How do you use Skylum Aurora HDR to create dramatic and artistic architectural photos?

1 Choose your photos

The first step is to select the photos you want to edit in Skylum Aurora HDR. You can either import a single photo or a series of bracketed photos with different exposures. Bracketing is a technique that involves taking multiple shots of the same scene with varying exposure settings, such as shutter speed, aperture, or ISO. This way, you can capture the full range of tones and details in the highlights and shadows. Skylum Aurora HDR can merge these photos into one HDR image that combines the best of each exposure.

2 Align and crop your photos

The next step is to align and crop your photos to correct any distortion, tilt, or unwanted elements. Skylum Aurora HDR has a handy alignment tool that automatically adjusts the alignment of your bracketed photos based on the horizon line, perspective, or geometry. You can also use the crop tool to adjust the aspect ratio, orientation, and composition of your photos. Cropping can help you remove distracting elements, emphasize the focal point, or create a more balanced and harmonious image.

3 Apply a preset or create your own

The third step is to apply a preset or create your own adjustments to enhance your photos. Skylum Aurora HDR has a variety of presets that you can choose from, depending on the style and mood you want to achieve. You can browse through different categories, such as architecture, landscape, artistic, or realistic, and preview how each preset affects your photos. You can also fine-tune the intensity and opacity of each preset, or create your own custom adjustments using the sliders and tools on the right panel. Some of the most useful tools for architectural photography are the HDR Enhance, HDR Clarity, HDR Smart Structure, and HDR Details Boost, which can help you bring out the texture, contrast, and sharpness of your photos.

4 Adjust the colors and tones

The fourth step is to adjust the colors and tones of your photos to create the desired atmosphere and mood. Skylum Aurora HDR has a comprehensive color tool that allows you to adjust the temperature, tint, saturation, vibrance, and color balance of your photos. You can also use the HSL (hue, saturation, and luminance) tool to modify the colors individually, or the color toning tool to apply color grading effects to the highlights and shadows. Additionally, you can use the tone curve tool to adjust the contrast and brightness of your photos, or the dodge and burn tool to selectively lighten or darken specific areas.

5 Add some creative effects

The fifth step is to add some creative effects to your photos to make them more artistic and unique. Skylum Aurora HDR has a range of creative tools that you can use to transform your photos, such as the glow, image radiance, polarizing filter, top and bottom lighting, or vignette tools. You can also use the LUT mapping tool to apply different cinematic looks to your photos, or the texture overlay tool to add some interesting patterns or textures. Moreover, you can use the HDR denoise tool to reduce any noise or grain in your photos, or the lens correction tool to fix any chromatic aberration or vignetting caused by your lens.

6 Save and export your photos

The final step is to save and export your photos to share them with the world. Skylum Aurora HDR allows you to save your photos in different formats, such as JPEG, TIFF, PNG, or PSD. You can also export your photos directly to other software, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or Luminar, for further editing or enhancement. Alternatively, you can share your photos online via email, social media, or cloud storage.