How to create better HDR photos in Photoshop

[@teddyal8770]

great video, I just realized it's 7 years old, and so informative even for 2023, thank you.

[@EoghanSmith]

I've struggled with HDR in photoshop for a while... this has really helped me. thank you!

[@BoyDriessen]

I Never commented on youtube videos but this is the most useful video I've seen. Thanks so much. It opens a lot.

[@aarong311]

I can't believe I just found this video. All this time I thought the photoshop HDR feature was garbage. This is awesome! Can't wait to try it out. Thank You!!!

[@MLC48]

Thanks so much for this way of doing HDR in camera raw and photoshop. Everything worked except that in my Photoshop CC 2018 when I clicked the "OK" in ACR, the image opened up in PS, but it wasn't a smart object, just a layer and it was back to being a 16 bit image. I didn't have to go back to ACR and so it didn't matter.

[@jriverat]

I have exactly the same problem..., did you find how to fix it?

[@jzader]

I have this problem too. I'm bummed, because this means I can't re-do my changes in Camera Raw until after I convert to 16 bit. Commenter Gabriel Albaladejo-San Inocencio above notes: "In Adobe Camera Raw 9.10, directly applying the Camera Raw Filter to a 32-bit Photoshop document has now been disabled to prevent unexpected visual mismatches between Camera Raw and Photoshop. The Camera Raw plug-in always processes a 32-bit source image or Smart Object to a 8-bit/16-bit result."

[@gremlin9619]

omg this guys got so much energy

[@kiannaleigh452]

Wow! Thank you so much! Changing the HDR merged photos to 32 bit really made a difference! I couldn't figure out why my merged photos were looking so awful till I saw your video! This has really help! Thank you so much!

[@Windowserrorsong]

I had a lot of trouble trying to make something look good with the HDR pro thing and I had no idea about this other method. This is the best and it looks way better using the RAW processing!

[@clearlyed]

Happy you learned from this photoshop HDR advanced method. Really this is the best way to create HDR images in Photoshop.

[@snootbooper467]

wow. that 32 bit tip was amazing

[@Swithsss]

Really the best video about HDR photo on youtube. Great job!

[@AusFastLife]

Thanks. This was a great tutorial. I am using Photoshop CC2020 and when I click ok, on Adobe Camera Raw (as shown at 8:13) the photo that I had been working on at 32 bits appeared in photoshop as the background layer in 16 bits, not as a smart filter in 32 bits as shown here. Not sure what I am doing wrong. I still liked the process, and it was good to see how to use the camera raw tools.

[@amberjorgensen9080]

I am having the same issue not sure what I am doing wrong either

[@chriswaywell]

I second that notion!

[@robinchatterjee1519]

That was a bloody awesome tutorial! First time i did this and it was a joy

[@alleyesphotog]

Brilliant! I have been trying to use Photoshop's HDR but the default results are usually so bad. Your advice to use ACR has changed my life (editing life in any case). Thank you for the great tutorial!

[@SJPhotography999]

Hi Ed. Can you make this video again for the 2020 version?

[@andinbriwel1092]

Very nice! Not you average HDR tutorial, which we've all seen a hundred times. Glad I clicked this one! 👍

[@clearlyed]

Fantastic. i definitely try not to make boring average photoshop tutorials. I always want to teach the best and latest techniques to allow people to create the best results in photoshop. Happy you watched my photoshop HDR tutorial

[@raghu1510]

I am very new to photoshop..Your simple technique helps me a lot mate..Cheers..

[@kondvi4329]

This is the best video tutorial for making HDR photos in Photoshop. Thank you so much!

[@infodawg]

Brilliant! Great tutorial, mate.. subscribed.

[@dsrenderstudio3600]

Amazing video! You showed not how to make an HDRI, but how to make a good one!

[@canned_can_chan4590]

This really helped!!! I have photography this semester and unfortunately we can't do it in person, so this really helped

[@MsDebiut]

Does anybody know why after finish work in camera raw my image do not open in ps as a smart object layer?

[@chrisj5634]

Hi Szymon, just wondered if you found a solution to this as I'm having the same problem? Any help is appreciated

[@MsDebiut]

@@chrisj5634 unfortunately not

[@patrickdegrijs11]

Just for the cool enthusiastic intro I hit thumbs up before watching further!!!

[@Alecxace]

exactly how I remember it being done! Just wanted a refresher as it's been a while. thx!

