Photomatix Pro is an independent application, so no image editing software such as Photoshop is needed to use the software; however, an add-in for Lightroom and Capture One is included as part of its package.
Photomatix allows you to seamlessly combine multiple exposures into HDR images, tone mapping or fusion in a single step and apply various effects for enhanced results.
Easy to use
Photomatix is an outstanding HDR image creation software tool. Its intuitive interface makes HDR imagery creation effortless, offering a selection of effects to choose from as well as presets that make adjustments quick and simple for novice photographers or quick photo adjustments on specific images.
The interface is clean and well organized, featuring a help window with quick descriptions of each function for newcomers to HDR processing software. Furthermore, the vendor offers extensive resources such as manuals to help new users learn to use this program successfully.
Photomatix stands out by not requiring third-party image editing applications like Photoshop in order to function, making it a standalone software app on both Windows and Mac computers. Compatible with OS X versions 10.4 or later, Rosetta technology supports older Macs equipped with Intel processors as well.
Photomatix can seem complex at first, with all its dialogue boxes and controls, but with some quick tutorial videos and a comprehensive user manual you should quickly become proficient in its use. There are automatic working modes designed to save time tweaking various sliders and controls while manual modes offer greater control for those seeking greater precision in their images.
Once you know how to use the program, loading bracketed photos into it is a straightforward task. You have multiple options for merging single photos or processing batches at the same time with similar or unique settings for each file – from auto aligning them all, through presets, or unique options to reduce ghosting and artifacts.
Photomatix Pro makes photo editing simple for everyone from novice photographers to experts alike, from improving an old family photograph to producing artistic landscape shots. The software’s user-friendly interface makes it a powerful resource.
Powerful tools
Photomatix Pro offers powerful tools to quickly create HDR images for beginners, even beginners with no previous experience. Its features allow users to increase dynamic range, correct image ghosting, enhance detail, reduce noise levels, adjust contrast levels and sharpen images – including support for RAW files as well as batch processing. Furthermore, there are various presets that offer different artistic effects and styles as well as technical settings.
Photomatix offers two methods to process and merge exposure sequences: global and local mapping. Global mapping works quickly and produces good results; local mapping works per-pixel but produces more natural-looking results. Both techniques can be combined for maximum effect.
Photomatix’s latest release includes two advanced tone mapping algorithms: Details Enhancer and Tone Compressor. While the former provides precise control of final image results, Tone Compressor excels at smoothing out images with numerous details.
Customers new and old alike can take advantage of Photomatix’s new, simplified workflow to save time when opening and processing images. It’s easier than ever before, offering more settings options when customizing settings – download for free on Photomatix’s website now, compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP (the installer will detect whether the.NET framework has been installed).
Photomatix panorama software now makes it possible to directly load panoramic photos in 32-bit Radiance or OpenEXR formats, enabling you to stitch several exposure levels of one scene together before applying the Photomatix Pro tone mapping process and producing what is known as Stitch-then-HDR workflows.
Photomatix Pro remains one of the go-to choices for HDR imaging among professional photographers and amateur enthusiasts, thanks to its easy interface and comprehensive set of tools for producing stunning high-quality images. Though Photomatix has been available for quite some time now, Aurora HDR has recently gained some ground as an attractive alternative.
Streamlined workflow
Photomatix Pro has been around since almost the dawn of HDR photography. Offering both automatic and manual working modes for photographers looking for greater control, Photomatix Pro makes an excellent teaching tool, with books and websites dedicated to offering tutorials or screen shots showing its controls – but do note its steep learning curve.
Aurora HDR, its main competitor, offers more versatility. As both an HDR creation tool and photo editor, Aurora HDR boasts many Photoshop-esque features including layers and masks as well as more exporting options; in addition, Aurora offers local adjustments such as cropping, straightening, straightening out wrinkles in photos, enhancing detail by reducing noise, adjusting contrast as well as cropping (cropping doesn’t offer this functionality), but doesn’t provide the same level of de-ghosting (photomatix Pro does).
Both programs produce HDR photos from multiple source images that are combined and tone mapped for improved contrast, detail and tonality. Both RAW files or JPEGs may be processed; batch processing capabilities provide added efficiency when dealing with large numbers of pictures to process. Both standalone applications do not rely on host programs like Adobe Lightroom for operation.
Photomatix offers many advantages when it comes to tone mapping images, such as using their ICC color profiles for reduced ghosting and more natural results. Unfortunately, however, Photomatix doesn’t take account of Lightroom settings stored within XMP sidecar files and doesn’t take their settings into consideration either.
If you have many photos to edit, the Batch Process in Lightroom/Photoshop can assist by merging and tone mapping them all at the same time. After they are merged, further editing can take place within these programs if needed.
The program is compatible with both PCs and Mac computers, with each license key you purchase registering it on both platforms, so you can install it up to two different computers at the same time. However, you cannot transfer its registration if you switch platforms such as from Mac to Windows or vice-versa.
A new look
Photomatix Pro was initially released in 2003 and quickly become one of the go-to tools for high dynamic range (HDR) photography, offering all of the essential features necessary for HDR photographers: tone mapping, image alignment and ghost removal; RAW support; batch processing capabilities and an extensive presets selection.
The interface is user-friendly, featuring adjustment sliders on the left side and preset thumbnails on the right. Furthermore, an Explore mode provides easy access to different effects without opening up an entire plugin.
To start off, use the “Browse” button to select all of your bracketed photos and begin processing. Photomatix will then combine all exposures into one composite image that represents their best features while aligning and cropping the final result automatically.
Once the merged image is ready, you can save it as either a 32-bit TIFF or JPEG file and save as a 32-bit file format. Unlike other HDR software programs which create intermediate images of lower resolutions, this image will have exactly the same pixel dimensions as its source photos.
Photomatix Pro provides more than just HDR image creation; it also offers numerous post-processing options such as cropping, straightening, adjusting contrast/brightness/sharpening/noise reduction as well as local adjustments such as layers/brushes to let you tweak particular parts of an image.
One of the most exciting features is being able to generate a tone-mapped image from one of your Raw photos, giving you a glimpse at how the final product would look before embarking on a full HDR process.
Photomatix stands out from other HDR software by producing more natural results, which makes it suitable for landscape and architectural photographs as well as low-light conditions such as overcast conditions. While lacking Aurora HDR’s advanced editing features, Photomatix remains an effective option for anyone interested in producing high-quality HDR photos.
