PS CS4 HDR Plugin Options

ejg1890ejg1890 Registered Users Posts: 47 Big grins
edited June 6, 2010 in Finishing School
I have recently been trying my hand at the HDR thing however, I have been extremely disappointed with my results. The photos have appeared flat the the highlight areas are blown out which is why I want HDR. To date I have used PS CS4 HDR Merge.

For technique I shoot any where between 3-9 rapid shots (usually 5-9) on a tripod each shoot change by 1/3 stop.

What are other options I have as an HDR plugin for PS CS4? At least for now I prefer an natural looking photo rather than the illustrative, but that could be an option down the road.

Also any advise on technique is appreciated.

Thanks

Comments

  • basfltbasflt Registered Users Posts: 1,882 Major grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    use photomatix as standalone
    then edit result in your image editor
    Bas

    /ɯoɔ˙ƃnɯƃnɯs˙ʇlɟsɐq//:dʇʇɥ
  • ejg1890ejg1890 Registered Users Posts: 47 Big grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    I processed the HDR in a Trial version and came up with the below photo. However, I am still not too happy with it. While I have eliminated most (not all) of the highlight blow outs I have introduced whitish discoloration in the horizon. It is most noticeable around the trees and sky. I have tried several actions to eliminate it but no go. Any further suggestions?

    4675287119_03e4fb1c89_b.jpg
  • malchmalch Registered Users Posts: 104 Major grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    After trying almost every HDR program out there, my personal favorite (by a long way) is SNS-HDR. Highly recommended:

    http://www.sns-hdr.com/
  • ejg1890ejg1890 Registered Users Posts: 47 Big grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    malch wrote: »
    After trying almost every HDR program out there, my personal favorite (by a long way) is SNS-HDR. Highly recommended:

    http://www.sns-hdr.com/

    Appears to be windows only. Do they have a Mac version?
  • malchmalch Registered Users Posts: 104 Major grins
    edited June 6, 2010
    ejg1890 wrote: »
    Appears to be windows only. Do they have a Mac version?

    Not yet. It's a relatively new program. The author has stated that a Mac version is planned but I have no idea on his timescales.

    Before SNS-HDR came along my favorite HDR program was Enfuse. That is open source and I'm pretty sure you won't have any difficulty finding some Mac binaries. In fact, there's even a Mac GUI available:

    http://software.bergmark.com/enfuseGUI/Main.html

    Enfuse does a really nice job of blending (no fancy tone mapping) the exposures but the output will look rather flat initially. You'll need to do some more work with Photoshop to make it really pop. Going into LAB mode and crushing the A and B curves often works really well on those images.

    Personally, I much prefer the results from SNS-HDR or Enfuse to those of Photomatix.
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