Hydra from Creaceed is one of the easiest-to-use HDR (High Dynamic Range) image rendering applications I have seen for the Mac.
HDR images combine multiple images, each taken with a different exposure, into a single image that has a color and exposure range that is very close to what the human eye sees. For example, have you ever taken a picture of the interior of your home that included a view out a window? Chances are the window in your picture was nothing but blown-out highlights, just a whitish smear. An HDR image of the same scene would render the interior of the room and the window view with equal clarity, the same way that you see it in real life.
Hydra makes a complicated process simple. Just import the images you wish to use. Hydra will automatically align them and then perform the HDR processing, with limited input from you. Of course, if you like to get your hands dirty, you can click on the ‘Pro’ button and access all of Hydra’s controls.
Hydra is a standalone application that can also work with iPhoto, Aperture, and Adobe Lightroom. The package also includes a plug-in version of Hydra for Aperture.
Hydra is $79.95. A limited demo is available.
See other software choices from Tom’s Budget Software Picks.