Learning Aurora HDR 2018

Course details

Learn how to use Aurora HDR 2018, the popular HDR photo editing software for Mac and Windows. In this course, Rich Harrington explores the world of HDR with Aurora HDR. To begin, Rich goes over basic HDR imaging concepts, including how to work with single raw files. He then steps through how to load bracketed photos, align source images, deghost HDR images, and develop your HDR files with filters. Plus, he shares advanced editing strategies—including how to fix lens and perspective issues—and explains how to save and export files. To wrap up the course, Rich shows how to use your newly-learned skills to tackle an assortment of challenges.

Learning objectives
Working with brackets and single raw files
Loading images from Lightroom Classic
When to load raw and when to use preprocessed files
Preprocessing images
Retouching in Luminar
Enhancing color with the Color, Color Toning, and HSL filters
Removing noise from an HDR image
Working with adjustment layers and layer masks
Saving and exporting files

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - Exercise files

1. What Is HDR Imaging

03 - Working with brackets
04 - Working with single raw files

2. Loading Bracketed Photos

05 - Opening a single image from a folder
06 - Opening bracketed photos from a folder
07 - Loading images from Lightroom Classic
08 - Using Aurora HDR as a Photoshop plugin
09 - Using Aurora HDR as a Photos plugin
10 - When to load raw and when to use preprocessed files

3. Preprocessing Images with Aurora HDR

11 - Aligning source images
12 - Removing ghost images with deghosting
13 - Reducing chromatic aberration
14 - Retouching in Luminar

4. Developing Your HDR Files with Filters

15 - Developing the essentials with HDR basic filter
16 - Enhancing color with the Color, Color Toning, and HSL filters
17 - Adding details with the HDR Structure and HDR Details Boost filters
18 - Removing noise from an HDR image with the HDR denoise filter
19 - Improving presence with the HDR Radiance filter
20 - Enhancing skies with Top & Bottom Tuning and the Polarizing filters
21 - Refining exposure with the Tone Curve and Dodge & Burn filters
22 - Stylizing the image with the Glow and vignette filters

5. Advanced Editing Strategies

23 - Fixing lens issues
24 - Fixing perspective issues
25 - Blending an original image
26 - Working with adjustment layers and layer masks
27 - Cropping for export

6. Saving and Exporting Files

28 - Saving a native file
29 - Exporting files
30 - Sharing with system and social media services
31 - Batch processing files

7. Development Challenge

32 - Challenge - Preserving original color and applying contrast
33 - Solution - Preserving original color and applying contrast
34 - Challenge - Creating a feeling with an image
35 - Solution - Creating a feeling with an image
36 - Challenge - Creating the look of a digital painting
37 - Solution - Creating the look of a digital painting
38 - Challenge - Help a subject stand out from the background
39 - Solution - Help a subject stand out from the background

Conclusion

40 - Next steps