I am sorry for the dumb Question....BUT

[Inked Photography]

Photomatix.....What is it? How do you get it? Is it a plug-in?
Lightroom? Same questions.

Are these two tools neccessary for HDR photo's?

[Jason Hermann]

Photomatix Is a program used to combined multiple exposed photographs into 1 HDR image. You can purchase it on-line at Download HDR photo software Photomatix

I use it, because I think it's the best program out there for HDR photography. Is it necessary? no as there are a # of programs that can be used. They do make a plugin version for PS as well, but I use the stand alone version.

Best,
Jay

[g-man]

I prefer Dynamic Photo HDR to Photomatix. It has some useful things like the sky filter so you can still push your processing without getting all that noise in the sky.

Dynamic Photo HDR, high dynamic range imaging software with Anti-Ghosting

[Inked Photography]

Is HDR considered a specialty? As in something that one specializes in? Or is it considered to be a pp tool?

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Inked Photography

Is HDR considered a specialty? As in something that one specializes in? Or is it considered to be a pp tool?

It's just another technique for balancing exposures that are usually beyond a sensor's ability to capture what the eye sees.

[Inked Photography]

Is it safe to say that it is used a lot in advertising to catch attention?

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Inked Photography

Is it safe to say that it is used a lot in advertising to catch attention?

HDR = High Dynamic Range. It's just a technique to go beyond the typical 5 stop range of a sensor and closer to the 11-13 stop range of your eye. Basically the whites aren't blown out and the shadows aren't black blobs of nothing.

It's irrelevant where it's used.

[Inked Photography]

Thanks...I understand now
So its really a matter of personal preference and what your goal is for a particular image.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Inked Photography

Thanks...I understand now
So its really a matter of personal preference and what your goal is for a particular image.

Isn't that what it's all about to begin with?

Do some Google searches or wander through here a bit and read.

[Inked Photography]

Will do....I have been seeing more images in HDR and was curious. I like learning new techniques and improving. But I will always be Inked..........

[mcbit]

It seems to me that where Photomatix has the advantage is in Tone Mapping. PS does HDR by itself and produces good results. However a lot of images touted as HDR are heavily Tone Mapped which produces some of the odd graphic effects which you will observe in many of the images posted in the HDR section here.