Which HDR program?

[plangereis]

I am planning on getting into some HDR work, and have been reading various reviews about Photomatix and a number of other HDR programs. The problem is that the reviews I have read are all over the place. Just to let people who respond to this thread, I am not really keen on over-processd HDR images (ones that look like drawings etc), and would like to keep them as realistic as possible so they still look like photos. What program would you suggest?

[cowsled]

I'd recommend Photomatix.
This was done with it using 3 exposures with some slight processing in photoshop after:

No drawing effect! =D

[RexK_Cozumel]

I think that the "drawing" effect comes from people over doing the process not really from the different programs themselves. That being said photomatrix is very good.

[Elmo]

Most of them are free trial. Download and give them a try. I have 3 and use different ones for different situations. They all work a little different, but can all give the same results if you work at it. I generally try all three and I fine tune the one that gives the best initial result. I should settle on one and learn it.

Photoatrix
Dynamic
QTPFSQL

[sarahgirl777]

I tried a few and prefer this one. It has many options so you can make your photo look real or surreal. Sometimes I prefer one way and sometimes another.

Here is one I did with that program and I think it looks more natural. You can see more in my Landscapes Set on flickr. All the photos in there (4 I think) are all HDR done with that program.

[plangereis]

Originally Posted by cowsled

I'd recommend Photomatix.
This was done with it using 3 exposures with some slight processing in photoshop after:

No drawing effect! =D

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

I think that the "drawing" effect comes from people over doing the process not really from the different programs themselves. That being said photomatrix is very good.

Originally Posted by Elmo

Most of them are free trial. Download and give them a try. I have 3 and use different ones for different situations. They all work a little different, but can all give the same results if you work at it. I generally try all three and I fine tune the one that gives the best initial result. I should settle on one and learn it.

Photoatrix
Dynamic
QTPFSQL

Originally Posted by sarahgirl777

I tried a few and prefer this one. It has many options so you can make your photo look real or surreal. Sometimes I prefer one way and sometimes another.

Here is one I did with that program and I think it looks more natural. You can see more in my Landscapes Set on flickr. All the photos in there (4 I think) are all HDR done with that program.

Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems to me that it is between Photomatix and Dynamic Photo HDR! Any final words of advice/ comparisons?

[Digidave]

Yea, Google for a coupon code.

Google