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As a photographer, you always want to make your photos stand out from the crowd. However, sometimes the lighting conditions are not ideal, and the photo may not look as good as you envisioned. High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging is a technique to create stunning and realistic photos by combining multiple images taken at different exposures. While HDR imaging has been around for a while, it used to be a complicated process that requires advanced knowledge and expensive software. However, now with the help of HDR software, anyone can create stunning HDR photos with ease.
In this article, we will review one of the top HDR software available in the market, and that is Aurora HDR 2021. We will discuss the software’s basics, pros and cons, our thoughts, how to use it, alternatives, and frequently asked questions.
Video Tutorial:
What is Aurora HDR?
Aurora HDR is a photo editing software developed by Skylum. It is a powerful tool designed to create stunning HDR photos with ease. The software is available for both Windows and Mac. Aurora HDR 2021 is the latest version, which comes with several new and improved features such as enhanced tone-mapping technology, improved user interface, and performance boost.
Price:
Aurora HDR 2021 is a premium software, and the pricing varies depending on the plan you choose. The software is available for a one-time fee of $99, and there are no subscription fees or hidden costs. However, Skylum offers a "Pro" plan, which includes several additional features, for $189. You can also try the software before purchasing it with the free trial version.
Basics:
Aurora HDR 2021 comes with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for both novice and professional photographers to use. You can start editing your photos by opening them in the software or by creating a new project. Once you have opened the photo, you can apply various editing tools, such as exposure, contrast, and color adjustments. The software also comes with a built-in library of filters and presets to enhance your photos further.
Pros
– A user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
– High-quality output with a wide range of editing tools.
– The software is available for both Windows and Mac.
– A built-in library of filters and presets to enhance your photos.
– No subscription fees or hidden costs.
Cons
– The software can be a bit slow when working with large files, which may be an issue for some users.
– It may take some time to learn all the features and functions.
Our Thoughts on Aurora HDR
Overall, we found Aurora HDR 2021 to be an excellent tool for creating stunning HDR photos. The software’s user-friendly interface and built-in presets make it easy for anyone to use, even if you have no prior experience with HDR imaging. The output quality is high, and there are several advanced editing tools available to fine-tune the details further.
The software’s pricing may seem a bit high, but considering the quality of output and range of features, we feel that it’s worth the investment for serious photographers who want to create stunning HDR photos.
What Aurora HDR Identifies:
Aurora HDR 2021 is a powerful tool that identifies the need for a user-friendly software that enables users to create stunning and realistic HDR photos with ease. The software addresses the challenges of HDR imaging, such as the need for multiple exposures and complicated tone-mapping, by providing a range of advanced features and presets in a user-friendly interface.
How to Use Aurora HDR?
Using Aurora HDR 2021 is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps to get started:
Step 1:
Open the software and click on "Open Image" or "New Project" to start editing the photo.
Step 2:
Apply the desired editing tools, such as exposure, contrast, and color adjustments.
Step 3:
Use the built-in library of filters and presets to enhance your photos further.
Step 4:
Fine-tune the details using the advanced editing tools.
Step 5:
Save the edited photo in your preferred format.
Alternatives to Aurora HDR
While Aurora HDR is a great tool for creating stunning HDR photos, there are several alternatives available in the market. Here are three alternatives to Aurora HDR:
1. Photomatix Pro:
Photomatix Pro is one of the most popular HDR software available in the market. It is a feature-rich software that allows users to create stunning HDR photos with advanced editing tools. The software is available for both Windows and Mac.
Download link: https://www.hdrsoft.com/download.html#trial
2. Adobe Photoshop:
Adobe Photoshop is a popular photo editing software that also includes a range of HDR imaging tools. The software is available for both Windows and Mac and provides advanced editing tools and presets.
Download link: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/free-trial-download.html
3. EasyHDR:
EasyHDR is an affordable software that allows users to create stunning HDR photos with ease. The software comes with a user-friendly interface and several advanced editing tools.
Download link: https://www.easyhdr.com/download/
5 FAQs about Aurora HDR
Q1: Can I use Aurora HDR on both Windows and Mac?
A: Yes, Aurora HDR is available for both Windows and Mac.
Q2: Is there a free trial version of Aurora HDR?
A: Yes, Skylum offers a free trial version of the software, which you can download from their website.
Q3: Can I process RAW files using Aurora HDR?
A: Yes, Aurora HDR supports RAW file processing.
Q4: What is the difference between the standard and "Pro" plan of Aurora HDR?
A: The "Pro" plan of Aurora HDR includes several advanced features, such as batch processing and Luminosity masking, which are not available in the standard plan.
Q5: Can I export photos in different file formats using Aurora HDR?
A: Yes, Aurora HDR supports exporting photos in various file formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and PSD.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Aurora HDR 2021 is an excellent software for creating stunning HDR photos. The software’s user-friendly interface, advanced editing tools, and built-in presets make it easy for anyone to use, even if you have no prior experience with HDR imaging. While the pricing may seem a bit high, we feel that it’s worth the investment for serious photographers who want to create stunning HDR photos.Overall, we highly recommend Aurora HDR 2021 to anyone looking to enhance their photos with realistic HDR effects.