[@BugLightGeek]

Excellent video. When I go through similar changes, and click 'ok', my image does NOT show up with the Camera Raw filter option. Any ideas why?

[@alanwilliamson3188]

superb. Just need to practice now. Many thanks

[@erustownsend9790]

Thumbs up just for the energy

[@enriqueaguirre8523]

Ed, Thanks for the video, very easy to follow steps! my computer is not automatically creating a smart object did I miss a step? I only get one background image.

[@c_fiddy]

Having the same issue. Maybe an update changed this? In the history panel it shows the smart object followed by flatten images, and it won't let you go back.

[@danielkingham9045]

Another great blog Ed,,,but please tell me how to store a saved image onto a external hard drive,,,thanks and have a great Christmas ✌️

[@joeysven]

Thanx man! This is by far the best HDR tutorial I've seen! My HDR images look stunning, to say the least ... 👌👍👊

[@cheatgaming8978]

What a nice intro !

[@thteevel]

Pretty useful video ! thank you for sharing

[@RoxiLog]

Nice thank you! It helped a lot! Hope to get hired as a hdr editor by the company I applied a week ago. Wish me luck!!! ☺️

[@youssefskandrani7400]

Oh men thank you very muuuccchhh i was struggling how to edit hdr pics on photoshop and i found your video i followed every step and now i can take good hdr photos

[@NotFinancialAdvice]

Love this... I prefer to do 95% of my editing inside ACR so this is exactly the way I would prefer to do HDR too. Thanks!

[@infodawg]

I just re-discovered ACR after not messing with multiple exposures for awhile, but its suiting my workflow again based on what I'm shooting. Love ACR though, so much more responsive than lightroom.

[@DanThomas1161]

Ed im not sure about first 10 seconds 😅 of your video, but the rest of it is really excellent 😊

[@mikehartman7708]

Tried to do your HDR method yesterday, but they would not merge because the photos need to, "...be the same size."? I was bracket shooting. Do I need to work from the card out of the camera? Love your videos!

[@dengzhou8297]

The best vedio about HDR I've ever seen

[@wm17959]

Thank you for the great video! I'm currently using PhotoMatix Pro 6 and I'd like to know how to manipulate the 3 individual images once they are merged. Is it possible to bring out more of the dark exposure or the light exposure if so desired? I'm just curious about limitations because PhotoMatix is quite a versatile program.

[@85Joefish]

hi, which table graphic you use?thaNK YOU SO MUCH.

[@wm17959]

I noticed that when you change to 32 bit it saves that setting and everything you do later will automatically open in 32 bit. Very informative video!

[@ucvisualconcept]

Wonderful tutorial

[@AlexKolotos]

After the "Tone in ACR" modifications have been made and I click "ok" when the resulting image opens it is in 16 bit and the changes do not appear in a smart filter. What am I doing wrong?

[@shutterdogg1102]

The workflow was changed a few versions back. Use Lightroom's "Merge to HDR" feature to create a DNG file (Lightroom > PhotoMerge > HDR). Then open that DNG file as a smart object in Photoshop (Lightroom > Photo> Edit in > Open as Smart Object in Photoshop).

[@MrNokkviE]

Great video!

[@jean-claudelaurin4180]

How is it that when I go back to Photoshop frome ACR, it doesn't load as a smart object or smart filter, but as a 16 bit photoshop file?

[@SketchTurnerZero]

+1. Do u know how to change it?

[@jean-claudelaurin4180]

@@SketchTurnerZero What do you mean?

[@louieh3542]

Amazing video!!!!

[@elf1ua]

Thank you man! I was looking for a fird party software, but I always knew that Photoshop can make true HDR itself. You've just opened my eyes! So simple :)

[@ewli--everyonewillloveit-1107]

Thanks bro it was really helpful

[@chiyachiya9369]

AMAZING!!!!

[@daceuro]

Rather than using the convert to 16 bit method you point out, I was using the file > export > quick export as PNG option. Any reason why that wouldn't work as well? It seems to keep the same appearance when exporting this way. Great tutorial, btw.

[@tulushidayatul9859]

to the point, easy to understand, thanks bro..

[@jugibur2117]

I found that combining the files inside Bridge to a HDR DNG file is even more convenient for me

[@samsargdong1135]

Hi,thanks for the interesting video. I'll try to put it in práctica with my new Sony A6400. Is a tripod a must? Bye!

