[RustyBrown]

2 Cents

Trey, I know you addressed Arlon, but I think I can answer your questions. I've been using Photomatix for the better part of two years now. The grayish contrasty HDR look is generally a function of the strength slider in the program. You can go full as I did on the Baltimore Bridge I did with the canvas texture or light as I did with the recent seascape from Bolivar. My personal taste is on the cusp of "is it or isn't it". It can be don with almost any viable image.

I did a tutorial here if your interested...

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=106568

 

[RustyBrown]

Thanks Rusty, I just downloaded the software and got Noise Ninja also. I have a bunch of stuff I hope to start working with.

Those are the only two I own outside of CS2. NN is a great program, but be aware as with all NR software sharpness suffers. There's no substitute for a correctly exposed shot that fills the fram at low ISO - amen.