Getting Tonemapped HDR images to look smooth

[rcooper102]

I have searched all over looking for a solution but haven't really found anything and was wondering if you guys could shed some light for me. I see HDR tonemapped images all the time and the highlights and transitions and such always look unbelievably smooth while still having great contrast and powerful color. For example:

http://www.stephenoachs.com/photos/s...sehoe-bend.jpg

However, whenever I try to tonemap an HDR image I always get a huge abundance of noise leading to awful looking skies or fuzzy detail. And if I try to crank up the contrast or mess with the curves to bring out more bold coloring and detail the noise becomes much much worse. I was wondering if there could be something I am doing wrong in either post or shooting. My general work flow is:

Shoot 3 to 9 exposures separated by 1 stop each on a tripod using a remote shutter release.

The camera I keep at ISO 200 setting aperture depending on my depth of field requirements and shutter speed to change the exposure value of each shot.

On the computer I use photomatix to merge them into an HDR and tone map them. Even when I turn micro smoothing to the max I often still get noise, pixelation, discoloration and all sorts of other issues.

I have attached a tone mapped photo of mine to show what I mean. Now this is a way extreme case, they don't normally turn out THIS bad but it is a good example as it does show the problems very obvious. I just would love to be able to get the great tonal range and smooth detail out of my HDR shots like in the above example.

There is a ton of noise in the mountain (even though there is no noise in the un-tonemapped images that have the mountain properly exposed). Same goes for the grassy hill. Also the ski loses most of it's color from the original shot and if I crank up the saturation the sky becomes a noisy mess as well.

thx for any help

[OsmosisStudios]

What are you using for your HDR processing? That can be the biggest issue.

[Sterling]

On the computer I use photomatix...

I think he uses Photomatix.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Sterling

I think he uses Photomatix.

Forgot my TLNR

In Photomatix there's a slider called "strength". Just tone it down.

[rcooper102]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Forgot my TLNR

In Photomatix there's a slider called "strength". Just tone it down.

Ya, which is what I do but then I lose that rich HDR toning and color like in the above example. The photos just end up looking like a regular shot with better exposure. (Which often isn't a problem as it is the look I am going for but I always "WOW" at certain HDR images and would love to be able to create them myself)

[OsmosisStudios]

Then you may need to take the tonemapped image and bring it back into PS and up the saturation.