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SPECIFICTION
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rawhdr

github.com

LinuxAPI
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Spec score 6.5 #16 of 21 in HDR Software

What it is

rawhdr is a free command-line package for combining multiple RAW photographs into a high-dynamic-range image. It also performs focus stacking from multiple images. RAW input can use formats known by the rawpy library, while output can use HDR formats known by imageio. The resulting HDR exposure follows the first RAW file supplied. Installation is documented with pip install rawhdr, and a Python API is available for exposure merging and focus stacking. Its exposure-scaling helper leaves out extremely bright pixels that may be saturated and very dark pixels that may be noisy. OpenEXR writing may require the additional freeimage library through imageio. Python 3.7 or newer is required. PyPI classifies the package as OS Independent, with Linux and API listed as platforms. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2 or later. PyPI names Felix Thaler as author and maintainer.

Spec sheet

Purpose
rawhdr is a simple HDR image merger that converts multiple RAW files into a single HDR image.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or any later version.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command line
The project provides a command-line tool that can be installed with pip.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command-line install
The documented installation command is pip install rawhdr.Read 8 Oct 2026 · fthaler.github.io
Exposure behavior
The generated HDR image exposure matches the first RAW image supplied.Read 8 Oct 2026 · fthaler.github.io
Exposure scaling
Its exposure scaling helper ignores very bright, potentially saturated pixels and very dark, potentially noisy pixels.Read 8 Oct 2026 · fthaler.github.io
Focus stacking
rawhdr also supports focus stacking from multiple images.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
HDR merging
The command-line tool merges multiple RAW images into a high-dynamic-range image.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
HDR output support
The documentation says it supports any HDR file format known by imageio as output.Read 8 Oct 2026 · fthaler.github.io
Maintainer
PyPI lists Felix Thaler as the author and one maintainer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
OpenEXR requirement
Writing OpenEXR may require installing the additional freeimage library through imageio.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Operating system
The package is classified as OS Independent on PyPI.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Output formats
The documentation says it supports HDR output formats known by imageio.Read 8 Oct 2026 · fthaler.github.io
Python API
The documentation provides a Python API for exposure merging and focus stacking.Read 8 Oct 2026 · fthaler.github.io
Python requirement
The package requires Python 3.7 or newer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
RAW input support
The documentation says it supports any RAW format known by the rawpy library.Read 8 Oct 2026 · fthaler.github.io
Runtime requirement
The PyPI project page lists Python 3.7 or later as required.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pypi.org

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free package with command-line installation
  • Supports RAW formats known by rawpy
  • Supports imageio HDR output formats
  • Provides a Python API
  • Includes focus stacking

Limits

  • Requires Python 3.7 or newer
  • OpenEXR writing may need freeimage
  • Output exposure follows the first RAW file

Who it suits

It suits photographers and developers who work with RAW files and want command-line or Python workflows for HDR merging or focus stacking.

Verdict

rawhdr offers focused HDR merging and focus stacking through both a CLI and Python API. Its format coverage depends on rawpy and imageio, and OpenEXR may need an extra library.

Where Specifiction places it

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