HDR in lightroom 3 or CS5

[woody0582010]

Do you need to install a separate program like Photomatrix in Lightroom 3 or CS5

 

[Dezigns Unlimited]

CS5 is more than capable of doing HDR photo's on it's own if im not mistaken.. you still may want to get some plugins though..

 

[woody0582010]

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Steve]

For HDR probably CS5 over Lightroom but if your only interested in HDR consider Photomatix Pro 4.0 from HDR Soft.

It only does HDR and Tone Mapping but it does it very, very well.
You can download a trial version.

 

[Gaussian]

CS5 introduced some nice new HDR capabilities, but Photomatix still does it better.

 

[woody0582010]

Thanks Steve,I may try the trial version when I figure out CS5 and Lightroom 3.

 

[woody0582010]

Thanks Gaussian, I was wondering if CS5 is as good as Photomatrix.

 

[KRF]

Thanks Gaussian, I was wondering if CS5 is as good as Photomatrix.

IMO do not use LightRoom 3, Just cos I didn't like it, but on the other hand, just cos I don't like something doesn't mean you wont like it.

I fould lightroom to be to messy with it's GUI, so I stoped using it.

 

[Dezigns Unlimited]

I fould lightroom to be to messy with it's GUI, so I stoped using it.

Your not the first person ive heard say that before... is it really that bad?

 

[Steve]

Thanks Steve,I may try the trial version when I figure out CS5 and Lightroom 3.

Lightroom doesn't do HDR, Photoshop does.
An HDR image is an image processed in such a way as to to combine more than one images into an image that combines all of the shadow and highlight details of all of the images, in one HDR image.

This HDR image by itself is useless without tone mapping which compresses the extremes of the HDR image into a merged LDR image.

Photoshop has been able to create HDR files for a while, but no tone mapping, you needed a 3rd party plug-in for that.

CS5 introduces HDR Pro and finally added tone mapping.

It's a giant leap forward and lets you complete the whole process inside Photoshop without a plug-in.

HDR Pro is very good so if the question is "Photoshop CS5 or Lightroom 3 for HDR", the answer is Photoshop CS5.

If the question is what's the best way to create and process an HDR file, Photomatrix 4 is better than Photoshop CS5.

 

[KRF]

Your not the first person ive heard say that before... is it really that bad?

All I can say is try it, I was thinking of getting it even after I got Photoshop CS4, so I tried the Beta, and didn't like it, then I tried it after it was GMd, and still didn't like it, it reminded me of Photoshop Eliments 7 dark and cold, and just trying to find thing's (tools) was a task as well, the work flow was ban IMO, so after about 3 days, I stoped using it and uninstalled it from my computer.

 

[woody0582010]

Steve,thank you for your reply. You answered my question, It looks like i will want Photomatrix eventually.

 

[Steve]

My pleasure

You can download a 30 day trial of Photoshop or Lightroom.
It's fully functional and you can save your work.

You can download a trial of Photomatrix here.
Fully functional but it will watermark your saves.

 

[mooquu]

Ive been experimenting with HDR toning and composite images lately, ill post them soon!

 

[Steve]

Looking forward to it.