Comparing different outputs of HDR using Photomatix

Photomatix Pro (trial) HDR of Big White using 3 bracketed images

I played with the trial version of Photomatix (you can see the watermarks in the image) again and produced an HDR image using three bracketed photos.  Older versions of the program required using jpegs, but version 7 could import the images directly from raw format.  If you compare the above shot to the other one I did (see this blog), you will notice that the above image is more realistic in its appearance.  

Photomatix allows you to pick the degree of surrealism desired.  I chose a high degree of surrealism for the image below - you can see how different it is below.

Same image as above, only I used a different blending method to achieve the result.

The surrealistic image certainly has a different feeling to it from the more naturalized one above it.  The sharp contrast and saturation appeal to me on an artistic level.  I redid the image to achieve a different effect by using the vibrant preset.  You can see that below.

HDR using Photomatix refined with the vibrant setting.

Of the three images, which one do you prefer? First, Second, or Third?

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com



 

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