Photomatix pro alternatives

IanC

IanC

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,318
Name
Ian
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

I have been using photomatix pro for years and have been happy with the results, I know HDR isn't everyone's cup of tea but I was only using it with single exposures mostly anyway.

Is there any software out there similar to photomatix?

Thanks

Ian
 
Photomatic came out very poor when I last made comparisons; it often produced ghost images and PM had no solution. Using it with a single image is not HDR you are merely tone mapping which you could do without HDR software. I used to use Oloneo which was much better than Photomatic and in particular had more realistic colours. I also found Nik HDR Pro better at re-aligning hand held sets. For real HDR that is to handle a scene DR range larger than the DR of the Camera (the real reason for HDR) then LR was by far the best. This is because it uses the Raw files and combines into a 32 bit Raw file which you can edit using the normal tools. Because this does not involve tone mapping, the colours remain natural. If you want a tone mapped effect you can just us a filter.

Dave
 
I find the Affinity Photo HDR function both easy to use and effective. If you are just tone mapping a single image, Affinity Photo will do that as well, without bothering the HDR engine.
 
IanC said:
Hi all,

I have been using photomatix pro for years and have been happy with the results, I know HDR isn't everyone's cup of tea but I was only using it with single exposures mostly anyway.

Is there any software out there similar to photomatix?

Thanks

Ian
Click to expand...
I like HDR Ian, as long as it’s not ‘overdone’ or extreme. Some subjects suit the process.
 
Norkie said:
I like HDR Ian, as long as it’s not ‘overdone’ or extreme. Some subjects suit the process.
Click to expand...
With some subjects - mediaeval church interiors for example - HDR is essential due to the light difference between the windows and the internal corners.
 
Last edited:
Yes, and I’ve seen posts here of derelict building interiors that come alive almost!
 
I agree! What software do you both use for it?
 
I use Affinity and Nik. I really enjoy visiting churches and cathedrals, the interiors are amazing!
 
Norkie said:
I use Affinity and Nik. I really enjoy visiting churches and cathedrals, the interiors are amazing!
Click to expand...
Do you use multiple exposures with affinity? I have used the trial version but just with one exposure, it seems ok but not as good as photomatix was
 
IanC said:
Do you use multiple exposures with affinity? I have used the trial version but just with one exposure, it seems ok but not as good as photomatix was
Click to expand...
Yes, typically three, exposure, +1, -1. When I get a moment I’ll post a couple from Canterbury cathedral that I was very happy with ;)
 
IanC said:
Do you use multiple exposures with affinity? I have used the trial version but just with one exposure, it seems ok but not as good as photomatix was
Click to expand...
If you are using Affinity Photo with just one image, you use the Tone Mapping persona rather than the HDR engine. I have not actually tried it as I always use multiple images.
 
Lightroom. Pretty much the only one that does NOT use TONEMAPPING therefore the results are actually normal. Just have to watch out for any movement and be ready to fix it from any of the source images in PS.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Lightroom. Pretty much the only one that does NOT use TONEMAPPING therefore the results are actually normal. Just have to watch out for any movement and be ready to fix it from any of the source images in PS.
Click to expand...
Problem with Adobe these days is the subscription, I definitely won't be spending that much on editing software
 
I find that the results from Aurora look less artificial on the whole than those from Nik HDR Pro. I also have Photomatix but I don't use it very much - to my eye it produces very flat results. I do a lot of architectural interiors and I have found that modern cameras are so good that a tone mapped single image often gives more pleasing results than merging three exposures.
 
Don't tend to do HDR anymore but when I did could NOT see past SNS-HDR for natural results, not a big company just one individual who came up with a very good program.

SNS-HDR

SNS-HDR - software for processing images using the HDR technique
www.sns-hdr.com www.sns-hdr.com
Russ
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top