On1 Photo RAW HDR Image Editing Tutorial: Enhance Your Photography in Minutes!

Updated at: 15/06/2025

Unlock the power of HDR photography with ON1 Photo RAW! This tutorial shows you how to dramatically enhance your images in minutes, transforming dull photos into vibrant, captivating masterpieces. Learn essential techniques for merging exposures, adjusting tone mapping, and fine-tuning details for stunning results. No prior HDR experience is needed – get ready to elevate your photography instantly!

Methods: Creating and Editing HDR Images in On1 Photo RAW

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Create HDR Image

    • Select three images for HDR merge. Right-click on one and select 'Create HDR Now'. Alternatively, highlight the images and click the HDR option.
    Select three images for HDR merge. Right-click on one and select 'Create HDR Now'. Alternatively, highlight the images and click the HDR option.
    Create HDR Image

  2. Select Base Exposure

    • Choose a base exposure. The video selects an image that isn't overexposed .
    Choose a base exposure. The video selects an image that isn't overexposed (228.56).
    Select Base Exposure

  3. Open Develop Module

    • Open the Develop module.
    Open the Develop module.
    Open Develop Module

  4. Crop and Straighten

    • Crop and straighten the image using the crop and level tools.
    Crop and straighten the image using the crop and level tools.
    Crop and Straighten

  5. Adjust Camera Profile and Exposure

    • Select a camera profile (e.g., Vivid).
    • Adjust exposure using AI Auto and fine-tune manually to your liking .
    Adjust exposure using AI Auto and fine-tune manually to your liking (375.12). Adjust exposure using AI Auto and fine-tune manually to your liking (375.12).
    Adjust Camera Profile and Exposure

  6. Adjust Contrast and Color

    • Adjust vibrance, saturation, blacks, and shadows for desired contrast and color.
    Adjust vibrance, saturation, blacks, and shadows for desired contrast and color.
    Adjust Contrast and Color

  7. HDR Look Adjustments

    • Use the HDR Look module to adjust compression, details, clarity, highlights and shadows, .
    Use the HDR Look module to adjust compression, details, clarity, highlights and shadows, (426.639).
    HDR Look Adjustments

  8. Color Enhancements

    • Adjust colors using the Color Enhancer. Adjust yellows towards green, saturate and brighten; saturate and brighten greens; adjust oranges to yellow.
    Adjust colors using the Color Enhancer. Adjust yellows towards green, saturate and brighten; saturate and brighten greens; adjust oranges to yellow.
    Color Enhancements

  9. Sky Adjustments

    • Use Local Adjustments to mask the sky and adjust highlights, vibrance, saturation, and dehaze.
    • Refine the sky mask using the refinement tool to remove halo effects.
    Refine the sky mask using the refinement tool to remove halo effects. Refine the sky mask using the refinement tool to remove halo effects.
    Sky Adjustments

  10. Dock Enhancement

    • Add a vignette to enhance the dock using a radial filter, adjusting exposure, shadows, and blend mode (luminosity).
    Add a vignette to enhance the dock using a radial filter, adjusting exposure, shadows, and blend mode (luminosity).
    Dock Enhancement

  11. Add Glow Effect

    • Add a glow effect using a radial filter to highlight certain areas .
    Add a glow effect using a radial filter to highlight certain areas (803.839).
    Add Glow Effect

  12. Sunshine/Color Filter

    • Add a sunshine filter or color filter for warmth and overall color adjustments.
    Add a sunshine filter or color filter for warmth and overall color adjustments.
    Sunshine/Color Filter

  13. Final Vignette

    • Add a final vignette to enhance the overall image composition.
    Add a final vignette to enhance the overall image composition.
    Final Vignette

Tips

  • Use multiple exposures to capture detail in both bright and dark areas of the scene.
  • Experiment with different HDR merge settings (low, medium, high, very high) to minimize ghosting.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings and tools to achieve your desired look.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overexposed or Underexposed HDR Images

Reason: Incorrect exposure bracketing or improper merging settings can lead to blown-out highlights or crushed shadows, resulting in a lack of detail and a washed-out or too-dark final image.
Solution: Adjust exposure compensation during bracketing and carefully fine-tune the tone mapping settings in On1 Photo RAW to recover detail in both highlights and shadows.

2. Unnatural or Unrealistic HDR Look

Reason: Excessive tone mapping or overly aggressive processing can create an artificial and unrealistic HDR effect that detracts from the natural beauty of the image.
Solution: Subtly adjust the tone mapping parameters, reduce the intensity of HDR effects, and utilize masking techniques to apply effects selectively.

3. Ghosting Artifacts

Reason: Movement between exposures during bracketing causes ghosting, where elements appear duplicated or blurry in the final HDR image.
Solution: Use a tripod to ensure stability during bracketing or utilize On1 Photo RAW's alignment and ghosting reduction tools to minimize these artifacts.

FAQs

What are the key advantages of using ON1 Photo RAW for HDR image editing compared to other software?
ON1 Photo RAW offers a streamlined workflow specifically designed for HDR merging and tone mapping. Its intuitive interface and powerful tools, like the HDR tool and its masking capabilities, allow for faster and more precise results compared to more general-purpose photo editors. It also integrates well with other ON1 products for a complete editing ecosystem.
How can I avoid haloing or unnatural artifacts when creating HDR images in ON1 Photo RAW?
Haloing often occurs due to poorly aligned source images or overly aggressive tone mapping. In ON1 Photo RAW, ensure your source brackets are properly aligned using the alignment tools. Experiment with different tone mapping presets and settings, starting with gentler options. Careful masking and local adjustments can also help refine the HDR image and reduce artifacts in problem areas.