PhotomatixPro 3.1 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Photomatix Pro is a great tool if you take photos with a wide range of lighting in one scene, such as landscapes with deep shadows and brihgt skies, or buildings that cast a shadow. It lets you blend 3 (typically) images shot with exposures that are each about 2 stops apart. The resulting image has great shadow detail without blowing out the highlights -- much better than even a high end digital SLR can deliver. It handles both JPEGs and RAW file. You can save files as TIFFs or JPEGS (but not PSD, DNG or RAW).
It's simple to use in its automatic mode, but you really do benefit if you read the manual, which you can download from the company's website. I think most buyers just get this via a download from the company's site, and you an find discount coupons on the web that give you 15% off. Be sure to get the right version for your operating system.
Edit added 9/29/09: The on-line help and downloaded manual are useful to get started, but if you really get into this, buy "The HDRI Handbook" by Christian Bloch. Chapter 4.3 and 4.4 are superb explanations of excatly how to use the controld you have in Photomatix.

Click Here to see more reviews about: PhotomatixPro 3.1

Click here for more information about PhotomatixPro 3.1

Read More...

Tiffen DFXFCV2 Dfx Digital Filter Software V2 Plug-in for Apple Final Cut Pro - Macintosh only Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)BE WARNED!! If you have Dfx V1 and you upgrade to Snow Leopard and the new Final Cut Studio you may end up with what Tiffen now deems a "semi-compatible" combination. In other words Dfx V1 will crash Final Cut!! The solution offered by Tiffen is to purchase the V2 upgrade for another $150. They apparently are not supporting the original V1 packages even though people like myself spent nearly $600 for it not more than a year ago. In my book, that is totally unacceptable. You've been warned.....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tiffen DFXFCV2 Dfx Digital Filter Software V2 Plug-in for Apple Final Cut Pro - Macintosh only

Click here for more information about Tiffen DFXFCV2 Dfx Digital Filter Software V2 Plug-in for Apple Final Cut Pro - Macintosh only

Read More...

HDR Efex Pro - Academic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got the Academic version of the software and it's the same as the full version, all you need is a .edu email address to confirm your eligibility and the product key will be emailed in a day or two, in the meantime you can start using the free 15 day trial from Nik's website.
The presets (specially the custom) make it easier to repeat a certain look.
Tip, if using Lightroom to export images to HDR Efex. Go to the settings in HDR and uncheck "stack with first image", It's easier to find the final HDR image and it will be imported at the beginning of the bracketed sequence as a Tiff.
Overall very happy with the software, specially the localized adjustments (control points) Can't go wrong.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HDR Efex Pro - Academic

Click here for more information about HDR Efex Pro - Academic

Read More...

Photomatix Pro Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am a HDR newbie, I never thought I would be diving into HDR so quickly (didn't even know what it was a month ago). This program makes it so easy to transform your photos. I have a nikon D200, D5000 and Olympus e-pl1, and I have achieved astonishing photos, adding this technique, photos are jaw-dropping. I have had some many compliments to my photos, and even friends asking me to help them achieve the same wonderful photos. This is a very insteresting technique. Once you have your shot taken with at least 3 different exposures then you will merge the 3 photos into HDR image, and then next step of the program is tone mapping to reveal highlights & shadows details in HDR image. The results will AMAZE you.
One note, you can download this software's trail version for free to see if you like it, that is what I did. You can use it indefinetely (not 30 days like most), but it will leave a watermark on your finished project, but at least you can play with it before spending $100.
**If you don't have a camera that can take 3 different exposures or you having a moving target that you can't, you can take one photo and then manipulate 2 new exposures with a software program, or even Windows photo gallery. It is not "true" hdr, but it gives similar results. I took some photos of my niece walking down the aisle at an outside wedding on a beautiful day. I couldnt do the 3 diffenet exposures with my camera because of the movement (even a second in time makes a difference of the photo you take), so I manipulated 2 new exposures afterwards and then used this program. The results were amazing, the sky alone with the clouds and sun shinning thru looked 3D.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Photomatix Pro

Click here for more information about Photomatix Pro

Read More...