Have you snapped some lower resolution images with your smartphone and you'd like to give them a little (make that BIG) kick to catch all the attention on social media? Here's a 2-minute trick to go from flat to fabulous. Whether you are an amateur or a pro photographer, we all end up taking pictures with our iPhone or Android at some point. It's always with us, always ready, even when we are not! Understand that I do personally prefer taking pictures with my camera when I plan to take some. Sometimes, however, wonderful and unexpected things … [Read more...] about JPEG editing: from “oh …” to “OMG!” with Aurora HDR 2019
aurora HDR
Combo superpower: Using Luminar 3 and Aurora HDR 2019 together
Whether it be for outdoor images or oppositely poorly lit indoor ones, combining the power of both Aurora and Luminar in my editing workflow helps me achieve looks that would otherwise be impossible to get. Here are two recent pictures example I did with two different lighting conditions. Example 1: The breezy sunrise Picture yourself: It's 6:30 in the morning and you are in the middle of a vast area surrounded, wind and snow and below zero temperature. The sun isn't up yet but a bunch of courageous athletes is already warming up to take on … [Read more...] about Combo superpower: Using Luminar 3 and Aurora HDR 2019 together
Bringing depth to a long exposure with Aurora HDR 2019
Back in August, I went out to the lakeshore — Grand Haven, MI to be exact — with hopes to photograph the waves and sunset coming in. It was at the tail end of a wind storm that lasted a few days, and this was my second trip out to the lakeshore to capture it. But that night, the waves were a bit more subdued. And, just my luck, it started to get really hazy. My goal of photographing the Grand Haven lighthouse with the sunset in the background wasn't meant to be. So I decided to change my approach. I was out photographing with Olympus … [Read more...] about Bringing depth to a long exposure with Aurora HDR 2019
Aerial HDR Photography using a UAV with Aurora HDR 2019, part 2
This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 2 of 2. Read part 1. In this 2 part article, we're going to explore creating a 3 image HDR in Aurora 2019. I’m using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW shooting AEB (auto exposure bracketing) mode taking 3 photographs. One challenge in shooting multiple exposures with a drone is that there can be a slight change of position between the photographs, even at faster shutter speeds because of GPS drift, wind, and other variables. Because of this, I will use a high ghost … [Read more...] about Aerial HDR Photography using a UAV with Aurora HDR 2019, part 2
How to NOT ruin real estate HDR’s
I recently bought a house, so I was looking at loads of real estate pictures. Most are simply informative pictures, and most are made with a smartphone. Real estate pictures can be fun to make, however, and when done well they can help sell a house more quickly. HDR is a great tool to make good real estate photos, but if you let your imagination run away you can end up with a picture that belongs more on a movie poster than the MLS. Let me share a few ideas to help you make the most of your HDR's for real estate. Time of day As with all … [Read more...] about How to NOT ruin real estate HDR’s
Aerial HDR Photography using a UAV with Aurora HDR 2019, part 1
This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 1 of 2. In this 2 part article, we're going to explore creating a 3 image HDR merge in Aurora HDR 2019. I’m using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW shooting AEB (auto exposure bracketing) mode taking 3 photographs. One challenge in shooting multiple exposures with a drone is that there can be a slight change of position between the photographs, even at faster shutter speeds because of GPS drift, wind, and other variables. Because of this, I will use a high ghost … [Read more...] about Aerial HDR Photography using a UAV with Aurora HDR 2019, part 1
Finishing color photos for perfect tones in black and white
Like many of you, I started photography learning to shoot and process black and white in high school. It was amazing to see a photograph materialize in the chemicals, and it was incredible how much detail I could see in the scenes. Back then I only shot 35mm Tri-X film, but the tones and contrasts were captivating. Now, using tone mapping on a single image I can get similar tones. The details Aurora HDR 2019 can reveal are incredible. I'll use this panorama from Montana to show demonstrate. I shot it with a 200mm lens on my Lumix … [Read more...] about Finishing color photos for perfect tones in black and white
Save big on Luminar and Aurora HDR
