Learn how to remove color casts from your image with a custom white balance in Aurora HDR.
Aurora HDR allows you to quickly remove the color cast of your photos using the White Balance Eyedropper tool located in the HDR Basic filter. Abba Shapiro will walk you through how to do it using the sample image installed when you downloaded Aurora HDR.
Note: You’ll need the latest version of Aurora HDR 2018 to use this feature.
Step 1. Create a Merged File
Launch Aurora HDR 2018 on your Mac and PC.
• Click the Open Image button to merge your own files. Select a bracketed set of images and click Open.
• Or if you’d like to follow along with me, just click the "Open Sample Image" text below the blue Open Image button.
Step 2. Create an HDR Image
Now it is time to merge the photos together to create a 32-bit image. This type of image gives you the most control and flexibility when editing tone and color.
With your images loaded:
• Check the Alignment box to make sure the photos properly merge (particularly useful if shooting handheld).
• Click the Create HDR button to merge the files.
Step 3. Locate the HDR Basic Filter
The new image is ready to develop. A great starting point is the HDR Basic filter. This is where you can set the exposure and tone sliders as well as color balance for your starting image.
• Click on the HDR Basic filter to reveal the sliders
• Select the eyedropper next to the words White Balance. When selected it should turn orange.
Step 4. Choose a Neutral Gray Area
Now it is time to choose what should be white in your picture.
• Do not choose the brightest area, such as a blown out area of the sky.
(Blown out areas usually don't contain enough color information for the white balance tool use to adjust the color balance of your photo.)
• You need to choose something that is Neutral Gray.
In this photo, the windowless building left of the harbor is a good choice. Click on it.
Sometimes it's easier to zoom your image view to 100% or even 200% using the drop-down menu in the upper left corner of the application.
Step 5. Get New Results
Aurora HDR will rebalance the image based on your selection. You should notice that the image is properly balanced and the sunset is amazing.
If you did not select the best Neutral Grey area and you don't like how the color looks, simply Undo (Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z) and choose another white point. You can also try clicking in other areas to set new white balance settings or work with preset white balances using the drop-down menu next to the eyedropper tool.
Step 6. Evaluate the Correction
Once an adjustment is made, it’s a good idea to compare it to the original image to see if you like it. Click on the Compare button at the top of the interface to see a before and after split-screen of your image.
Using the Eyedropper Tool in the HDR Basic filter lets you quickly remove a color cast and White Balance your image with a simple click.
