My Software Tool Box

I often get asked what I use and how I use it.... The good ol' "How'd you do that?" question. Well, I'm happy to share, and this is where you can find all of the tools that I use to capture and process my photos. I'm sill building it, but I will be providing links to each item and discount codes if I can get them. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! 


HDR
Photomatix Pro

With ALL of my High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photos, I use this tone mapping software to combine the multiple exposures (and even single exposers) that I take. I don't do any HDR photos without this software. If you're just starting out, this is a MUST! They have an unlimited FREE trail to "test drive" as long as you want. Once you're ready to save your image without their watermark (which is the only way to save in the trail version), use my coupon code and save 15%.

 use coupon code
JimmyBatte 
at checkout 
Full price $99.00 w/ coupon code JimmyBatte = $84.15
Also save 15% on all of the other Photomatix tools using JimmyBatte at checkout!






HDR Efex Pro 2
NEWLY Released! 
Have been dabbling in Nik Software's NEW HDR processing software. It's a strong contender to Photomatix Pro that I typically use. Wanted to update this to let you decide what you want. Nik is also letting me offer you 15% off by just clicking through the banner with my embedded savings code or just use Batteman87 at checkout! 

Photoshop Elements 10
PSE 10 is a MUST! 
Photoshop Elements is a MUST! I have PSE10, any will and should work. Nik and Topaz offer plug-ins and some stand alone software. But to get the most out of your images and to be able to do all that you want to do, start here! 


Topaz




Nik Software
New Version
Viveza 2



HDR Starter Recipe & Tools 

Here is my typical HDR workflow and the software that I use. I have provided links to all of the ones I use the most.

  1. Photomatix Pro Tone-map 3 Exposures at -2, 0, +2. Save as an 8-bit tiff.
  2. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Open 8-bit tiff tone-mapped image and create a duplicate a layer.
  3. Topaz DeNoise (PSE10 Plug-in) Apply "Jpeg Strong" to reduce any noise/grainy appearance.
  4. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate the DeNoise layer.
  5. Topaz Adjust 5  (PSE10 Plug-in) Depending on the image & look I want, I apply this plug-in. If I'm not happy with the image in Adjust, I will run it through Topaz Simplify or Topaz Clean. OR I will use Nik Software Color eFex Pro 3.0 (4.0 New Version) to obtain the look that I like.
  6. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Create a blank layer and add my watermark.
  7. I then save it as a .psd to play with later, or a jpeg (medium size) to upload to the web.





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