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Best HDR merge software for stunning photography
5 min. read
Updated onSeptember 9, 2024
updated onSeptember 9, 2024
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Key notes
HDRphotographs, also known asHigh-dynamic-range, is a technique used in photography and films to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity than what is possible with typical digital imaging or photographic techniques.
This feature is most commonly used in cameraphones and they usually result in stunning imagery.
However, one step further beyondHDRphotosis mergingHDRphotosin order to create even greater pieces of work. These include panoramic views, 180 or 360-degreephotos, and more.
That being said, we will belookingover some software tools that we consider to be the best when it comes to mergeHDRphotos.
We will be judging based on how common the program is, how easyHDRmerging is done, how seamless the end result looks like, and other important criteria.
What are the best software to merge HDR photos?
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshopis probably the world’s most famous image editor, and you can use it to adjust pretty much every aspect of a digital image.
In the case at hand, Adobe Photoshop is perfectly capable of handling HDR images as well, including the process of merging them.
The program has been around for so long that everyone is bound to know the UI in one form or another, so adjusting to it is easy for every user.
Besides, once you get an Adobe Photoshop license, you will open yourself to an entire world of possibilities as far as image editing is concerned.
Here are some of Adobe Photoshop’s main features:
⇒Get Adobe Photoshop
Aurora HDR
Probably the newest entry on our list in terms of the launch date, Aurora HDR is yet another tool that proves that you don’t need a rich history in order to be efficient.
Like the beefier entries on our list, Aurora HDR gives you the ability to use layers and masking features like in Photoshop. This, in turn, is very helpful in developing the perfect HDR image and then merging them afterward.
More so, if you’re looking to process a lot of photos without having to tweak each image at a time, then you’ll be glad to know that Aurora HDR also supports batch editing.
Here are some of Aurora HDR’s main features:
⇒Get Aurora HDR
Adobe Lightroom
If you love Adobe Photoshop but are discouraged by the UI, then maybe a simpler variant that is more beginner-friendly is what you need.
That being said, the first product that should come to mind is Lightroom Classic
Lightroom Classic is super basic with only three options when it comes to handling HDR images. However, results can be very realistic and pleasing.
Admittedly, the lack of tweaking options means that while the results are indeed great, they cannot compare to what the first entries from our list can do.
Here are some of Lightroom Classic’s main features:
⇒Get Adobe Lightroom
Luminance HDR
Compared to the other entries on our list, Luminance HDR is a much newer software product. However, don’t let that fool you into thinking it is not good.
The highlight of this tool is that it is extremely easy to use thanks to the build-in drag-and-drop feature and that it is also free of charge.
The only visible downside to this tool is that the processing speeds for images are a bit slow, although this is only noticeable if you use another premium tool by comparison.
Here are some of Luminance HDR’s main features:
⇒Get Luminance HDR
Photomatix Pro
Photomatix Pro is a software tool that has been around for over 10 years, and for good reason. Those of you looking for a software tool that looks and feels simple and clean should go for Photomatix Pro without a second thought.
However, the over-simplification of the menu and toolset did nothing to affect the way the images look after conversion, as they look as if professional photographers took them.
Finally, you’ll love knowing that you can also use it on both Windows PC and Mac.
Here are some of Photomatix Pro’s main features:
⇒Get Photomatix Pro
Thanks to the tools mentioned above, you should be able to create and then merge HDR images in order to create fantasticworks of digital art.
Not only will these tools compensate for the lack of professional physical equipment, but they can allow you to generate images that would otherwise be impossible using normal environmental settings.
More about the topics:Adobe Lightroom,Adobe Photoshop,HDR
Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.
When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.
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