Here is an exciting software package to create interesting effects with your photographs. HDR Soft (http://www.hdrsoft.com/) offers a software package called Photomatix, which combines a series of photographs into a single image while retaining the qualities of the individual photographs. Although the photographs appear surreal, they are actually not enhanced “lies” where improperly exposed photographs are enhanced through filters. Each photograph processed through Photomatix are unenhanced. The magic happens in layers within a system called High Dynamic Range, or HDR for short. Here is how it works in a nutshell.

The photograph depicted here was taken on Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana and was processed through tone mapping using HDR Soft Photomatix Pro.

Unlike using photo editing packages to enhance a single photograph, HDR involves combining a series of photographs. To do this, you will need to take three to five photographs at different shutter speeds. The best technique to use to obtain the series it to use bracketing. Bracketing involves taking a series of shots where the shutter speed variance is pre-determined. Once the bracketing feature is set, set the camera to take continuous shots and hold the shutter button down until you have taken the series. You will need to use a tripod or other reliable stabilization technique, such as sandbags, for this to work. Although the Pro version has an alignment option, it is best not to rely upon it for other than minor correction.

In the Pro edition, there are two options to process your photographs: Generate an HDR Image and Fuse Exposures. The Generate an HDR Image uses a process known as Tone Mapping to enhance the final image. This process adjusts the combination of the selected files to adjust the local contrasts in order to produce the desired effects. At first, the images are not fully enhanced. You can open the tone mapping feature to adjust the image to your liking. The Fuse Exposures option is used to create more realistic images. This option allows you to make detailed adjustments, but there are less drastic changes made to the contrast adjustments.

The greatest benefit to using HDR processing is the ability to take a combination of photographs where the shadows, midtones, and highlights are all combined to create an image that is evenly balanced. With this procedure, you can actually shoot from within shadows into a high contrast field and have both areas equally exposed. Although this process can be done with some fine enhancements in other photo processing applications, Photomatix is the only application that automates the process and generates high quality images.

Photomatix is not free, but it is available for download trial. You will be able to have full access to the application and all its features; however, the trial version will place a watermark over the final print. Nonetheless, once you have experimented with some photographs you will certainly be impressed with the features of this application.

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