photomatix

joescrivens · 11 Nov 2009

Hi,

Can someone tell me the advantage to using photomatix for bracketing and HDR work rather than using the "Merge to HDR" feature straight in Photoshop CS4

why is it better? Lots of people seem to use it over this feature so I am assuming it has an advantage - just wondering whether to purchase it

GarynLea · 11 Nov 2009

It's worth trying the demo before purchase to see if you get on with it. I find that Photomatix enhances the picture more .. just a better output with a few more in-program adjustments available.

Hawker · 11 Nov 2009

I'd don't have CS4 so can't give a total answer, but do use Photomatix and am very happy with the results. But yes, whenever this question crops up the consensus seems to be that Photomatix does a better job overall.

Probably the best thing to do, is download the free version of Photomatix (it has full functionality but watermarks the final output). Then just just do a test yourself, between CS4 and photomatix on the same bracketed exposures.

joescrivens · 11 Nov 2009

righto, will do, cheers

swanseamale47 · 11 Nov 2009

Photoshop is good at many things but sadly HDR isn't one of the best of them, it's easly the hardest to get a "good" HDR, they always need further post processing, it's also farily difficult to get the stronger HDR look, photoshop leans towards the more subtle approach.
Photomatix on the other hand is built for one thing and it does it wonderfully well, you can go from the most subtle look to wham bang thats a HDR! (and anything in between).
It's well worth the money
Check out http://www.vanilladays.com/hdr-guide/ by Pete MC one of the members here for some tutorials, and I think there was a discount coupon code about somewhere too.

bomberman · 13 Nov 2009

Vanilladays or Stuckincustoms both do tutorials and discounts but like others have said give the free trial a go

Gordon Scott · 13 Nov 2009

There is no comparison really... Photoshop produces very disappointing HDR. Photomatix has a wide range of controls that work really well when you get the hang of them.

Mud · 15 Nov 2009

I find CS3 (no CS4, sorry!) is adequate if you're looking to create a largely realistic-looking output, but photomatix gives a highly customisable output which can be realistic or not. In particular, if I want to emphasise dark tones then photomatix gives me a much better output.