How To Create Stunning Photos With Easy HDR Editing

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• Do you photograph landscapes or interiors?
• Are you obsessed with capturing a truly life-like scene?
• Do you want to create a truly unique image?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes', then you should try HDR editing. HDR editing lets you capture and control the full range of light and tones in your photos, and with the right software, it’s much easier than you think.

What is HDR editing?

In photography, HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. Basically, dynamic range is the difference between the lightest and darkest parts of an image. The higher the range, the more variety of light and tones you can see.

The human eye can process a wide range of light levels at once, making it possible to take in high-contrast scenes such as a sunset. A camera on the other hand is more limited and will usually adjust to high or low light. This can leave your photos looking dull or washed out, compared to what you remember seeing.

Before and after editing with Eclipse HDR

The goal of HDR photo editing is to increase the dynamic range of an image and make it look just as good as - or even better than- it did in real-life.

How do you create an HDR photo?

The most common way to make an HDR photo is to use the auto-bracketing function on a camera. This takes multiple versions of a photo at different light levels, usually one bright, one medium and one darker exposure. Your HDR software then merges these shots into one and extracts the best parts of each, using a process called tone mapping. The result is a new photo with an increased dynamic range that has more natural light and colour than the original.

3 exposures of the same image with the final HDR result

What if I don’t have auto-bracketing?

These days it is also possible to create an HDR photo without taking multiple exposures.

Some recent HDR software, such as Eclipse HDR, allows you to add HDR effects to a single photo. This means that you can create beautiful HDR-style images without a camera or any special equipment.

HDR effect on a single image

Which photos work best with HDR?

Photographers use HDR editing on all kinds of photos. It is ideal for scenes with contrasting light and dark areas, such as panoramas, landscapes and cityscapes.

Interior photos can also benefit from the HDR treatment, allowing you to capture all the light in the room and make your photos more vibrant and realistic.

But HDR photos don’t have to be realistic. Some photographers use this technique to get creative with their photos. By adjusting tones and light with HDR software, you can take your photo from real to surreal, and create something completely unique and artistic.

Interior photos can also benefit from the HDR treatment

Getting started with HDR editing

Good HDR software is the key to creating your perfect HDR image. But it doesn’t have to be difficult to use.

The Eclipse HDR range from inPixio was designed to make HDR editing accessible to all, while still offering amazing results. The Eclipse range includes two HDR editors, one for beginners and one for more advanced use.

Eclipse HDR Pro Interface

Eclipse HDR

Eclipse HDR is designed for anyone who wants to try HDR editing without making a big investment.

Using presets in Eclipse HDR

This beginner-friendly software lets you add HDR effects to a standard JPG photo. That means you can create vibrant HDR-style photos, even if you don’t have the equipment to take multiple exposures.

It also offers a large selection of presets so you can easily test different effects and find the right fit for your photo.

Eclipse HDR Pro 

Selecting different light sources in Eclipse HDR Pro

Eclipse HDR Pro takes things up a notch. While it offers the same easy-to-use editing options as the standard version, this software also provides advanced tools that put you in full control of your editing.

In addition to an advanced Tone Mapping Engine that produces flawless HDR images, Eclipse HDR Pro offers full RAW editing functionality, as well as HDR noise reduction.

The HDR ReLight module is a unique tool that detects light sources in an image and lets you switch them on and off individually. You can also fully alter the colour of your lighting, or even change daytime to night.

Start creating stunning HDR photos today!

If you’re tired of dull pictures and want to liven things up a bit, then you’re sure to enjoy HDR photo editing. Because it lets you capture all the information in a scene, HDR is a great way to optimize tones and exposure in your photos while keeping them natural and realistic.

HDR editing also gives you the opportunity to get artistic with your photos and create a truly unique image. With the right software, anyone can create a colourful HDR effect from a basic photo. inPixio’s Eclipse HDR makes it easy to get started whatever your level and experience.

So why not try Eclipse HDR or Eclipse HDR Pro and start creating your own stunning HDR photos today!

Save 60% On inPixio Eclipse HDR Pro

Inpixio, the creators of Photo Studio 10, are giving ePHOTOzine members the chance to save 60% when purchasing the Pro version of Eclipse HDR software. 

Two yearly plans are available: Eclipse HDR and Eclipse HDR Pro but the 60% off discount is only available on the Pro version which makes the software £59.99 instead of £114.99. 

For more information, visit the Inpixio website by clicking the button below. 

Save 60% On Eclipse HDR Pro