HDR fail!

[EZenki]

First off I know everyone is sick of HDR but I want to learn how to do it. Second, I read the sticky in photo techniques and honestly I think the tutorial on HDR was good but the picture that was presented as the final product was not so attractive. I know the process to convert to HDR but I don't know what you guys/gals use for "toning curve and histogram". Adjusting the radius and threshold is easy and that is all that was done in the sticky. However I think making the picture really magical is in the "toning curve and histogram". I know the curve that you use is based on a picture by picture basis but I could use some advice here. ex. I can get my car looking good but then the sky is washed out. I have seen some great HDR pics in this forum so I know that some of you guys/gals know what you are doing. Thanks in advance.

[btuner]

one word... photomatix

check out this group for some good examples
http://www.flickr.com/groups/photomatix/

[SCP_Celica]

I used it, I vouch its good.

Originally Posted by btuner

one word... photomatix

check out this group for some good examples
Flickr: Photomatix

[EZenki]

Perfect!!! Thank you very much!

[SaturnTypeR]

Photomatrix sucks because it leaves crap across the image..

[btuner]

Originally Posted by SaturnTypeR

Photomatrix sucks because it leaves crap across the image..

only in the unregistered version

[SaturnTypeR]

Originally Posted by btuner

only in the unregistered version

anyone have a registered one?

And what I think of HDR

[IncredibleHulk]

lmao wanna see a trick?