High dynamic range (HDR) processing opens a whole world of photographic possibilities. There are several outstanding HDR creation tools available today including Lightroom and Photoshop from Adobe. The question to answer is "when does one shoot HDR brackets?" The "pro" answer Shoot HDR brackets — one normal exposure, one two stops under normal exposure and the last one two stops over normal exposure — in high contrast situations. An example is a building painted a light color in sunlight with foliage in the shadows. Greenery requires a lot of … [Read more...] about When to photograph brackets for HDR
HDR
How I boost shadows and recover details in my images
When I shoot events, I rarely have great (let alone perfect) lighting. That's why I had to find an efficient way to edit my photos that could get the most out of my RAW files. Here's one of my favorite technique to boost shadows, recover details in highlights and bring my very own style to my images. My secret weapon: Aurora HDR 2019 When I am in very difficult lighting conditions — be it bright sunlight or harsh indoors light — I have to get over it and do my job anyway. I know I'll have to deal with it later in post-production but that … [Read more...] about How I boost shadows and recover details in my images
Virtual Tours: Merging a 360˚ HDR image with Photomatix Pro
Virtual Tours are a quickly growing area of opportunity for photographers. Local businesses can share what it's like to visit their facilities with Google and other platforms. In this multipart series, we'll learn about the process. Let's learn about merging a 360˚ HDR image with Photomatix Pro Merging a 360˚ HDR image with Photomatix Pro from Virtual Tours: Video, Photo, and VR by Richard Harrington and Francis Torres … [Read more...] about Virtual Tours: Merging a 360˚ HDR image with Photomatix Pro
Photograph HDR with Exposure Calculator
Capturing bracketed images really isn't very difficult but, at first, it sure can feel intimidating. I remember when it was mysterious to me and, to this day, I get questions about it all of the time. So I want to point out a great tool to help you set your camera's Auto Exposure Bracketing. But before you can set your camera's AEB, you first need to measure the exposure for two extremes in the scene. Once you know the fastest and slowest shutter speeds needed, you'll need to find the 'middle' exposure and turn on your camera's AEB. Which … [Read more...] about Photograph HDR with Exposure Calculator
We want to know how you shoot HDR!
We're running a short survey to understand how you use HDR photography. Why you shoot high dynamic range images and what gear you use. Plus all respondents are eligible to win a $250 B&H Gift Card. The survey takes 5–6 minutes to complete. Please jump over and vote. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HDR-PF Photo credit: Ian Cylkowski … [Read more...] about We want to know how you shoot HDR!
JPEG editing: from “oh …” to “OMG!” with Aurora HDR 2019
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
How to use Lightroom’s new Photomerge: HDR Panorama
Making panoramas is a wonderful way to photograph a scene with the best perspective. Shooting brackets for HDR is a wonderful way to get the best exposure for a scene. So why not do both? I've been doing both for several years, but it's always taken a lot of thought and process on the computer to get the pictures all put together. Do you do the HDR first, or stitch the panorama first? Lightroom's Classic's latest update brought the two together, and it's pretty awesome. Lightroom has processed HDR brackets and panoramas separately for several … [Read more...] about How to use Lightroom’s new Photomerge: HDR Panorama
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
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
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! Or download a free trial version. Limited time offer. 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 … [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
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
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
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
Challenge: Help a subject stand out from the background in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 32)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiZROdcPiNk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6yJPcZxrsI In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the … [Read more...] about Challenge: Help a subject stand out from the background in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 32)
Challenge: Creating the look of a digital painting in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 31)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ibH0NtD-o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ui9n_ees60 In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part … [Read more...] about Challenge: Creating the look of a digital painting in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 31)
Challenge: Creating a feeling with an image in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rj_1pKjF-U In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the Software for Free Want to give Aurora HDR a try? … [Read more...] about Challenge: Creating a feeling with an image in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 30)
Challenge: Preserving original color and applying contrast in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 29)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDnNKdea5Es https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL_EGJJ_Bq4 In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the … [Read more...] about Challenge: Preserving original color and applying contrast in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 29)
Batch Processing Files in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 28)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XwjtZNe2lc In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the Software for Free Want to give Aurora HDR a try? … [Read more...] about Batch Processing Files in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 28)
Sharing with System and Social Services in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 27)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD5LtrCn87c In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the Software for Free Want to give Aurora HDR a try? … [Read more...] about Sharing with System and Social Services in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 27)
In Depth Video Gear Review: Vanguard Alta GH300T Tripod Grip Head
The right tripod head makes using a tripod a joy, and the Vanguard Alta GH300T is just such a head. It's a grip head, which means you can make adjustments with a single hand, but unlike other grip heads, it doesn't require you to squeeze a handle. A single lock at the thumb loosens and tightens. It is Arca-Swiss compatible. It also has a trigger built-in which can trigger your shutter with an included cord (includes cords for Canon and Nikon). I like this head very much, and I think you'll enjoy it, too. I'm showing it in this video attached to … [Read more...] about In Depth Video Gear Review: Vanguard Alta GH300T Tripod Grip Head
Exporting Files in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L2f4lJCqzQ In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the Software for Free Want to give Aurora HDR a try? … [Read more...] about Exporting Files in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 26)
Saving a Native File in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 25)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLrEyE_Sz5Y In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the Software for Free Want to give Aurora HDR a try? … [Read more...] about Saving a Native File in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 25)
Cropping for Export in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 24)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFHbFEe6naY In this course, join Richard Harrington and explore the world of HDR with Aurora HDR from Skylum. You'll learn how to merge multiple exposures together to show an extended dynamic range of scenes. This class covers how to use the complete collection of options inside Aurora HDR. [Save $10 on Aurora HDR with the coupon code Photofocus] Hands-On Practice Download the exercise files here for hands-on practice: Part 1 Part 2 Try the Software for Free Want to give Aurora HDR a try? … [Read more...] about Cropping for Export in Aurora HDR 2018 (part 24)
