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HDRMerge
What it is
HDRMerge combines exposure-bracketed raw images into a raw image with extended dynamic range. It can work with separate raw files or multiple bracketed frames contained in one raw file, then creates floating-point DNG 1.4 output. The output uses less noisy input pixels to retain shadow detail, and can be tone-mapped later in another program that supports high-dynamic-range raw DNG images. Its graphical interface lets users change the merge mask to address ghosts from moving objects, while the command-line interface can process image sets in batches. HDRMerge can align small translations and crop output to the area shared by the inputs. Input images must match in size, orientation, Bayer pattern, and black and white levels; the manual says this generally means they came from the same camera. The maker says RawTherapee, darktable, and recent Adobe products support the resulting format. HDRMerge is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later, for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
For and against
For
- Produces floating-point DNG 1.4 images.
- Merge mask can address ghosts from moving objects.
- Command-line interface supports batch processing.
- Can align small translations and crop shared image area.
- Free under GPL version 3 or later.
Against
- Inputs must match size, orientation, Bayer pattern, and levels.
- No free trial is listed.
The verdict
HDRMerge provides raw exposure merging with mask editing, batch processing, and floating-point DNG output. Its input-matching requirements are important to check before starting a merge.
Who it suits
HDRMerge suits photographers who want to merge bracketed raw exposures and continue editing the result in a raw development workflow. It is relevant for users of Windows, macOS, or Linux whose inputs meet its matching-image requirements.
Plans and prices
Free
GPL-3.0-or-later software
Read 2 Oct 2026 · jcelaya.github.io
On the record
- Alignment and cropping
- HDRMerge can align small translations and crop output to the area shared by the input raw images.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Batch processing
- The command-line interface supports batch processing of raw image sets.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Ghost removal
- Its graphical interface lets users edit the merge mask to remove ghosts caused by moving objects between exposures.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Input compatibility
- Input images must have matching size, orientation, Bayer pattern, and black and white levels, which the manual says mostly means they were made with the same camera.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker says RawTherapee, darktable, and recent Adobe products support the floating-point DNG formats HDRMerge produces.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Intended workflow
- The maker describes HDRMerge as a way to bring merged HDR images into a normal raw development workflow.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- License
- HDRMerge is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or any later version.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Output
- It outputs DNG 1.4 images with floating-point data, using less noisy input pixels to preserve shadow detail.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- HDRMerge creates raw images with extended dynamic range by merging exposure-bracketed raw files or multiple exposure-bracketed frames in a single raw file.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to GitHub to file bugs and feature requests and asks them to include the HDRMerge version, full error messages, and a link to sample raw files.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Tone mapping
- HDRMerge handles raw exposure merging; its maker says the resulting image can be tone-mapped later in another program that supports high-dynamic-range raw DNG images.jcelaya.github.io · read 2 Oct 2026
