to know that your photo inspired me a lot and i want to learn more how to make a good HDR image.. this is some of my works in my photography subject
im noob though.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=17273&id=100000402001502