Philly Cathedral - and a Photomatix Question

[llewpics]

I was on a business trip to Philadelphia last week. I took this shot with my portable Sony camera set to auto bracketing (just got it for my wife last week). I did this HDR in Photomatix and quite like it. First of all, what do you think of the pic? I don't know why I like it, but I do ...Secondly, as you can see, it has Photomatix stamped all over it - because I am trying it ...what is your opinion of the program? Is it worth the $? I have Dynamic HDR and have like it so far - but Photomatix does some different stuff ...and the alignment / anti-ghosting seems to be great ...thanks!

[arne saknussen]

This is a very good shot and very good PP. I know that some people will not like it so much merely because it is HDR. But it is very sharp and clear (maybe the signs need a little sharpening).

[armando_m]

I like it too
I have the licence of photomatix, after trying othe hdr programs, oloneo , hdr effex, I think photomatix is better
Aligning and antigosting do work but if you want high image quality do your bracketing with a solid tripod , and expect to do some additional processing.

[crusty]

I use photomatix for my bike shots, and have had great luck with it. In fact I just upgraded to the version 4 yesterday, and it looks like they've improved it even more.

[clayhaus]

I also agree that Photomatix is the king of HDR apps: well-worth the price and I have been using almost daily for 2.5+ years. Regarding the image, it is too illustrative for my tastes, but play with the techniques (try out exposure fusion mode) and settle into a style for your photography.

[OldClicker]

Maybe a little too much tone mapping, but I like the affect. I think I would straighten some of the lens distortion though. - Terry

[LeeIs]

The red signs make this pop. I agree with OC, maybe too much for my liking also. The perspective can also be corrected, unless you want this bottom up look. This makes the door grander as it seems we're looking up to it.

For photomatrix. I bought it a long time ago and it just wasn't working for me. So I left it alone. it's just sitting there now. I might use it from time to time, but I've found the perfect HDR app for me in NIK HDR. It's just a lot more user friendly i think and works great. I'd advice maybe give it a try. They have a trial version that does NOT put watermarks on your work.

[gahspidy]

I agree that its heavy on the tone mapping, but it works in that way of giving it a cartoonish feel. The signs and the light from the entrance make this really.

I agree with Terry about perspective and distortion adjustments Nicely framed