Aurora HDR 2018 Tutorial, Part 8: Single Exposure Editing If you’re not into double exposure and don’t want to use Aurora HDR presets all the time, this tutorial will show how the tone mapping affects images with a single exposure by explaining its influence on HDR. Aurora HDR 2018 is the most advanced and complete high dynamic range photo editor available for Mac and Windows. It contains everything you need to tackle tricky lighting situations that demand HDR photography techniques. Aurora HDR 2018.exe is the programs's main file and it takes close to 1.41 MB (1473464 bytes) on disk. Aurora HDR 2018 installs the following the executables on your PC, taking about 9.27 MB ( 9720940 bytes) on disk. Aurora HDR 2018 lies within Photo & Graphics Tools, more precisely Viewers & Editors. The default filenames for the program's installer are Aurora HDR 2018.exe or AuroraHDR.exe etc. Our antivirus check shows that this download is malware free. Aurora 2018 HDR Software Deal. I’ve found the Aurora HDR software to be the cleanest in creating images with a full range of tones and not having to fight the halos that often come with processing HDR files. Not a fan of the what used to be the ‘HDR Look’ but love having a full range of tones avaialble when the situation calls for it.

You Don’t Have to Like HDR to Like Aurora HDR 2018

This is a short review of Aurora HDR 2018, with a twist.

MacPhun sent me Aurora HDR 2018 a little early to try out so I could tell you about it. Why do I say my review has a “twist”? Because I’m not a fan of HDR, at least not the way most people use it. Aha! not the way most people use it… Guess what? This program has some really awesome features for many tasks that are not the usual HDR uses. In fact I’ve only been using it for single exposures and so far really liking the results.

This all new Aurora HDR 2018 is available to order for BOTH Mac and Windows. Use discount code WOLFSON for an additional $10/€10 off. And now Windows users can enjoy and make use of it too!

**It processes Fuji X-Trans RAW files nicely too**

Bottom Line First

The obvious question: Is it worth the money? The short answer is yes, but I answer this question with another question: Will it save me time often enough to spend the money? If you read the rest of my review you’ll see I look at this in terms of using it for single image processing and the answer is yes. Another bonus is that it processes Fuji raw X-Trans files quite nicely. In my opinion it’s hard to go wrong for $89/€89 ($49/€49 for existing users.)If you use multiple exposure HDR then you’ll get even more utility out of it. Naturally everyone has different needs so keep that in mind when deciding and you can always download the trial first and see how it works for you.

A New and Useful Option for Single Image Workflow

During my usual workflow, once I’ve made my selections of best images from a shoot, I go to my top picks and start processing them. Whether a landscape, architecture or a portrait, raw files need some optimization. As many of you have heard me say- raw is blah! Typically raw files need sharpening/detail work, contrast, saturation and in many cases bringing out shadow and highlight detail.

I start my typical workflow by doing my culling in ON1 Photo Raw. Depending on the image I may be able to do my adjustments right within Photo Raw. But after spending some time with Aurora HDR 2018 I have a new option that can save me time. I can simply right-click on the image and select Show in Finder, then drag and drop that raw file on to Aurora HDR 2018. I’m immediately presented with a small version of my image with a few options. I leave the Tone Mapping checked but I uncheck the Color Denoise option to speed up the opening/processing of the raw file and I end up with a nice starting point.

Here’s what I’ve realized using this method with single exposures: Right after I click the Create HDR button I’m presented with an image that is mostly optimized. For some images I click a simple preset I’ve made that adds some further optimization and voila! I’m done with most of my adjustments. **See below to get my preset for free (I also have one for X-Trans)**

What I like best about this 2018 version

The biggest asset for me is raw processing with tone mapping on the fly for single images. The initial amount of tone mapping it does is fairly subtle and works well for many types of images. It’s a nice starting point versus the extra work if you try to get there with the current (2017) version. I tried everything from landscapes to portraits. About half of them required my preset for some more optimization (Scroll to the bottom to see how to get my preset for free.) It’s also noticeably faster than the 2017 version.

I like that it handles Fuji X-Trans raw files and much faster than the older version (18 sec. to open a lossless compressed RAF versus 32 sec. for the previous version with my current system. Your own times may vary.)

I happen to have two camera systems that challenge raw processors: One is my Fuji system and the challenge is due to the nature of the X-Trans sensor and the other is my Sony A7R II which simply has very large files. The bottom line is your times may be better or worse depending on the type of file, complexity of the image, and your computer system.

I also like the history panel. You can see all your steps and go back to any step you’ve done.

It has a friendly and logical interface with plenty of adjustment tools so that you usually won’t have to hop around to other programs to complete your image. They’ve added even more useful tools to this version like Dodge and Burn, Transform, and Lens Correction.

I love the export dialog. This may seem like a minor thing but it’s really handy to be able to resize on the fly, especially if you need smaller files for the web. Then you don’t have to go into another program to do it. Not to mention the export dialog is very simple and easy to use, especially compared to something like Lightroom.

