HDR in PS CS4

[CNCO]

I want to start off by saying I am new to HDR. I am fascinated by it. I noticed that PS has a HDR option. File > Automate > Merge to HDR. Has anyone used it? I tried it with with an image that I had. I changed the exposure to +2 and
-2. Then I merged all 3 images together. I was not sure if order mattered in the final result but my outcome, I was not please with.

I am going to buy Photomatix to do HDR. What are you pro's using?

[TPF Sponsor]

[Provo]

This topic has been covered here multiple times. Here's a short summary of HDR Software.
* Photomatix Pro=Crowd Favorite
Artizen HDR
Easy HDR
Photogenics HDR
*Dynamic Photo HDR= 2nd choice

*HDR tutorial*:::=Good Resource=:::


FYI People this is what a well done HDR is supposed to look like not that crayola friendly pictures being uploaded lately here by some.
HDR Examples

[mudthirsty]

I agree.. that Stuckincustoms website is a great tutorial and has beautiful samples.

[mr sussex]

Are you sure you are doing it correctly?

You need more than one exposure to create an HDR photograph, from what you say, you are using only one.

[Big Mike]

hdr with one photo - Google Search