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How to Tone Map and Create an HDR Like Image Using Only Lightroom 3 – Lightroom Video Tutorial

August 5, 2011 - Article by Pye

hdr-like-tutorial-lightroom-tone-mapping-before-after

(The Lightroom video tutorial in this post is just under the introductory text below. The working files for this Lightroom video tutorial can be found just above the video. So that we can keep on providing free paid-quality content, please share these videos and raise awareness of SLR Lounge by Facebooking or Tweeting the site and articles, thank you!)

Tone mapping is the process of taking a single image and increasing the dynamic range by evening out the overall exposure revealing the detail in the highlights as well as the shadows.

The end product is an image with a higher dynamic range. This is where HDR Images come into play. Bracketing multiple shots and combining them in post production in order to create an image with a High Dynamic Range or HDR.

[rewind: Learn HDR Photography from SLR Lounge]

However, did you know that you can create an HDR-like image with Lightroom? Yeah, you heard me right, no need for Photoshop or Photomatix. In this Lightroom video tutorial we are going to teach you how to create an HDR-like image with only a single RAW file in Lightroom by tone mapping the image using primarily adjustments in the Basic Panel and Tone Curve (and a few other things).

Enjoy!

Exercise File Download Links:

Note: These images have been provided to the SLR Lounge users curteousy of Lin and Jirsa Photography for educational purposes only. They may not be used in any other manner outside of these SLR Lounge learning videos without the express written consent of Lin and Jirsa Photography. Thank you.

Full RAW Exercise File (12MB) – This full RAW file will allow you to follow the tutorial while achieving the exact same results as shown.

 

Related Product Offers Recommended by SLR Lounge

1) Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 – As of April 4, 2011 – Among the larger reputable dealers, the lowest price we found for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 is $236.99 (Free Shipping) through Amazon. Click any of these links to take you to the offer.

Click here to purchase Adobe Lightroom 3 from Amazon.com

2) Student and Teacher Editions of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 – For teachers and students, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 is available for $89 through the Adobe Educational Purchasing Site.

Post Production Pye
SLR Lounge Senior Editor
Partner of Lin and Jirsa Photography

Related posts:

  1. How to Use Tone Curves to Adjust Image Exposure and Contrast – Lightroom Video Tutorial
  2. How to Create Split Tone and Duotone Black and White Images in Lightroom – Lightroom Video Tutorial
  3. How to Create and Manage Snapshots – Lightroom 3 Video Tutorial
  4. How to Create a Vintage Cross Processed Photo in Lightroom – Lightroom Video Tutorial
  5. How to Create Dramatic Colors in Your Images – Lightroom Video Tutorial

About the author

About Pye
Pye (AKA Post Production Pye) is a founder and the Managing Editor for SLR Lounge. Pye is also a Partner of Lin and Jirsa Photography, an Orange County based wedding, engagement and portrait photography studio. Connect with him on Google Plus
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  • guest

    Awesome tutorial… I am going to stop exporting the images to HDR S/W and just use lightroom. Excellent tutorial.  http://500px.com/eyerish

  • guest

    The black and white Version looks awesome! But the coloured tome mapped one is just ruined, no offence.

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