Artificial HDR

Artificial HDR

HDR (High Dynamic Range) images are the jaw-dropping results of a process that requires merging multiple images of different exposures to create a greater dynamic range of luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. Sounds a bit confusing, doesn’t it? Luckily, an artificial HDR effect can be easily simulated with an image editing app from a single photo.

Step 1

Open any image to which you would like to add the HDR effect in Pixelmator.

Step 2

Duplicate the image layer by choosing Layer > Duplicate. In the Layers palette (View > Show Layers) double-click on the recently duplicated layer to name it “Invert”.

Step 3

Desaturate the “Invert” layer by choosing Image > Desaturate. Then, invert the layer by choosing Image > Invert Color.

To blend the “Invert” layer with the original image where you want the HDR effect, change the “Invert” layer’s Blending to Overlay, as the Overlay blending mode blends layers equally.

Step 4

Click to select the Blur Tool in the Tools palette. Select any regular brush and set it to 100% Opacity (View > Show Tool Options). Then, using the Blur Tool, drag over the “Invert” layer to highlight the differences between the darkest and the lightest areas of the image.

Step 5

For even more highlighted results, duplicate (Layer > Duplicate) the “Invert” layer and use the Eraser Tool with approximately 40-50% Opacity to erase those too-bright parts of the duplicated layer.

Step 6

In the Layers palette, select the original image (to which you’re applying the effect) and duplicate it once more. Then, move this recently duplicated layer above the other layers and change its Blending to Linear Light, as Linear Light increases the colors and the brightness of an image. To reduce the intensity of the Linear Light blend, reduce the Opacity to approximately 30%.

Step 7

To highlight colors in the image even more, choose Image > Hue and Saturation and drag the Saturation slider to the right, to approximately 15. Click OK when done. And that’s how quickly and easily the HDR effect is simulated.

© Pixelmator Team Ltd.