HDR

For the last year or so I have playing around with HDR using Photomatix Essentials however, I rarely get the result that I am looking for! Most of the options available in Essentials are a tad too painterly for my taste and I really would like to get a more natural result; even Essentials' 'Natural' option is not as natural as I would like. Can anyone recommend software that they have used and are satisfied with, bearing in mind it is based purely on personal taste. Should I upgrade to the Pro version of Photomatix? Oloneo is looking pretty good, if a little pricey.
Your assistance would be appreciated.

Photomatix Pro does the trick, just don't use the presets and get whatever effect you want.

It starts with shooting the images - how many, what exposure gap between them, etc. I start with 1 EV steps and shoot seven images, others shoot five or three images.

Photomatix will be much easier than Oloneo, or at least that's what people tell me who have used Oloneo.

However, it's up to you how subtle you want your Photomatix images to be.

Do you have to use software to get decent HDR results?
I have been using in camera HDR (K5) with very poor results.

Regards,
Tony.

HDR software is the more versatile option.

upgrade definitely, this is Photomatix pro, DA15 5 exposure, 2 stop between.
there is also Nik HDR Efex which is a plugin to photoshop i believe, reading reviews not much between them but depends if you prefer a stand alone programme

Just discovered that Oloneo is Windows only!
Thanks for the info John. I normally go for five images with 1 EV steps.

When Joe posted his two HDR landscapes a couple of days ago I spouted on about me not bothering with HDR landscapes any longer. Those two posts shot me down completely, I'm pleased to say! Perhaps PM Pro is the way to go.

I have PM Pro - and you can get pretty good results with it (well results that I am happy with anyway !!)
Andy

Another vote for Photomatix Pro. I have to admit that I have not used anything else but I do find it easy to use without going over the top.

I also have to admit my early efforts with PM Pro were ghastly, but that was down to me, not the software.

I am firmly in the "less is more" camp with HDR.

Dave

I've mentioned a few times that I rarely use HDR, but when I do it's Photomatix Pro. I ignore the presets completely and go for my own settings, the objective being a 'natural' look and not what most people would call 'HDR'. Quite often the HDR image ends up getting blended back into the 'normal' image - this can give a very pleasing effect that does not look like HDR, but has the extended dynamic range I am looking for.

Regards
David

SNS HDR gets some pretty good reviews too.

even redbusa's is too cartoonish for me - can one get very, very natural HDR with it ? I am thinking of dabbling and photomatix was at the forefront of my mind

Ripon Cathedral Unmodified:


Ripon Cathedral HDR:

A good hdr program at present is photoshop itself... I also like Nik HDR pro 2. But any suite is what you make of it.

Just my personal opinion of course, but if you had aimed for something inbetween those two examples you'd have an image which was striking yet didn't have the crass HDR effect.

What I'm trying to say is that you can boost the shadows and tame the highlights without the HDR acid trip