Over the years, I have tested and used A LOT of HDR software, always preferring the more natural looking scenes with a touch of drama for visual excitement.   Because it became so overused, a lot of people began to hate on anything to do with the name “HDR” in it because it was associated with “that look.”  For me, if you feel the need to label something as HDR, maybe you should look at why you are using it.   Is it really being used as a tool to solve a problem you have, or just to create “that look?”   For me, it should be no more of a tool than a long lens is used to blow out a background, or a low ISO is used to increase dynamic range and reduce noise.

Too many HDR programs, variable results

I have kept a number of programs on my computer because each one seemed to develop blended exposures a bit differently depending on the image.   One of my biggest pet peeves for any exposure blended image is the appearance of halos.   It not only screams “I used an HDR program to do this” – but it also communicates that maybe that person wasn’t paying close enough attention to the negative impact on their photograph.  After all, one of the immediate visual draws in a photograph is contrast.  If you have unexpected contrast around the perimeter of an object, it becomes a distraction, a source of visual confusion.  That is a psychological negative on the viewer.

If one software gives me halos on a blend, I immediate go to the next program.    If one looks a bit too HDR-like, I’ll try to tweak, but might just move on to the next program.   All of this costing me time on my aging 10+ year old MacPro.   The now defunct Nik had a decent attempt with HDR Efex Pro in getting a more natural, balanced look.  But then Google swooped in and sabotaged any further development of the program.  Now DXO has it, who knows if they will make it competitive again.  I do love those control points though.   MacPhun, now Skylum Software, released their Aurora HDR series, which I appreciate for more natural-looking exposure blends.   And of course, Photomatix, one of the originals, I keep as an option, but rarely use anymore.   Then there is the TK Action Panel, which takes a more manual approach to blending exposures, but gives very precise control.   Furthermore, Lightroom and Photoshop also offer options to blend exposures.

Skylum Aurora HDR

As it is time consuming to try so many different ways to blend exposures, I gravitated towards one that does the job in the shortest time, with the best chance of success in creating a natural looking blend.   So I tend to use Skylum’s Aurora HDR more often than since it was released in 2015.   There are times when I determine that using any HDR software just isn’t working for me, and I either do it manually, or stick with a single exposure.   I know I am in for a much longer editing session as a consequence. 

Aurora HDR 2019

So Skylum has been progressively innovating over the years.   Their Luminar software has already replaced my use of Nik Color Efex in most cases.   They always have a great set of presets.   Aurora HDR 2018 was already pretty good, and now they are releasing Aurora HDR 2019.   Here are the improvements:

• New Quantum HDR Engine

• LUTs support with 11 New Integrated LUTs

• Photoshop plugins support

• New HDR Smart Structure filter for realistic and artefact-free structure (can be found in the new HDR Enhance filter)

• Presets are now called ‘Looks’

• Improved Adjustable Gradient filter with new sliders for Shadows and Highlights added

• Improved HDR Details Boost Effect (the photo is shown in high-resolution while fine-tuning the filter)

I started playing with a trial version to see if I want to upgrade from the 2018 version, and so far I like what I see.   Here is a sequence of images I would normally blend together.   Being out before dawn on an ice-covered lake creates a tricky exposure problem. The sky is A LOT brighter than any foreground detail, even if the sun isn’t up yet.   I know there are interesting bubbles in the ice, because my own eyes have greater sensitivity than my camera does.  So I did a range of exposures to capture those details in the ice, while trying to keep the sky tones balanced.   Below is the sequence (nothing but lens correction in Lightroom applied, and dust spot removal) :

Exposure range selection for creation of an exposure blend

Aurora HDR 2019 results

The magic happens when you click that blue button, or maybe I should say a neural network tested, Quantum HDR Engine™ kicks in.  🙂   This is the first result from Aurora HDR 2019 with the default Natural preset.

Winter Lake Ice Bubbles , Lake St. Clair, Michigan, developed with Aurora HDR 2019

So what I like about this result is that Aurora seemed to pick out the best features of each exposure and blend them together in a way that very closely resembles what I was seeing when I was on the ice.   Their engineers tested thousands of bracketed shots through a “neural engine” to create a blend that is associated with the subject matter.  So, theoretically, the software would know if it is blending a landscape vs. a home interior.   I may not be 100% finished with developing this image, but I wanted to show what the immediate result of the blend was.

Other options for HDR Exposure Blending

To show the variation of results from various HDR programs, take a look below.   Now, I want to be clear.  This comparison is not to show any particular qualitative comparison.  Photo development is a matter of personal vision and preference.  I could play with presets and settings in each program, more development in Photoshop and perhaps get to a result I liked.  This is to show how far of a head start you may have with the initial blend.   For me, Aurora gives me a much further head start towards the finished photograph (to my personal preference) than these others.

Some HDR comparisons of initial blends

The new version of Aurora, Aurora HDR 2019 is scheduled for release on October 4th with all of the improvements above.   If you think this is something will work for your in your digital darkroom toolkit, give it a try.   I have ordered the upgrade and will continue playing with it.  You can pre-order the software, or pre-order an upgrade for existing users below:

** Full disclosure – I have an affiliate account with Skylum, but have paid full price for the software and upgrades.  I only write this because I like their products and have been using them for years before any affiliate relationship.  Any referrals may just provide a few extra treats for my Alaskan malamute, perhaps saving a squirrel in my yard, and lets me know you appreciated this writeup.