Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

First, I give them all the kudos possible for making changes to Neo while being in war-torn Ukraine but I hate their sales model.

The latest version of Neo adds on extensions with the first one being a pretty weak version of HDR. No problem but unlike almost every other post processing software they charge for it? Photoshop, Lightroom , On1 and Affinity Photo all have more powerful HDR which are parts of their basic products. In the meantime all of the fixes to Luminar 3, Luminar 4, Luminar AI haven’t happened.

They hinted in the release that MORE extensions will be coming..

And so no one blows me up - if you have their subscription the HDR extension was free...

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Just today I received an update notice within Luminar Neo 1.1.0 and it boldly proclaimed "HDR Extension." I'm installing it now (it's a 4.45Gb download!). I'll let you know.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I think the HDR extension is free if you have Aurora HDR and Neo.

Daniel E Loc: north Idaho

HDR Merge is very nice! Result is not near the "blowout" result from other apps I have tried...much more natural. If you need the photo more "dramatic", use the tools right in Neo.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Only if you purchase Aurora 2019. My point is HDR is part of almost every post process software except for Skylum that charges for it. It is not even as good as Aurora 2016 and not close to Photoshop/Lightroom or Affinity Photo which is my go to software for HDR which cost me $25 total.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

As stated above, I installed the 1.2.0 Neo update, which included the HDR Merge extension, and here is what I found (thanks to Daniel E, above, we're gathering some data now). First, the extension must be installed; even though it's included in the download, it isn't installed by default. After installing, there is now a "drop zone" on the Neo desktop that says you can drag one to ten photos into it. Since I don't have any recent multiple exposure shots, I tried it with a single photo that was pretty awful SOOC.

First is the original. As you can see, the detail of the rocks is almost completely washed out, the colors are drab and the whole photo is uninteresting. The second photo is after performing some basic edits in Luminar Neo (one preset, some Develop adjustments). The third is the output from the RAW image run through the HDR Merge extension. I find it quite interesting that the sky isn't as "contrasty" as it is in the edited photo. But the rock detail is a wee bit sharper, and overall I think the photo is more "balanced."

It's still not an "interesting" photo, but that's the fault of the photographer!

First. RAW image

(Download)

Second. After some basic edits

(Download)

Third. HDR Merge Extension

(Download)

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

What an awesome difference, so WELL-DONE 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

You said your original photo was uninteresting. I disagree. It is a very nice image when processed correctly! I am also very unimpressed by the HDR Merge extension. I took the liberty of processing your JPEG based on your original raw file in PhotoLab 5 using the normal tools available (not HDR) and came up this quick and dirty attached result in not much more than one minute. Note the significantly greater amount of micro contrast detail in my version including deep shadow detail. Also notice in my version the rock's look more 3 dimensional. If that is the best Luminar Neo and the HDR merge extension can do, it is all smoke and mirrors. I could have gotten even better results with my version if I had your original raw file and spend a bit more time fine tuning it.

(Download)

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Here is an alternative version. Since the shadows are short. I assume the image was taken late morning or early after noon on a sunny day. I made the rocks and landscaping brighter than my previous version. My clouds still need work. They are way too etched. However my goal was just to give you an idea of what is possible with your very nice original image.

My latest version

(Download)

Your original unedited version

(Download)

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Thanks for your efforts and comments, @mwsilvers. My intention wasn't to come up with a "picture-perfect" photo, but merely to demonstrate the difference between multiple clicks the "old" way and one click with the HDR Merge. I'm not going to base my entire impression on the HDR Merge extension on one photo (besides, I use easyHDR on my Mac, which is a full-featured, highly configurable standalone program. HDR Merge isn't going to pull me away from easyHDR any time soon!

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Yes and neo doesn't have clone and heal. So when their fancy automatic power line removal tool doesn't work it's a time to fix what is left. I have ask for the basics in editing from them and they keep saying it's in the works. It was in the intial release but to add fancy toys it was removed