HDR (High Dynamic Range) has become a very popular technique in processing files, especially landscapes. I find it is also useful in city and architecture images, as the geometric shapes and blocks of color seem comfortable with the strong results of HDR processing.
This is an image of the Eaton’s Center in Toronto. I used the popular software program Photomatix Pro to process it. This technique can turn out garish and surrealistic if you are not careful. I normally reduce the default settings to keep it under control. In general I prefer an HDR image without the typical “HDR look”.
My typical Photomatix settings might be as follows under the “Detail Enhancer” method:
Hit the default button and then reduce “Strength” to 65, “”Color Saturation” to 40 . Occasionally I will make a separate TIF file with the “Tone Compressor” method and use it as a layer over the”Detail Enhancer” TIF. Adjust the layer opacity as you like.
