Dynamic Photo HDR vs HDRMerge
Dynamic Photo HDR
mediachance.comHDRMerge
jcelaya.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Dynamic Photo HDR | HDRMerge |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · HDR Software | 7.8 (#6) | 7.7 (#11) |
| Batch processing | Batch processing queues images for processing and can automatically align them. | The command-line interface supports batch processing of raw image sets. |
| Ghost removal | An anti-ghosting mask lets users paint over moving objects in source shots to remove their ghosts from the result. | Its graphical interface lets users edit the merge mask to remove ghosts caused by moving objects between exposures. |
| Purpose | Dynamic Photo HDR combines exposures to create HDR images and can also create an HDR look from a single image. | HDRMerge creates raw images with extended dynamic range by merging exposure-bracketed raw files or multiple exposure-bracketed frames in a single raw file. |
| Tone mapping | It offers tone mapping options ranging from smooth, natural images to dramatic or painterly effects. | HDRMerge handles raw exposure merging; its maker says the resulting image can be tone-mapped later in another program that supports high-dynamic-range raw DNG images. |
Plans
In their own words
Dynamic Photo HDR
Dynamic Photo HDR is Windows software for merging exposures into HDR images or creating an HDR-style result from one image. It supports RAW files and provides tone mapping that ranges from smooth, natural treatments to dramatic or painterly effects. Source images can be aligned automatically, manually, or with auto-assist. An anti-ghosting mask lets users paint over moving objects in source shots, while batch processing queues images and can align them automatically. The editing toolkit includes effect layers and effects such as Orton, Sepia, Black/White, Vignette, and Mysterious Light. Real-time preview and advanced denoising are listed, along with Match Color for matching a tone-mapped image to another photo or painting. Output formats include JPG, PNG, BMP, TIF, Targa, 16-bit TIFF, and layered PSD. The product page identifies version 6.1, build 14/11/2017. It is described as a 64-bit Windows application, with a 32-bit version also linked. The listed price is $59 as a one-time purchase.
HDRMerge
HDRMerge combines exposure-bracketed raw files, or bracketed frames within one raw file, to create raw images with extended dynamic range. It outputs DNG 1.4 images with floating-point data, drawing on less noisy input pixels to retain shadow detail. In its graphical interface, users can adjust the merge mask to address ghosts from objects that moved between exposures. The command-line interface supports batch processing of raw image sets. HDRMerge can align small translations and crop the output to the area shared by the inputs. Input images must match in size, orientation, Bayer pattern, and black and white levels; the manual says this usually means using images made with the same camera. Tone mapping can happen later in another program that supports high-dynamic-range raw DNG images. The maker identifies RawTherapee, darktable, and recent Adobe products as supporting the floating-point DNG output. HDRMerge is free software under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later, and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The maker describes it as a way to bring merged HDR images into a standard raw development workflow.