HDR - Using RAW files and HDR in Photoshop

Raw files

The way to best describe a RAW file (image), is as a 'naked' photograph. An image that has had nothing taken away or added to it, so what you see in that image is exactly the same as what your eye has originally seen. 

HDR & Shutter Speed
Stands for High Dynamic Range. Some camera's, like the iphone's camera has this software built in, so with the touch of the screen, the camera will convert the image to HDR itself. The only problem with this is that you have no control over how this image is converted. Using camera RAW to capture an image, then converting it in photoshop does give you that control. 

Below is an example of how to convert a RAW file and transform into an HDR image.


Upload the original RAW file into Photoshop:

Now save this image into a file and name it HDR. This image will be saved 3 separate times. First, save as mid-tones only changing the format to JPEG. Now move the shadows tool looking at how dark you want the shadows to be on the image. I have chosen -100 as i want the shadows to really stand out. Re-save as shadows. Moving the shadows curser back to zero, now change the exposure to what you want it to be. Save this as highlights. Ive changed this as +2.70. Ensure each file is saved as a JPEG.


Open all three images up in Photoshop.

Blend the shadows and mid-tone images together by using the move tool.

Add a layer mask.

Using the gradient tool , ensuring the gradient editor is set as foreground to transparent, as this is what blends the images together, making them seamless.

Repeat the process above, this time using the highlights copy.

All three images layered together 

This image is looking too bright, so using the Dodge and Burn tools, I can darken the trees and pathway, then highlight the sun streaming through the trees. Using the brightness/contrast and levels to add the final touches to the image.

Final result

                                  Before                                                   After