[@waltereaton6404]

Excellent explanation

[@ThePoPoBear]

Hey Photos In Color, can you please make a video on how you have your Photoshop workspace customized, because I watching your awesome tutorials and I really want to customize my workspace exactly like yours. Thanks!!!!

[@charlesstacyharrisiii2593]

Nicely done mate!

[@oganstevens]

Very Cool! Thanks.!!!!

[@chrisseymour8457]

Awesome tutorial Ed! I'm excited to try it out!

[@clearlyed]

Wonderful. With this photoshop HDR tutorial you will not be disappointed. really this will give you stunning natural looking HDR photos.

[@kungfuhaggis3489]

Big thumbs up and subscribed, never knew about switching to 32bit, thank you sir.

[@mikehartman7708]

I found "my" problem. . .great tutorial!

[@SmirvVlogs]

THANK YOU!!! oh my, thank you so much. I am new to PS and was beside myself trying to figure out how to get this to work. This helped a TON. I did not do every step you talked about, but I took much of your tutorial and came up with a decent image. My first attempt at HDR would not be possible without this tutorial. Again, THANK YOU!

[@TheLuc234]

Thanks for your great tutorials do you think this is better then using NIK HDR?

[@clearlyed]

I think Photoshop HDR with the 32 bit technique works better than the nik collection too. The power of photoshop HDR is awesome and is often overlooked.

[@ryanwood3883]

Great tutorial but I'm stuck at 5:25 when I bring my images (.CR2 files) into Camera Raw they remain flattened in PS (not a smart object) so it's only referencing one image instead of all three? Any suggestions?? I'm using CC 2018. Thanks so much!!

[@flecha9991]

Same here, waiting for an answer!!!

[@ryanwood3883]

@@flecha9991 glad to know I'm not the only one!

[@kelvinkhangchu]

M2... I'd rewind 5 times thinking I missed some steps :( … I'm using CC2019 with CR3 files

[@SketchTurnerZero]

I have the same issue

[@ThatOneGuyWithAReallyLongName.]

This has been a feature in Photoshop (I think) the first version of CC, and I've really enjoyed the convenience. I do NOT miss having to merge to HDR, save the file as a 32 bit .tif, close the image, and then re-open the file to get it into ACR. Great tutorial as always, Ed.

[@clearlyed]

this technique really does cut out a lot of steps and leaves you with some stunning natural HDR photos. Happy you enjoyed this Photoshop HDR tutorial. Stay tuned for more.

[@Topdongraphics]

That dance just gained a new subscriber cheers mate

[@flyawayhorses]

When I convert to 32 bit, I don't get the little icon that lets me open in Camera Raw. I think my software is up to date. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[@ryanwood3883]

Are you using raw files with Camera Raw installed/updated? Think it might have something to do with the bit depth, I'm having issues too.

[@flyawayhorses]

@@ryanwood3883 They are raw files...CR2, from a Canon camera, and yes, my Camera Raw is updated. Thanks for the response!

[@ram160882]

I have the same issue, the "Tone in ACR" option is missing.

[@theinternetsfinest560]

you probably dont even have camera raw

[@msmok5]

Excellent video! Thanks for the tips!

[@captainBrouette]

Great tuto! But my ACR doesn't open it as a Smart Object, don't know how to change that. I can manage that by opening the files in ACR and thinking the "open as smart object" button in the picture preferences, but that changes nothing. The ACR window used by the "merge to HDR" function as shown in the tutorial doesn't allow that. Any idea? (using CC2019)

[@Haydenthemaker1000]

what version of adobe camera raw are you using?

[@lalithamariaperez2937]

I love your madness!!!!

[@23CoSo]

Well done, Ed - that's excellent. Will watch it several times more to 'grab' everything. Many thanks.

[@cantwain]

Great Vid easy to follow instructions. Thanks

[@Neilberg56]

Well put Ed. I have been doing Bracketing and HDR in Photomatics but hate the lighting effects that you can't switch off. The finished result seems too surreal for my liking. Been wanting to know how to produce them in Photoshop for some time now and your Vlog explains it perfectly thanks.

[@DaphneGsell]

Great video

[@clearlyed]

Thanks.

[@Ancorarte]

@@clearlyed Bro, You need to update this tutorial for Photoshop 2020! That you showed, didn't work anymore :(

[@RevelvsRaziel]

How I can turn to 16bit from 32bit like you? In my photoshop CC 2017 with the same command the photo change in 16bit, color and light are more brightness and horrible. HELP!!!!

[@dharlow5810]

Fantastic tutorial!!

