Aurora HDR 2019 :: Finally, A Realistic Looking HDR Blend!
Dusk Light, Snake River Overlook, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Sony a7RIII, Sony 12-14mm, f/16, (6 frames blended in Aurora HDR 2018), ISO 200.
Over the years, I have tested quite a few HDR Programs. One of my biggest laments was the results looked like an HDR – unnatural.
Skylum has finally solved that issue with their soon-to-be-released Aurora HDR 2019. In fact, I just returned from a week in Grand Teton National Park where sunset scenes just beg to be blended. Standard Graduated Neutral Density Filters won’t work because of the irregular sawtooth peaks of the Grand Teton Range.
The best sunset compositions are all to the west, meaning, one must shoot towards the sun – tough to do on a clear-sky day with one click! The best camera sensors on the market still cannot capture the range of tone and color present in a high-contrast scene with just one frame.
Five shot sequence from Snake River Overlook (I actually used six but for the sake of the layout, I am just showing 5). I shot in manual mode at f/16, 100 ISO and just changed my shutter speed by one stop starting with the sky exposure and ending with the shadow exposure. The histogram told me my starting and ending points.
How to Capture Frames for HDR
I keep this part very simple. I am in manual mode and on a tripod. I always start with my highlight exposure first – in this sequence, the sun. This is because this changes by the minute and the color is fleeting. I keep a eye on the right-side of my histogram (the highlight side) and make sure none of the three color channels are clipping (spiking up the right side of the histogram).
Next, I open the shutter by one stop (three clicks, as by default, your camera is setup to work in 1/3 stop increments). I continue top do this until I finally see all three color channels pull away from the left side of the histogram.
Depending on the contrast of the scene, the total amount of bracketed frames will vary. This is why I do not advocate auto-bracketing unless you have this information beforehand. With auto bracketing (where you determine the amount of exposure per each frame and the total number of frames) you are guessing unless you know exactly how many total brackets are needed.
How to Order Your Copy of Aurora HDR 2019
Once back at your computer, you will soon be able to purchase and load the new Aurora HDR 2019. If you pre-order now, you will save $10 and get the following bonus material: PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PREORDER. This offer is good until October 4.
Offer Availability:
Aurora HDR 2019 is available for pre-order on September, 12, and released on October, 4.
Pre-Order Pricing:
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Current users may upgrade at a price of $49 USD ($59 USD MSRP)
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New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2019 at a price of $89 USD ($99 MSRP)
Pre-Order Bonuses:
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Video Tutorial: Getting the Most from Aurora HDR 2019 by Trey Ratcliff
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Landscape Photography Handbook by David Johnston
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Burning Moods LUTs by Richard Harrington
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Exclusive interior Aurora Looks by Richard Harrington
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3-month 500px Pro membership
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$300 USD OFF a multi-day Iceland Photo Tours
How to Process Images in Aurora HDR 2019
This part is simple, you simply locate your sequence of bracketed images, then the tone-mapping begins.
Gain ultimate flexibility with the new History panel and a more precise editing brush. Plus, a new strikingly beautiful interface that makes Pro HDR photo editing simpler than ever before.
Here are the most essential changes:
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New Quantum HDR Engine
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LUTs support with 11 New Integrated LUTs
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Photoshop plugins support
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New HDR Smart Structure filter for realistic and artefact-free structure (can be found in the new HDR Enhance filter)
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Presets are now called ‘Aurora HDR Looks’
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Improved Adjustable Gradient filter with new sliders for Shadows and Highlights added
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Improved HDR Details Boost Effect ( the photo is shown in high-resolution while fine-tuning the filter)
Schwabacher Moonset Over Grand Teton Peaks, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
HDR EDITING TOOLS
Whether your style is a totally natural look, or you lean towards the artistic side of creative, Aurora HDR has you covered. Go any direction you like with dozens of powerful controls, developed specifically for HDR photography.
Total Control at Your Fingertips With Powerful Editing Tools
HISTORY PANEL
This next add is huge for me. Aurora HDR’s new History panel puts true non-destructive editing at your fingertips. Easily dive into different styles and combinations, then backup and explore other paths on your way to a perfect image.
Moonset Over Grand Teton Range – 5 frame bracketed sequence of 1-stop each.
Final Thoughts
Aurora HDR 2019 is the first HDR Software Program that allows for a variety of looks. Most importantly to me, it allows for a natural look that a single frame cannot deliver in high-contrast scenes – camera sensors and digital processors simply cannot reproduce the sensitivity of human vision.
Now we truly have a software that allows you to capture and process a scene exactly the way your eyes saw it!
Don’t hesitate, order your copy now!
Don, thanks for the post. I have 2018 and used your link to upgrade. I always enjoy your articles and your software reviews.
Kent
Thanks Kent – from what I have seen from my time with the 2019 version, it is well worth the upgrade. Check out the Landscape Presets – awesome!