Getting Started: HDR Exposure Merge

Exposure Merge lets you combine two or more photos of the same scene that were taken with different exposure settings.

For high-contrast scenes, such as sunsets or other backlit situations, it means that you can pull the perfect exposure for the foreground, midground, and background into one image. (HDR =High Dynamic Range)

What kind of photos work best?

Photos in which only the exposure setting (EV) is different between shots. For example, use photos taken with the auto-bracketing feature on a DSLR.

Photos that you have taken with a tripod or a steady hand.

Sets of 2-5 photos, 3 is average.


Taking photos for HDR processing takes a little planning, but the results are worth it.

Underexposure (-2)

Standard exposure

Overexposure (+2)

     

Dramatic orange sunlight

Water is blue

Clouds have depth

Foreground has color and texture