Today’s Question: When I import images into Lightroom Classic I use a user preset that includes Lightroom’s “auto” processing. I find that’s a good place to start my adjustments. I also often take bracketed exposures to create HDR [high dynamic range] images through Lightroom’s “Photo Merge” feature. Does the “auto” import processing affect the HDR creation?
Tim’s Quick Answer: Adjustments applied to bracketed exposures before merging to a high dynamic range (HDR) image won’t affect the creation of the underlying HDR image, but can affect the initial appearance of that image.
More Detail: It is not a problem to apply adjustments to the bracketed images before merging them into an HDR image in Lightroom Classic. Applying adjustments before merging will not affect the underlying HDR image that is assembled. However, many of the adjustments will carry through to the HDR image. But if you’re not happy with the results, you can always refine the adjustments after merging.
As a somewhat extreme example, let’s assume you converted a bracketed set of exposures to black and white (using the B&W treatment option in the Basic section) before merging them to HDR. The resulting HDR image will appear in black and white rather than color. However, you could then simply turn off the B&W treatment option and the HDR will magically appear in color again.
The issue is a little different with the tonal adjustments applied when you use the Auto adjustment, in that the basic tonal adjustments will not carry through to the HDR image. For example, if you shifted the exposure value for all the bracketed images, that would not cause any change in the HDR image when you merge the image. The HDR would be the same with or without the Exposure adjustment for the bracketed exposures.
Also keep in mind that you can enable the “Auto Settings” option in the HDR Merge Preview dialog, which is similar in concept to applying the Auto adjustment in the Develop module or on import via a preset. This will alter the settings based on an evaluation of the HDR image, but you can always refine the adjustment settings later with no impact on image quality.
