Free HDR software?

Scam · 27 Feb 2017 at 12:16

Probably been asked a million times, but couldn't find a recent thread. I'm not really a massive HDR person, but have a few landscapes that I bracketed and want to merge. I use LR 5.7.1 which doesn't have photo merge (or whatever it's called). What's a good bit of freeware please?

Is the best workflow to merge then chuck them into LR?

Thanks.

Columbo · 27 Feb 2017 at 12:59

HDR Efex Pro by Google is what I use, its free as well.

https://www.google.com/nikcollection/products/hdr-efex-pro/

Scam · 28 Feb 2017 at 11:59

Great thank you. I will check it out this evening! Does it plugin to LR or is it standalone?

Columbo · 1 Mar 2017 at 09:40

It's a standalone but can export to LR I believe.

voidshatter · 1 Mar 2017 at 17:05

I've been playing with HDR for quite a while (tools, luminosity masks, etc) but got tired and ended up doing single exposure. The best HDR tool is a Sony CMOS sensor with massive dynamic range - free of various problems with bracketing.

Scam · 6 Mar 2017 at 12:12

Columbo said:
It's a standalone but can export to LR I believe.

You can actually load HDR Efex easily from LR. When you save the file from HDR Efex it pops it straight into your library next to the originals. Works very well. Thanks again for the recommendation.

Marzipanogram · 17 Mar 2017 at 12:07

Have you tried blending the exposures using Luminosity Masks, you should get better results.
Check out https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJimmymac20
He has free and paid software (Raya Pro) which will help you. And offers great advice.