What is HDR Scape in Snapseed? – Beginners Tutorial
In this video we will be seeing how the HDR Scape tool works in Snapseed. This is an amazing tool if you want to give your photos a HDR look simply by using a single photo. Here’s the video:
Video Summary
This video explains the HDR Scape tool in the Snapseed mobile editing app and provides a foundation on High Dynamic Range (HDR) principles.
HDR Principles and the HDR Scape Tool
- Understanding HDR: High Dynamic Range is used for high-contrast scenes where the sky is bright and the foreground is dark [00:48]. Traditionally, this is achieved by merging multiple exposures (Overexposed, Middle, and Underexposed) into a single image [01:22].
- The Snapseed Approach: Unlike professional software that merges multiple photos, Snapseed’s HDR Scape tool simulates this effect using a single image by automatically raising shadows and decreasing highlights through “tone mapping” [02:59].
- Filter Strength: This controls the intensity of the tone mapping. The instructor warns against using 100% strength, as it creates unnatural “halos” and artifacts around objects like clouds [03:56].
- Default Presets: The tool offers presets like Nature, People, Fine, and Strong. While Nature is the default and most recommended, the “People” setting is intended to reduce HDR effects to accommodate potential movement, though its relevance for single-photo editing is questioned [05:45].
- Manual Refinements: Within the HDR Scape menu, users can further adjust Brightness and Saturation to fine-tune the look after the HDR filter is applied [07:34].
- Comparison with Tune Image: The instructor notes that similar results can often be achieved with more control by manually adjusting highlights and shadows in the main “Tune Image” panel [08:15].
The tutorial highlights that while HDR can make a photo look emphatic and detailed, moderation is key to avoiding an overprocessed, “fake” appearance [06:54].
Important Links
Link to download the images used in the video:
If you want to master Snapseed, then check out our Snapseed Photo Editing course, which has 27 videos and 4.5 hours of content. You can use the link below to access the course on Udemy:
