HDR Expose 2

My search continues to find a suitable replacement for HDR Photo Pro.  I have likes the results of the software, (see http://tomwinfieldphoto.blogspot.com/2012/09/rio-grande-road-to-taos.html) but there have been crashing problems and lack of updates.  Recently I updated a trial copy I have of HDR Expose 2 by Unified Color. 

First, must comment about the update.  Just a month or two ago since I downloaded and installed the software.  There was an update which I installed, and it gave me an additional 7 days of trial time.  Since I process much of my photos from camera RAW, updates can be important (new cameras need new RAW processing).

The big problem I had with HDR Expose 2 was getting a good image alignment.  Most of my HDR photos are created from 3 exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) and HAND HELD.  I do not take a tripod on my bicycle to shoot trail photos.  Many of my shots are also taken while stopping along the road.

HDR Expose has 3 different alignment schemes.  I tried all three with varying results.  All were unacceptable.  At this time, I stopped the test as the software does not fit my needs. Did not try to enhance the color.  Here's the best alignment I was able to get with the hand held photo.

HDR Expose 2 sells for $149.00.

Rio Grande & Road to Taos

Rio Grande River just downstream from the Rio Grande Gorge.  "Low" road to Taos in the distance.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i   f/9 at 1/160 sec    18,0 mm, aperture priority, ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from camera RAW by HDR Photo Pro and Photoshop Elements 9.

Trail 4 Artistic Rendition

This is the same photo stylized with Topaz Labs Simplify 4 plug-in.

Trail 4

Trail 4 in Nine Mile Forest near Wausau, WI.  A relaxing singletrack ride in the pine woods.

Canon PowerShot S95   f/4.5 ay 1/50 sec  6.0 mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures 9+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed by HDR Photo Pro and Photoshop Elements 9.

Mountain-Bay Trail

Mountain Bay Trail runs 83 miles from Weston to Green Bay in Wisconsin.  "Mountain" comes from Rib Mountain which is in the area.  This artistic treatment of the original HDR photo was accomplished by Topaz Labs Simplify 4.  The bicycle is my Trek Fuel EX7 trail bike.

Canon PowerShot S95   f/7.1 at 1/200 sec   6.0 mm,  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed by HDR Photo Pro, Photoshop Elements 9, and Topaz Labs Simplify 4.

Bikes & Beer

Beer is a staple of the mountain biking community.  And not just any beer, preference is for craft brews.  Fat Bikes (bicycle on the left) are gaining in popularity.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i    f/7.1 at 1/160 sec   28 mm  ISO 100  Aperture Priority  Processed from RAW by ACR 6.4 and Photoshop Elements 9

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon is called the "Grand Canyon of Texas".  The state park is located outside of Amarillo, 

Canon EOS Rebel T1i   f/7.1 @ 1/400 sec  Aperture priority. 10.0 mm (Tamron SP AF-10-24 lens)  ISO 100   Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed with HDR Photo Pro