What I don’t like

I have to qualify this because I’m using version 1.0 and by the time the official release comes out in a couple weeks as well as subsequent updates, this could change. That said, I think it could open/process raw files even faster, especially the Fuji X-Trans. Also, once you open a file, every time you move the image around at 1:1 and/or move a slider you have to wait 2 or 3 seconds for the processing to complete. This is with 20MP-42MP files from various cameras. These aren’t deal breakers but rather annoyances. No product is perfect so one needs to know about negative aspects too. But in the end there is far more to like about Aurora HDR 2018 than not and it makes a useful addition to my arsenal.

Here’s the official list of what’s new in Aurora HDR 2018:

• Next-generation Tone Mapping – A new smart Tone Mapping algorithm automatically reduces noise, and produces more realistic and natural initial results.
• Mac and Windows versions – Aurora HDR 2018 is available both for Mac and PC users, enabling mixed-computer households to share the same product key.
• Lens Correction Tool* – The new Lens Correction filter easily fixes all kinds of lens distortion, from barrel and pincushion to chromatic aberration and vignetting.
• Transform Tool* – Easily scale, rotate and shift your image to better fit your vision.
• Dodge & Burn Filter – Selectively lighten or darken specific areas of an image to artfully direct your viewer’s eye towards the key subject of your image, similar to a traditional darkroom technique.
• HDR Enhance Filter – Adds details and clarity to an image, adjusting colors, details and contrast without creating artificial halos or other problems.
• User Interface – A new, modern and responsive user interface brings a powerful, yet joyful experience to HDR photo editing.
• History Panel – An easy-to-reference list of edits made to your image, the History panel allows you to click on any editing step to revert the photo to an earlier stage of editing.
• Touch Bar support for Mac – Aurora HDR 2018 adds Touch Bar support to give new MacBook Pro users fast access to key editing features and speed up their workflow.
• Image Flip and Rotate* – Perfect for correcting photos with incorrect horizons or making creative compositions or other stylistic changes to an image.
• IMPROVED: New Structure Algorithm – The re-developed Structure tool allows you to adjust detail and clarity of an image to get a classic HDR effect with great detail or a smoother effect with less details.
• IMPROVED: RAW handling – An improved RAW conversion brings out more details in shadows/highlights, displays colors more accurately and reduces noise in RAW files.
• IMPROVED: Crop tool update – Now specify custom crop sizes for even more versatility.
• IMPROVED: Speed – Faster merging and masking performance, improvement in RAW image processing.

* Lens Correction and Transform tools, as well as image flip and rotate will be available in the Mac version at launch, and arrive in the PC version with the first free update in the beginning of October. Other tools and features that are currently available for Mac only would be added to PC version by the end of the year.

Summing it up

Although technically it’s made for multiple exposures, I find Aurora HDR 2018 not only useful for single exposures but a time saver as well. If you have single images and want to get the most out of the dynamic range then consider Aurora 2018. Part of my criteria for adding software to my arsenal is to gain efficiency in my workflow and this fits the bill for many of my images. I want to get more time on it but so far I find it useful, enjoyable and very reasonably priced.

Get my raw optimizer preset free

If want my preset for free, just sign up for my newsletter and then send me an email letting me know you subscribed and I’ll send you the preset.
*Fuji Users*: Ask for my X-Trans version of my preset. It’s a little more customized for X-Trans files in terms of contrast and color. If I were to give it a film simulation equivalent I’d say something between the Provia and Velvia simulations, so a little more punch rather than neutral. Of course you can always dial that back to suit your taste.

Happy Shooting!

Cheers,
Joel

Joel Wolfson is an internationally published photographer who loves teaching as much as shooting. He shares his 30 years of experience as a working pro with other photographers and enthusiasts by way of his workshops, 1 on 1 training, webinars, articles, blog and speaking engagements. His technical articles have been translated for use in more than 30 countries yet he is best known for his artistic images of nature’s fleeting moments and unexpected views of everyday places around the globe. He is one of the pioneers of digital photography having conducted digital photography seminars for Apple and other corporations starting in the early 90s. His roster of notable clients includes numerous publications and fortune 500 companies. He currently works with great affiliates like Arizona Highways, Topaz Labs, ON1, and Macphun to have more avenues for working with those wanting to pursue their love of photography. His goal is to make learning and improving one’s photography easy, fun and rewarding.

A note about product links and affiliations: Some of the links I provide are affiliate links which means I get a small commission, with no additional cost to you, if you click it and end up buying something. It helps keep the lights on as well as supporting this blog and my other free educational resources and articles. So if you use them, thanks! It is always my goal to report my results in a straighforward manner whether or not it favors a particular product.

Aurora 2018 Hdr Full

Aurora HDR is photographicsoftware developed by Macphun Software for Mac OS X and Windows. MacPhun changed its name to Skylum in early 2018.