See all the Cyber Monday deals and our favorite gifts in our Holiday Gift Guide! Now's the perfect chance to get some great Skylum software at a discounted price. Skylum is offering sales on both Luminar and Aurora HDR products. Deals are available through Nov. 28, 2018. Luminar 2018 Luminar is a great all-in-one editing tool, offering RAW processing filters like you're used to, but also tools like Accent AI Filter, AI Sky Enhancer, Foliage Enhancer, Sunrays and more. New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for just $49 through … [Read more...] about Save big on Luminar and Aurora HDR
Understanding and creating Aurora HDR 2019 Looks
Think of Aurora's Looks like a recipe you would find in a cookbook. You follow the instructions describing how to combine ingredients, prepare the food and then cook it to make a meal. Along the way, you learned how each ingredient affected the flavor. You experiment by adding or removing ingredients and now the recipe has become your own. Sounds delicious right? Well, instead of a cooking lesson, that's the concept behind understanding and create Aurora HDR Looks. What are Aurora HDR Looks Aurora HDR Looks are made up filters whose settings … [Read more...] about Understanding and creating Aurora HDR 2019 Looks
Using LUTs in Aurora HDR 2019
You’ll find Aurora HDR 2019 at a special price along with a bundle of training videos, Looks, and LUTs designed for Photofocus readers, here. The new Aurora HDR 2019 offers you many new features one of which is the ability to use LUTs in processing your photographs. In this article, I'm going to take a look at the new feature and I will be using this image with Aurora HDR 2019 initial processing on it, but I will not make any other changes. Then I will apply 9 different look up tables or LUTs to it so you can see how much variety LUTs can … [Read more...] about Using LUTs in Aurora HDR 2019
Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 2
This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 2 of 2. You'll find part 1 of this article here. In this 2 part article, I'm going to show you how you can enhance a single image in Aurora 2019. I'm using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW. One of the challenges with the DJI DNG RAW is that it can take a lot more work to create a good looking photograph from it. I was very interested to see how Aurora 2019 handled this challenge. Let's take a look. Full disclosure: I received a copy of Aurora HDR 2019 for review … [Read more...] about Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 2
Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 1
This article consists of 2 parts. This is part 1 of 2. In this 2 part article, I'm going to show you how you can enhance a single image in Aurora HDR 2019. I'm using RAW photographs from my Inspire 2 X5S camera shot in DNG RAW. One of the challenges with the DJI DNG RAW is that it can take a lot more work to create a good looking photograph from it. I was very interested to see how Aurora 2019 handled this challenge. Let's take a look. Full disclosure: I received a copy of Aurora HDR 2019 for review purposes. As always, I am giving you … [Read more...] about Drone aerials single exposure HDR with Aurora 2019, part 1
Weekly Wrap-Up: Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2018
Welcome to a brand new feature — the Weekly Wrap-Up — a compendium of some of the articles published this week on Photofocus. Flickr to end 1 TB of free storage, limit free accounts to 1,000 photos Flickr has announced massive changes to its account offerings, taking effect this coming January. In April, SmugMug purchased Flickr, which sparked a “months-long effort to listen to its members and understand what Flickr needed to thrive and evolve.” Read more... Exclusive: What’s in store for Olympus? This year at PhotoPlus Expo, all the rage … [Read more...] about Weekly Wrap-Up: Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2018
How to make real estate interiors with HDR in 9 steps
Making real estate pictures can be a lot of fun and even profitable. The thing is, you can easily spend way too much shooting and finishing them to make it worth your time or worth the realtor's time to hire you. Or maybe you're a realtor and you need to make these kinds of pictures for your client. Either way, using HDR is the fastest way to get great looking real estate photos. Here are ten tips to shoot them fast and finish them fast so you don't turn real estate photography into a money pit. 1. Shoot on a tripod You need to use a tripod … [Read more...] about How to make real estate interiors with HDR in 9 steps
Learn how to get the most from Aurora HDR 2019’s Detail Boost filter
The improved HDR Details Boost filter in Aurora HDR 2019 improves image sharpness without increasing digital noise, creating unnatural ghosting or halos in an image. Here’s how apply this powerful tool to improve the quality of your images. Understanding the HDR Details Boost sliders The HDR Details Boost filter has 5 sliders, Small, Medium, Large, Protect and Masking. Each setting can be used alone or in combination with the others. Fight your first instinct to move all the sliders around and see what happens. Instead, experiment and … [Read more...] about Learn how to get the most from Aurora HDR 2019’s Detail Boost filter
