Streamlined HDR in Lightroom Workflow
I’m a giant proponent of HDR images and use it every day. I make use of totally different HDR software program and varied enhancing methods to attain pure wanting and balanced HDR photographs.
Over the years, the muse of my Natural Looking HDR strategy was the workflow the place I used a mixture of Photoshop and Lightroom. Using Photoshop HDR Pro, the module of Photoshop, to merge a number of photographs to HDR and Lightroom to use a customized enhancing approach to supply the ultimate look.
“Natural Looking HDR Photography Guide” is, by far, the preferred tutorial on PhotoTraces.com the place I break down my favourite approach.
I extremely suggest that you simply take a look at the “Natural Looking HDR Photography Guide” the place I additionally reply the most typical questions in easy phrases. Some of the questions embrace: “What exactly is HDR Photography?” and “Why do I need HDR?”
The approach requires a number of steps and, if I show them schematically, it seems to be like this:
Lightroom > Photoshop HDR Pro > Lightroom > Photoshop
In normal, the approach is just not too complicated but it surely requires each Lightroom and Photoshop, in addition to a number of steps to finish it.
HDR in Lightroom? Is this for actual?
Recently Adobe launched a brand new model of Lightroom, model 6 (learn my overview Adobe Lightroom 6 Review – New Features). One of the largest addition that stunned many photographers was the Photo Merge HDR module built-in into Lightroom.
It grew to become the sport changer within the area of HDR images. Not solely does the brand new processing technique bypasses Photoshop altogether, but it surely additionally saves an unlimited period of time on creating and enhancing HDR pictures.
The HDR in Lightroom is the fact now.
Originally, I used to be planning to replace my “Natural Looking HDR Photography Guide” with the brand new Lightroom 6 HDR possibility however, later I noticed that Lightroom HDR is one thing utterly totally different that deserves its personal tutorial.
To proceed with this tutorial, all you want is Lightroom 6 or later. If you need to observe me step-by-step, you will get the identical photographs that I used on this demonstration.
Download the supply RAW recordsdata under. Import them into Lightroom and you’re able to create your first HDR in Lightroom.
For Lightroom HDR tutorial, I chosen 3 bracketed pictures (-2; 0; +2) I took in Hawaii (O’ahu Island) whereas mountaineering alongside Hanauma Bay Rim Trail early within the morning. I used Sony A6000 digital camera and Sony 10-18mm lens on a tripod (FEISOL Tournament CT-3442).
That was my very first journey with the brand new tools after I switched from Canon DSLR to Sony Mirrorless.
Before you can begin with the tutorial it’s essential to import demo photographs to Lightroom.
Step 1 – Photo Merge > HDR
In Lightroom, choose 3 bracketed photographs you plan to course of as HDR, proper click on (possibility click on) and choose PHOTO MERGE > HDR…
You might be introduced with the Lightroom’s new Photo Merge interface with HDR Options.
As you possibly can see the variety of HDR choices are very restricted in comparison with standalone HDR packages like Photomatix. At the identical time, I discover them (choices) to be very efficient and I by no means skilled the necessity for extra controls.
Auto Align – despite the fact that I used a tripod, I chosen this selection in case the robust wind triggered digital camera motion between the pictures.
Auto Tone – when chosen, the Lightroom tries to routinely tone map picture by adjusting the publicity, recovering the shadows and the highlights. Since I’m planning to make use of my customized edits, I don’t care about this selection.
Deghost Amount – I wouldn’t have shifting objects in my composition moreover the waving grass brought on by robust wind. I chosen LOW settings to permit some “ghosting” within the foreground, to have the ability to obtain the impact of lengthy publicity softness.
When you’re executed with the HDR Options press MERGE button and Lightroom goes merge 3 bracketed pictures, create new HDR picture with the DNG extension and put it aside subsequent to the unique photographs. All executed routinely.
Below is the brand new HDR picture produced by Lightroom. As you possibly can see it seems to be uninteresting and unappealing and we’ve got to use Lightroom edits to carry it to life.
Step 2 – Preset Based Lightroom Editing
To velocity up the method of enhancing and to have extra artistic choices, I made a decision to make use of Lightroom Presets Based Editing. The approach relies on making use of beforehand saved presets to the picture and selecting the right wanting model.
To observe alongside, it’s essential to use my Free Lightroom Preset Collection. If you need assistance on find out how to set up and use free presets, please test my tutorial: How to Use PhotoTraces Free Lightroom Preset Collection
Preset: Natural
First, with just one click on I utilized Natural preset from my Free Lightroom Preset Collection and later used ToolKit changes to tremendous tune the picture (for assist test the tutorial).
Here are the precise enhancing steps I used to attain the ultimate look:
- Natural preset
- 08 Open Shadows ++
- 20 Vibrance +
- 23 Saturation 0
- 38 Sky Blue Darker +
Editing method: Natural (8, 20, 23, 38)
Preset: End Of Summer
Editing method: End of Summer (4, 12, 15, 32)
Preset: HDR Blend
Editing method: HDR Blend (12, 21, 40)
Preset: Hawaii Sunset
Editing method: Hawaii Sunset (4, 8, 31, 40)
The following “looks” I managed to attain by utilizing my premium Landscapes Lightroom Preset Collection Vol.1
Preset: Tropical Morning
Editing method: Tropical Morning (32, 40)
Preset: Broken Clouds
Editing method: Broken Clouds (8, 11, 15, 31)
Preset: Pinkish Hue
Editing method: Pinkish Hue (32)
Preset: Point Lobos
Editing method: Point Lobos (5, 9, 12, 15, 40)
Preset: Skyshine
Editing method: Skyshine (1, 9, 33)
Step 3 – Creative Selection
As you possibly can see, by utilizing Lightroom Preset Based Editing we managed to create 9 very distinctive “looks” in a really quick time period. Next step is to pick out the model we like the most effective.
My private choice is the “look” produced by Tropical Morning preset.
What is your favourite “look”?
Conclusion
The new Lightroom HDR module simplifies the method of making HDR pictures. It is less expensive (no Photoshop required) and far easier. In mixture with the Lightroom Preset Editing, the method of making HDR pictures turns into extra streamlined and fewer time-consuming.