HDR merge

Make room for the light.

Bright windows, deep shade and changing light can ask too much of one exposure. Align a bracketed sequence, merge it, then shape the result with the same development tools you use for a single photograph.

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Developed HDR merge — HDR merge example — **Real exposure brackets · developed result** Compare a single source exposure with the developed merge. The source brackets capture different exposures; the accompanying processing notes describe the final tone settings.

Single exposure — HDR merge example — **Real exposure brackets · developed result** Compare a single source exposure with the developed merge. The source brackets capture different exposures; the accompanying processing notes describe the final tone settings.

Capture & processing notes 5 source photographs · 960 × 640 detail crop

Reference file: _DSC8659.ARW
Camera: Sony ILCE-7M4
Lens: 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art 019
Dimensions: 7008 × 4672
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/160 s
Aperture: f/10
Focal length: 24 mm

Before

Reference exposure
HDR compression 65
HDR detail 15
Matched default lens defringing and rendering
As-shot white balance
AI denoise off

After

5 real bracketed exposures
Production aligned HDR merge
HDR compression 65
HDR detail 15
Matched default lens defringing and rendering
AI denoise off

The same HDR tone controls are applied to the reference exposure and the merged result. The inputs are real bracketed captures, not simulated exposures.

The detail view uses the same 960 × 640 source-pixel rectangle on both sides, starting at (3024, 2016). Its display size adapts to your screen.

A closer look

The tools behind the result.

Merge exposure brackets

Combine compatible photographs captured at different exposures to make use of information from the darker and brighter frames.

Alignment before merging

Align the sequence before combining it. As with any multi-frame technique, moving subjects and large changes between frames need careful inspection.

Develop one result

Adjust exposure, white balance, tone and colour on the merged image. Choose the rendering that suits the scene instead of committing to a fixed HDR look.

Inspect both ends of the range

Check bright transitions and dark texture. Keep the source frames available so you can compare the merge with the actual exposures.

Inside Phorevia

From your capture to your final image.

The actual desktop workspace, with the photograph and tools used for this example.

Phorevia desktop workspace showing HDR merge with a real photograph

Choose the brackets

Select a compatible sequence captured at different exposures.
Build the HDR result

Use HDR merging to align and combine the sequence.
Shape the light

Develop the combined image and inspect highlights, shadows and movement.

See the source selection Actual frames in the desktop workspace

Actual Phorevia stack selection showing the source photographs used for HDR merge — The real source frames selected before the combined image was built.

Keep exploring

One workspace. More possibilities.

Make it your own

The best test is your photograph.

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