HDRMerge vs Luminance HDR
HDRMerge
jcelaya.github.ioLuminance HDR
github.comSide by side
| Figure | HDRMerge | Luminance HDR |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · HDR Software | 7.7 (#11) | 8.4 (#3) |
| Batch processing | The command-line interface supports batch processing of raw image sets. | The manual documents batch tone mapping and batch-oriented HDR workflows. |
| License | HDRMerge is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or any later version. | The software is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0. |
| Purpose | HDRMerge creates raw images with extended dynamic range by merging exposure-bracketed raw files or multiple exposure-bracketed frames in a single raw file. | Luminance HDR is a graphical user interface that provides a complete workflow for HDR imaging. |
| Support | The maker directs users to GitHub to file bugs and feature requests and asks them to include the HDRMerge version, full error messages, and a link to sample raw files. | The README directs users to the BUGS file for bugs, issues, and feature requests, and the installation guide lists a Pixls.us forum. |
| Tone mapping | 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. | The application converts HDR images to displayable LDR images using tone-mapping operators. |
Plans
In their own words
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.
Luminance HDR
Luminance HDR is a graphical application for creating and editing high dynamic range images on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can merge JPEG, TIFF, or RAW photos of the same scene taken at different exposures. Supported HDR formats include OpenEXR, Radiance RGBE, 16-bit and 32-bit TIFF, RAW, and PFS; it also handles JPEG, PNG, PPM, PBM, TIFF, and FITS.
The workflow includes loading and saving HDR files, rotation, resizing, tone mapping, projective transformations, and copying EXIF data between image sets. RAW processing uses the LibRAW library. Other listed features include multiple tone-mapping operators, batch HDR merging, batch tone mapping, a command-line interface, and color management. The software is free and distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0. Prebuilt installation options are documented for all three desktop platforms. Building from source can require dependencies including Qt5, Exiv2, Little CMS, and LibRaw.