photomatrix vs PhotoShop

[poker_jake]

I currently use ps cs5 for hdr but have heard good things about photomatrix. Is it much better than ps cs5?

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

Yes

/thread

 

[vipgraphx]

Waayyy better

 

[poker_jake]

What makes it better?

 

[Compaq]

I've never bothered trying to figure out how to get a good HDR merge in Photoshop, or how to tonemap in there. I use Photomatix - and happily!

 

[vipgraphx]

What makes it better?

what makes it better is that it is an actual program dedicated to HDR merging while photo shop is not. Photoshop does have the capability to do it but it does not do it as well. Photomatix also allows you do make custom presets and also as fusion in the software that is very useful.

Keep in mind photomatix is just used for the merge and about 50-80% done photo shop is to finish up the processing.

 

[Trever1t]

I've tried both and yes, Photomatix makes it POP! My results were similar to yours using CS5.

 

[poker_jake]

Thanks all, going to have to give photomatix a shot

 

[Trever1t]

it's really pretty simple to use, you can't go wrong as long as you have the right exposures.

 

[Bynx]

Photomatix does the job of creating the HDR tone mapped image. Photoshop then brings it to life. In my opinion you cannot get a great image without the use of both. But I would never use Photoshop to do the HDR with.