The Power of a Single RAW Image
Typically, HDR requires three or more RAW files to create the final HDR image.
However, Macphun’s Aurora HDR 2018 is so powerful that it only needs a single RAW file to create epic results.
In the video above, photographer Trey Ratcliff offers an in-depth tutorial on Aurora HDR, which I’ll just tell you right now is a mind-blowing piece of software.
In fact, if you’re a Mac user, Apple named it their “Mac App of the Year” for 2017, which should just add to your motivation to try it out.
YouTube Screenshot/Trey Ratcliff
To begin with, there’s a huge advantage of only needing a single RAW file to create your image. You can’t control things that move, people walking into the shot, and so forth, so sometimes all you have is a single photo with which to work.
Aurora HDR 2018 and their amazing tone-mapping algorithm makes it possible to use that single photo to make an awesome image.
Take the image above as a prime example. In its original form, there’s just not a ton of drama in the shot. But with Aurora HDR, the image takes on a whole new life:
YouTube Screenshot/Trey Ratcliff
So from just a single RAW file, Trey was able to turn his image into something with greater depth, improved color, and much more emotion with Aurora HDR.
YouTube Screenshot/Trey Ratcliff
In another of Trey’s original images, you can see a beautifully framed subject with all the makings of a jaw-dropping shot.
It needs some help, and with Aurora HDR, that’s simple to do.
YouTube Screenshot/Trey Ratcliff
When you open the program, you see a workspace with a layout that is logically organized and feels familiar.
There’s an abundance of tools at your disposal for creating your final image, including easy-to-use presets for making one-click changes to the shot.
YouTube Screenshot/Trey Ratcliff
In this example, Trey used a landscape preset to give his shot more depth and vibrance.
There’s so much more to Aurora HDR, too...
You can make lens corrections, adjust saturation, exposure, contrast, and of course, use HDR advance tools as well.
You can get a complete walkthrough of Aurora HDR 2018 in Trey’s video. It’s certainly worth a watch!
Be sure to visit the Aurora HDR 2018 website for more details and to order your copy.