[@Djentleman511]

Hey I know this a year old or more but hopefully you can answer this question for me.. I'm just getting into Photoshop and creating hdr and I'm curious.. do I have to purchase Adobe Camera Raw separately or is it part of Photoshop? I pay for Photoshop and have never seen acr advertised on adobe's site. So hopefully i already have it. Let me know! Cheers.

[@BudgetAdventureDiaries]

My photo becomes whiter and unsaturated after the 32 to 16bit conversion (even if gamma and exposure are set on 1 and 0). Is there a way to fix this?

[@HussamMokhtar]

Amazing Video

[@SR-sg7qk]

Will it work in photoshop elements 2021

[@onthemoverealestatephotogr9655]

Thank you very much for this tutorial! Very helpful!

[@kirstenwalker487]

I did everything up to 4.20 in your video as well and my cs6 doesn't have the option to work into camera raw either is there another way to bring up the camera raw workspace for hdr toning

[@mchariker]

to first going into filter mode...u need to convert img to smart filter...and then u can..use filter tab...more essentially..its better to apply filters later u can adjust...nice review man.

[@TheNorcalshooter]

Thanks Ed, Now I will try it on some of my HDR images that I did a few years ago,

[@clearlyed]

For sure........ I really think this 32 bit technique will render wonderfully realistic but stunning hers. Happy you enjoyed my photoshop HDR tutorial.

[@AdrianGonzalezVideoproductions]

Best tutorial out there

[@clearlyed]

wow. thank you so much.... this means a lot, I am happy you enjoyed my photoshop HDR tutorial for beginners. I love this technique.

[@AdrianGonzalezVideoproductions]

Not only enjoy it but learn more ,very well explained and detailed look forward to keep taking your courses I still learning more and more thank you for it

[@abettervideographer]

Dude, you're awesome!

[@jbb49]

THanks Ed! I was lost for a long time on how to undo the changes after converting it back to 16 bit. exposure and gamma, eureka!

[@marcoshuayai3995]

So i dont understand? do we need to add 3 photos the same imagen but differnet color so it can combine a good color? . Or it can be different photo. ?

[@CrazyBenjiboy]

Really helpful mate thank you so much !

[@Brummiemartin]

Using PS cc 2018 and ACR does not save a smart object, when it's done. Instead I just get a standard locked 16 bit "Background" layer, from which I can't go back into ACR. Are there any settings that allow for the smart object saving by default?

[@DaRupinger]

Same question here. Did you ever solve this?

[@AlessandroDiFederico]

same problem here when I pass from ACR to PS... no smart object, just flat background image without any change a I made in ACR...

[@ChristianEvangelistaEV]

I have the same problem... Does anyone can solve this?

Well done Ed. Great tutorial... ;)

[@clearlyed]

Thanks so much. I really think this is the best Photoshop HDR technique to get the most natural looking images.

[@bemymuse2675]

I'm heading out to Banff, Alberta in 3 weeks to photography the majestic mountains using AEB. Thanks for teaching me how to HDR the photos. Can't wait to get the images and working on them and see the results. Like and subscribe.

[@12matcool]

Hello, I have the same problem as a guy below. Once I'm finished with merge to HDR pro in 32 bit, I dont have the option to open in camera raw, any advice would be helpful

[@nicknack2003]

OMG... I laughed at the intro... You are awesome, and this is exactly what I need to show my friends so they understand my British personality - here in the States.. that is EXACTLY the kind of things I do and they look at me like I am CRAZY... Love it...

[@DeltadronesBr]

Excellent! Thanks!!

[@BugLightGeek]

How do you save all your work as a DNG to revisit at a later date?

[@AlanKingsGames]

This is amazing, thank you very much

[@ahtashambajwa727]

Your Point dance was amazing.

[@clearlyed]

hahaha. I have been working hard on that. Happy you learned how to make a HDR In Photoshop tutorial.

[@shanewilliams8399]

What actual programs do I need to buy to be able to do this?

[@haisamjab]

Really helpful thank you... you're a great communicator... would have hoped that you kept going on with this kind of tutorial!

[@АтанасГълъбов-в3ю]

Could you tell me what the problem might be? I do: Automate > Merge to HDR pro, then I choose the photos, tap OK, > merge 32 bits and Tone in ACR. But it DOES NOT appear as a smart object in Photoshop, the way I watched on your video. I do some changes in ACR and give OK, but it still does not open as a smart object in Photoshop! :(