Adobe has introduced High Dynamic Range (HDR) Output in Lightroom for mobile version 9.0 on Android devices. This feature enables you to capture, view, edit, and export HDR photos on supported devices.
Importing HDR photos in Lightroom for mobile (Android)
You can enable HDR editing mode for photos with HDR data. Once you’ve imported an HDR photo, you can view and edit it with the HDR data intact and export it in formats like AVIF and JPG.
To enable HDR edit mode for new photos, navigate to Settings > Preferences > Photo Import Options. This way, you’ll automatically see HDR data while editing imported HDR photos.
Accessing HDR photos in Lightroom for mobile (Android)
You can import HDR photos or capture one directly. Lightroom automatically imports photos from your device. Then, open the HDR photo you want to edit and follow these steps:
1. Access the Edit panel.
2. Scroll down to the Light tool and enable Edit in HDR Mode.
3. Tap the HDR logo at the top-right to view the HDR histogram, which helps control brightness distribution.
4. You can enable options like Visualize HDR for viewing adjustments or Preview for SDR display for checking how changes will appear. You can also fine-tune settings like Exposure, Contrast, and Clarity in SDR Settings.
Once you’ve made your adjustments, tap the share icon to export your HDR photo and choose the file type.
For saving HDR photos, simply select the Export icon and specify the Image Type, checking the HDR Output box.
Lightroom for Android currently supports three color spaces for HDR photos:
1. HDR sRGB (Rec. 709)
2. HDR P3
3. HDR Rec. 2020
These are enhanced versions of sRGB, Display P3, and Rec. 2020 color spaces, each with different color gamuts.
SDR Preview and Copy/Paste Settings
When viewing HDR photos on SDR displays, adjustments are needed to maintain their appearance. The High Dynamic Range section provides options for previewing on an SDR display and adjusting the image.
You can also copy and paste HDR edits and SDR preview settings to Presets and Sync settings.
Limitations and Other Apps
Keep in mind that HDR photo support is limited in various software and platforms. Currently, you can edit and save HDR photos in Lightroom for mobile, but can’t share them with the community.
Google Chrome supports AVIF photos and proper HDR display, making it ideal for web galleries containing HDR photos.
Other apps on macOS and different platforms may not fully support reading or displaying HDR content.
Availability
Lightroom for mobile now supports HDR on Google Pixel 7 devices that are running Android 14 – You can download the app from the Google Play Store.
On other Android devices, you can access HDR editing controls, but you’ll only be able to view SDR output when rendering the image.