Aurora HDR is a High Dynamic Range (HDR) editing and processing tool released in November, 2015. It was made through a collaboration between software developer Macphun and HDR photographer Trey Ratcliff.^[1] HDR image editing techniques are designed to overcome difficult lighting situations where highlights and shadows are prevalent in the same image, but have also been used to create highly processed, fanciful images as well.

By automatically aligning and merging multiple exposures of photos, Aurora HDR can create a single tone-mapped image. A collection of powerful editing and processing tools also allow for layered compositions and targeted areas of photo and graphic processing.

Versions and plug-ins[edit]

Aurora HDR comes in five different versions for two different operating systems. Versions, previous and current, include: Aurora HDR (optionally sold on the Mac App Store); Aurora HDR Pro; Aurora HDR Pro + training, Aurora 2017; and Aurora 2018. The software runs as a standalone or as a plug-in to host applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop Elements, and Apple Aperture. In early 2016, Aurora HDR was updated with support to run as an editing extension for Apple Photos for Mac.^[2] In 2016 Macphun released the next version of Aurora HDR - Aurora HDR 2017 along with a Windows version. In 2018 Skylum released Aurora 2018 for Mac and Windows operating systems. ^[3]

Key Aurora HDR functionality[edit]

Initial merging[edit]

Aurora HDR works on single images or multiple exposures, and initial merging options change depending on the number of images loaded. If a single image is provided to the software, only the 'Chromatic Aberration Reduction' option is available. If multiple exposures are selected, 'Alignment' and 'Ghost Reduction' options are revealed. Alignment should be checked if the multiple images were recorded while holding the camera by hand vs. a tripod. Ghost Reduction relates to minimizing the effects of moving objects in a multi-exposure merging process.^[4] If you have moving objects, choose this function.

Interface[edit]

The user interface of Aurora HDR consists of the following:

• Large preview window
• Open & Export/Share
• Zoom & navigation controls
• Comparison controls
• Undo/Redo
• Cropping tool
• Move (hand) tool
• Brush
• Layers
• Histogram
• Presets
• Advanced tools

Presets[edit]

Presets are pre-installed one-click controls that apply a specific 'style' to the tone-mapped image. This style is created entirely by the use and modification of the Advance tools containing in the software. The Preset panel in Aurora HDR Pro contains 7 separate categories applicable to all types of photos: Trey Ratcliff's Signature presets, Basic, Realistic HDR, Dramatic, Landscape, Indoor, Architecture, each of which contain thumbnail graphics representing several or dozens of styles. In addition, users may designate a preset as a 'favorite' or create their own.

Aurora 2018 Hdr For Sale

Tools[edit]

Aurora HDR comes with an extensive list of tools and functionality designed to help photographers edit their images using HDR techniques. The tools range from those that can help reproduce a natural, realistic look to those that enhance images towards a more fantasy-like direction. Each tool listed below has a unique set of controls to modify its effects.^[5]

• Tone Mapping
• Tone
• Structure
• HDR Denoise
• Image Radiance
• Color
• Details
• Glow
• Top & Bottom Lighting^[6]
• Tone Curve
• Color Filter
• Color Toning
• Vignette

Layers, brushes and masking[edit]

Aurora HDR Pro features the ability to create up to 9 layers (4 in the Mac App Store version), and provides brushing and masking functionality common in many image-editing software programs. Layers can be automatically loaded with either (a) the previous layer, (b) a custom texture, (c) the original tone-mapped image, or (d) any one of the exposures in the bracketed set. Brushes and masking, including Gradient Masking are used to selectively apply or erase effects from the image. An advanced feature of the Pro version of Aurora HDR is to designate a layer as one that contains 'Luminosity Masking.'

Aurora Hdr 2018 Vs 2019

Opening, file formats and exporting[edit]

Aurora HDR opens a variety of popular image file formats, including RAW camera files that are the native to specific camera manufacturers (e.g. Nikon's NEF and Canon CR2). It saves in a native file format (.mpau) which allows for the resumption of editing after saving and closing the file. The software exports in the following file formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, JPG-2000, TIFF, Photoshop, and PDF, and can also transfer images directly into Macphun's Creative Suite for further editing.

Sharing[edit]

The software permits sharing to image galleries like 500px, Smugmug and Flickr, plus social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Additionally Aurora HDR can send images via email or Apple Messages.

References[edit]

1. ^http://www.stuckincustoms.com/trey-ratcliff/
2. ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2016-01-27.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. ^http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/graphics-and-media-software/image-editing-software/macphun-aurora-hdr-2017-1329760/review
4. ^https://www.slrlounge.com/school/motion-blur-vs-ghosting-the-difference-between-these-2-artifacts/
5. ^http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/aurora_hdr_2017_review/
6. ^http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/gjcxf6bn/when-to-use-graduated-neutral-density-filters.html

External links[edit]