The truth is, if you’re trying to make a realistic-looking HDR, Lightroom’s built-in HDR is not nearly as sharp or color accurate as you can get by starting in Lightroom, then jumping over to Photoshop’s HDR Pro and changing one all-important setting. Check out this video —
When I first figured this out, I asked our own Rob Sylvan to take a look and test it on one of his bracketed images, and he agreed — sharper and more accurate color. That’s a pretty important discovery and one you have to try for yourself to really appreciate.
11 Days ’till my Lightroom Seminar in Washington DC
Come on out and spend the day with me learning all the cool stuff in Lightroom Classic. Only $99, it includes a detailed workbook, plus a bunch of videos, and it’s 100% money-back guaranteed if it’s not the best Lightroom seminar on planet Earth. Tickets and details here.
Have a great Monday, ya’ll. 🙂
Best,
-Scott
Lightroom Killer Tips is from Scott Kelby, author of the world's #1 bestselling Lightroom book, "The Lightroom CC Book for Digital Photographers" and the new bestseller "How Do I Do that in Lightroom?" - Scott's online Lightroom classes are found exclusively at KelbyOne.com
August 9, 2018
Hey Scott
Definitely sharper but some weird colour anomalies in sky and reflected regions in water. Dark bits of clouds have a green tinge. Not in LR. Correction?
August 8, 2018
Hi Scott
Thanks for this. Do you think Adobe will get Lightroom to work the same way as Photoshop does? It is shocking that Lightroom is producing sub-standard results.
With regards from England
https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/
August 7, 2018
Hi Scott, one thing not clear to me yet – when you go to Photoshop and use the 32bit>ACR way, I’m pretty sure there’s some default sharpening applied before it’s converted to 16bit bitmap later. Is the Lightroom version, which is still RAW, also sharpened in LR Detail panel? And if not (enough), have you tried to match the PS version?
August 6, 2018
This is a great tip! Thanks Scott. I immediately tried it on some images and this technique is destined to become the norm.
August 6, 2018
I compared an image edited in Photomatix to one edited using your method.
Now I feel dumb 🙁
August 6, 2018
Thanks very much for this tip Scott. I just shot a great sunrise this past Friday and merged the bracketed shots in LR and then stitched them together to make a pano….I think I’ll go back and try the PS approach!! Much appreciated!
August 6, 2018
Thanks Scott,
I’ve noticed a lot of noise in the shadows in my Lightroom HDR images. I’ll give this a go.
August 6, 2018
I can’t get the ‘Tone in ACR’ button to appear after merging. I guess this method only works for Photoshop CC users not Photoshop CS6?
August 6, 2018
Scott, What format do you use to save in Photoshop when you are bringing the photo back to LR? Tiff? PNG? etc? Thanks for your help.
Mike
August 6, 2018
That’s because Ps HDR engine is creating a 32bit file that Lr can interpret. Time compression is then done in Lr where it is more intuitive. You’ll have you full brackets worth of dynamic range to play with. This not only makes for a better creative flow, but also has hidden benefits with masks and adjustment brushes allowing you to push your range even beyond what the basic controls allow by stacking adjustments with no ill effect. I have been teaching this since Lr 4. I don’t need HDR as much as I did in the past, but when I do it’s 32bit only.
August 6, 2018
*tone compression… Love auto correct
August 6, 2018
Great tip Scott. Just ran a test and it’s indeed better!
August 6, 2018
Thanks Scott. I’ve been using the Lightroom HDR since it was added, but I’ve never been happy with it. I’ll go back to using the Photoshop Pro.
August 6, 2018
Great tip! I haven’t tried HDR in PS
August 6, 2018
The difference is worth it (plus, it’s so easy).
August 6, 2018
Sweet! Thanks, Scott.
August 6, 2018
You bet. 🙂