How can I merge bracketed exposures into one HDR image in Photoshop?
Asked 4/14/2011
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2 answers
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I have a set of bracketed exposures of the same scene, with detail preserved in different parts of the tonal range. Is there a Photoshop tool or filter that can combine these exposures into a single image showing more detail in shadows and highlights? If so, what is the feature called, and are there other common software options for doing this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
5
You are essentially talking about HDR. You can do it in Photoshop (File > Automate > Merge to HDR), or you can use dedicated software like Photomatix. It is tricky to get good looking results.
When done well they can be stunning - unfortunately they aren't often done well.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — this process is generally called HDR (high dynamic range) merging. In Photoshop, you can use File > Automate > Merge to HDR to combine bracketed exposures into one image. There are also dedicated HDR applications, such as Photomatix.
The main challenge is not just merging the files, but getting a natural-looking final result. HDR can look excellent when done carefully, but overprocessing is common, so subtle adjustments usually work best.
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