![hdr efex pro hdr efex pro](https://www.nikonpassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/hdr_efex_pro2_interface_1-1.jpg)
Notice the lack of clarity in the HDR Efex Pro detail compared to the one from Photomatix Pro. By contrast, the Photomatix Pro image overall is a bit lighter and the colors are much more accurate. It was necessary to dim it down this much in order to eliminate the glow.
![hdr efex pro hdr efex pro](https://www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-07-at-7.58.38-PM-2-680x382.png)
The other thing to notice is that the overall image is darker than ideal for this image. For a better look at the color quality click on the two full-size images to open larger versions of those images. But notice the exaggerated green in the plants at the foot of the window. This oversaturation is present in the stained glass although this might be hard to discern unless you’ve seen the actual glass. You can see the oversaturation problems more clearly in the overall image. First, notice the fringe of red/orange at the top, outer edges of the yellow border of the HDR Efex Pro image. Eventually, I was able to get rid of almost all of the glow but this came at the expense of color quality. In both programs it was difficult to get rid of the halo but quite a bit harder in HDR Efex Pro. The details show the most problematic area, the white rose at the top. Here is a pair of images showing the results of processing in HDR Efex Pro and in Photomatix Pro. But I had to spend a good deal of time in HDR Efex Pro trying HDR Methods and tweaking sliders to remove the halos and even then the overall image quality suffered. I was able to deal with the problem more effectively in Photomatix Pro. My biggest problem with HDR Efex Pro was with unwanted glows/halos in a couple of photos I took recently. It would be great to be able to detach the loupe to the second monitor, increase its size, and set its zoom level. There is a loupe panel but it is a fixed size, about 250 pixels x 150 pixels, and its magnification level is preset so it is of limited usefulness.
![hdr efex pro hdr efex pro](http://www.lifeafterphotoshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/hdrefexlandscape-01.jpg)
After choosing a zoom level clicking on the zoom control will toggle you between the selected zoom level and a fit-to-window zoom level (whatever fits on your monitor). You can set the zoom level to one of five values: 400%, 200%, 100%, 50% & 25%. The lack of a hand pan control (you have to drag around the rectangle in the Navigator window) and the lack of a standard zoom tool are annoying. This makes it easy to make a precise, controlled adjustment in Photoshop and would be nice to have in HDR Efex Pro where the only UI control method is to drag the sliders. After playing with it a bit I discovered that it apparently compares a preset with any changes that you subsequently make.Ī feature that is wonderful in Photoshop, but lacking here, is the ability to use the keyboard arrow keys to nudge a slider by one increment (or larger increments by holding down Shift while pressing an arrow key).
Hdr efex pro manual#
Initially, I was puzzled about what the latter two display modes are actually comparing and the manual was no help. There is also an ability to choose single image, split preview, and side-by-side previews. Being able to hide the preset and adjustment panels is handy to give you more screen real estate. HDR Efex Pro has a more polished interface than Photomatix Pro and is more attractive and nicer to work with. Attractive User Interface but with Annoyances I’ll be adding a review of Photomatix Pro soon so check back for that.
Hdr efex pro software#
But after testing HDR Efex Pro during a two-week free trial I came to the conclusion that I probably purchased the right software for my needs. HDR Efex Pro is a favorite of RC Concepcion and other notables in the digital photography world and when I learned this I wondered if I had made a mistake by purchasing Photomatix Pro.
Hdr efex pro update#
Update 10/8/11: I’ve taken a second, more comprehensive look at HDR Efex Pro and have posted a second review.