Recently, I’ve seen more and more images done in HDR, or high dynamic range imaging. In a nutshell, HDR can return some really cool looking pictures. See this article at Wikipedia for more in-depth info on HDR. Programs such as Photoshop can create this effect, however that will cost a pretty penny and can require a bit of work. Photomatix Pro allows you to create these images for much less money and time. As we often strive to do, we have a copy of Photomatix Pro to give away at the end of the reveiw, courtesy of the wonderful folks at HDRsoft. So let’s get started.

When opening Photomatix, you’re greeted with a small and very simple window. With just 4 buttons (technically 5, but 1 is for a tutorial), you may wonder what you just paid for. Fear not, this is just the start. Choose “Generate HDR image” to get started. You can also select “Tone Mapping,” “Exposure Blending,” and “Batch Processing” - all of which offer ways to blend and adjust your images. Let’s stick with generating an HDR image though, as I feel it really exemplifies what Photomatix Pro does. After choosing to generate an HDR image, you’ll be prompted to select images taken at different exposures (generally 3 images taken at -2, 0, and +2 exposures work best). After that, select a few options to tweak the settings as you like. The image is then generated in just a few seconds, but you’re not done yet. Select the “Tone Mapping button to finish processing the photo. Here you’ll need to play around with the settings to get the look you’re going for. The end result will be a photograph that would be difficult or nigh impossible to achieve with a camera alone. From extremely surreal pictures to ones that are simply exposed in a way so as to highlight all aspects of the picture, Photomatix Pro gives you the tools you need to portray your photos in a new light.

I like to consider myself a budding photographer, but if I’m honest with myself I know I’m just starting out. I went outside to grab some pictures to test with Photomatix Pro. Below are the three images I started with.

Under-exposed:

UnderThe image is just too dark overall, but there is a little bit of color that is very rich.

Mid-exposure:

MidAgain, the bottom is very dark, which may be a nice effect but I really want the foreground to show.

Over-exposed:

OverThe foreground has finally come out, but everything is way too bright.

So as you can see, none of these images quite captures the whole scene. However, when put through Photomatix Pro, the results are quite amazing. I really wanted to create a sort of surreal picture, yet keep the great colors from the sunset in the sky.

The Result:

BlendThe foreground now shows, almost in a surreal way, and the colors in the sky really stand out.

Bear in mind that this is the result of dropping 3 images in and spending maybe 30 seconds tinkering with a few sliders before processing. Given more time (and probably a better understanding of image editing than I have) you can create even more astounding results. My test simply shows that even in a matter of minutes with limited experience in photo editing, you can still create a good looking picture. For some examples that are more professional than I can offer at the moment, check out HDRsoft’s example pages here and here.

Before I wrap this up, let’s talk about the giveaway. As usual, constructive comments, suggestions, etc. about Photomatix Pro will earn you the chance to win your own copy of this great program. On October 23rd, I will randomly choose one commenter who will then be contacted with instructions on how to claim their free copy! In the meantime, head on over to HDRsoft and download a free trial today! Photomatix can also be purchased through the same website for $99. On to the breakdown!

The Breakdown:
Pros: Extremely easy to use, simple and uncluttered interface, easy enough for beginners to use and powerful enough for professionals to appreciate
Cons: Expensive (though not in comparison to tools such as Photoshop), somewhat limited feature set
The Verdict: If you’re a photographer, this is a handy tool to have. It is a bit more expensive and it does have a somewhat limited feature set, but it does what it’s designed to do with ease and produces good results. I’d recommend it for those who deal with photography and image editing regularly. For budding photographers like myself, I’d recommend holding off for now and focus on learning the basics first.