How to get perfect detail and tones in environmental portraits
Making pictures of people who are good at their craft while they are doing their craft is one of the best subjects you can ever find. They are passionate, you are passionate, and the pictures always turn out well. When I make environmental portraits, I do my best to control the light. However, since I'm invading someone's space and interrupting their day, it's best to be as quick as possible. That means that I never get to set up four lights with gels and grids to highlight and isolate the interesting stuff. Fortunately, you can use tone … [Read more...] about How to get perfect detail and tones in environmental portraits
Get the most from your photo; use a single frame in Aurora HDR 2019
Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save plus get a free bundle of training, LUTs and Looks too! Aurora HDR 2019 has a significant update: It's got artificial intelligence. Using the new Quantum HDR engine, it actually analyzes your photo to see what kind of picture it is and what sorts of adjustments it will need. It's amazing. Normally, we think of using HDR software on a bracket of images all made at different exposures. But Aurora HDR 2019 is able to make even your single photo look … [Read more...] about Get the most from your photo; use a single frame in Aurora HDR 2019
Aurora HDR 2019 available now… Yes, it’s shipping
Aurora HDR 2019, Skylum's latest update to its venerable HDR software, has officially been released. The update lets you easily apply and customize HDR looks to both bracketed sets and single images. New to the 2019 update are several features, including a new tone-mapping technology powered by Skylum's Quantum HDR Engine, a new HDR Smart Structure, a new LUT Mapping filter as well as 11 new integrated color grading sets to use with the LUT Mapping Filter. It also features improvements to the HDR Details Boost filter, Adjustable Gradient … [Read more...] about Aurora HDR 2019 available now… Yes, it’s shipping
Aurora HDR 2019 bootcamp video and last minute pre-order savings
Richard Harrington has created a great deep dive into Aurora HDR 2019. It covers how to make these great enhancements for single image long exposures, single image environmental portraits, and bracketed exposure landscapes. Time is almost up to pre-order Aurora HDR 2019. Act now to get a special price on Aurora HDR 2019 – CLICK HERE. Pre-order today and you'll receive a special bonus pack described at the end of this post. This offer is only good for a very limited time. Single Image Long Exposure Single Image Environmental … [Read more...] about Aurora HDR 2019 bootcamp video and last minute pre-order savings
Photofocus exclusive bundle of Aurora HDR 2019 + bonus videos, looks, textures and more
Your chance to pre-order Aurora HDR 2019 is almost up. The software is scheduled to ship on October 4, 2018, to those who've placed an advanced order. As a big thank you for supporting our site, we've got a collection of goodies. If you place an order and fill out this form, we'll send you a bunch of free stuff. A texture pack with 22 high-res textures Try adding these as a layer and use blending modes for all new looks. These are perfect to unlock a whole new look in your HDR image. A bundle of 25 creative LUTs Use with the new … [Read more...] about Photofocus exclusive bundle of Aurora HDR 2019 + bonus videos, looks, textures and more
The Traveling Photographer — Route 66 meets Aurora 2019
Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save plus get a free bundle of training, LUTs and Looks too! What do Route 66 and Aurora 2019 have in common? Both provide countless opportunities for enthusiastic photographers to explore the realms of High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. Why? Because high contrast subjects, such as vintage buildings shot under a mid-day sun, night scenes with neon signs, and magical landscapes photographed during the golden hour are the heart and soul of Route 66 and of … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer — Route 66 meets Aurora 2019
How I use the new Aurora HDR 2019 for NON-landscape photography
Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save plus get a free bundle of training, LUTs and Looks too! I don’t shoot landscapes (like, never, ever). So when the Skylum’s team asked us to give it a try on their Aurora HDR 2019 update, I wasn’t sure what I could write about. My amazing editor, Kevin, told me the articles didn’t have to be super long - and I just had to stay true to myself. So I thought about this big CrossFit event I covered a few days earlier. We were outdoors and the lighting conditions … [Read more...] about How I use the new Aurora HDR 2019 for NON-landscape photography
Taking advantage of Aurora’s new Quantum HDR Engine for bracketed images
Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save plus get a free bundle of training, LUTs and Looks too! To explain why Aurora HDR 2019’s new Quantum HDR Engine is such a big deal, we need to understand why it’s needed and how it’s powerful engine is making HDR processing faster with better results. If you’re an old HDR pro, skip to the “What’s so special about the New Quantum HDR Engine?” sections to be amazed. If you’re new to HDR or kinda understand it, keep reading. You’ll be glad you did. Adjusting … [Read more...] about Taking advantage of Aurora’s new Quantum HDR Engine for bracketed images
Skylum Aurora HDR 2019 Boot Camp
Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save! I put together a detailed video to help you get the most out of Aurora HDR 2019 from Skylum. This amazing tool unlocks depth in detail in all kinds of photos. In this video, we tackle three workflows. If you want to get a special price on Aurora HDR 2019 – CLICK HERE Aurora HDR 2019 Boot Camp Take an in-depth look at editing images with Aurora HDR ’19 from Skylum Software. Join Rich Harrington as he shows you how to unlock depth and details in all … [Read more...] about Skylum Aurora HDR 2019 Boot Camp
Aurora HDR 2019: Toning single photos and brackets
(Editor's note: Aurora HDR 2019 is now available. Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save plus get a free bundle of training, LUTs and Looks too!) HDR — High Dynamic Range creates photographs with more tones from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights by combining a series of bracketed exposures. The gamut of exposure goes from severely underexposed to vastly overexposed to capture a series of photos that reveal detail in both super bright highlights and deepest dark shadows … [Read more...] about Aurora HDR 2019: Toning single photos and brackets
Aurora HDR 2019 now available for pre-order
(Editor's note: Aurora HDR 2019 is now available. Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save plus get a free bundle of training, LUTs and Looks too!) Aurora HDR 2019 is the latest update to Skylum's venerable HDR software. It is now available for pre-order. Upgrade and full version deal links appear at the end of this post. Set to be released in early October, Aurora HDR 2019 lets you easily apply and customize HDR looks to both bracketed sets and single images. This update includes several new … [Read more...] about Aurora HDR 2019 now available for pre-order
First look: Aurora HDR 2019 from Skylum
(Editor's note: Aurora HDR 2019 is a powerful update that has several new, and, frankly, compelling features. Photofocus author Vanelli takes us on a tour of the most significant new addition to this HDR tool. If you're already an Aurora user, you can upgrade for $59 by clicking here, or you can purchase the full version for $89.) The team at Skylum Software announced a new version of Aurora HDR today. It works as both a standalone application and a plugin for other editing tools. Aurora HDR 2019 is a great way to unlock the maximum … [Read more...] about First look: Aurora HDR 2019 from Skylum
Free Webinar Today: Making incredible landscapes
Skylum, maker of Luminar and Aurora HDR announced a free webinar on making incredible landscapes. The webinar is today, Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at 12:00 PM PDT/3:00 PM EDT. Register here. The landscape secrets — revealed Guest Serge Ramelli goes deep into his workflow to get the most from landscape photographs using Aurora HDR. He reveals his process step-by-step and layer-by-layer. Join the webinar today at Noon Pacific and 3 PM Eastern … [Read more...] about Free Webinar Today: Making incredible landscapes
Free webinar: How to make incredible landscapes
Skylum, maker of Luminar and Aurora HDR announced a free webinar on making incredible landscapes. The webinar is Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at 12:00 PM PDT/3:00 PM EDT. Register here. Up the landscape game Guest Serge Ramelli goes deep into his workflow to get the most from landscape photographs using Aurora HDR. He reveals his process step-by-step and layer-by-layer. Join the webinar August 1, 2018, Wednesday at Noon Pacific and 3 PM Eastern … [Read more...] about Free webinar: How to make incredible landscapes
How to simply create powerful black & white images
(Editor's note: Making photographs on an active railway is not only a flagrant violation of safety, it is also seriously illegal. Michèle Grenier, the author of this article, made the accompanying photographs on abandoned tracks. Read this post for more info.) Beautiful colored pictures catch attention. But sometimes, a beautiful colored image can look even more stunning if edited in black and white. Here are a few simple tips to help you choose the best pictures to convert and edit them properly to maximize your "WOW" effect! How to … [Read more...] about How to simply create powerful black & white images
