Lightroom Classic - HDR Merge not Working

[Shannon266039317duy]

I am trying to merge 4 HDR photos at a time in a series of 16 so that I can then merge to Panoramic.  The photos were taken with bracketing on automatically in my Canon camera.  They are the same focal length and f-stop.  I get an error message "Unable to merge photos.  Please cancel and review your selection. " I have tried it with auto-align unchecked and auto settings unchecked but nothing is working.

Any ideas of what is happening and how I can resolve the issue?

[JohanElzenga]

Automatically bracketing what? ISO perhaps? You cannot create an HDR by bracketing ISO, because changing the ISO does not change the exposure of the sensor.

[Shannon266039317duy]

I used aperature priority so the ISO and shutter speed are different in all photos.

[JohanElzenga]

I used aperature priority so the ISO and shutter speed are different in all photos.

By @Shannon266039317duy

That may be the problem. If the camera uses ISO to bracket, then you may not get a proper HDR series. Only the shutter speed should vary, the ISO (and aperture) should be the same for all photos.

[Ricky336]

It's not the problem, because I've used aperture priority when taking HDR. You can indeed get a proper HDR series. Secondly, ISO changes if one uses Auto ISO as I do. It depends on what mode you use - Shutter Priority, Aperture priority, Manuel, if you set the ISO or use Auto ISO....

[JohanElzenga]

I repeat: If you use Aperture priority with Auto ISO, then you may not get a proper HDR series. Auto ISO may kick in when the shutter speed would need to get below a certain value, making these shots all the same exposure. To get a proper HDR series you must use aperture priority with a fixed ISO setting.

[Ricky336]

On a Canon camera, auto bracketing is done by selecting the stops  +/-. Not ISO or f stop or aperture. AEB = Automatic Exposure Bracketing. The camera automatically sets the correct parameters depending on which mode you are using.

[Shannon266039317duy]

I used teh HDR Mode on the camera settings

[Shannon266039317duy]

Even so, with all settings being different other than aperature and using a tripod, I still don't understand why LRC won't merge them.

[Ricky336]

If you move your position, by even a small amount, the HDR function may not work. When using AEB, be very sure to keep your position exact. This is where using a tripod can be of great use.

I know what you are saying as I also use a Canon camera, and have used AEB. The key is to keep a very steady hand.

Also, in this case, it is a good idea to take a few shots - much like taking shots using the panorama function.

[Shannon266039317duy]

Thank you. I was using a tripod.

[Ricky336]

So, next time try to use raw - CR2/CR3. Using the HDR mode the file is saved in JPEG format. I'm not sure if Lightroom can merge HDR  JPG files.

When I use the bracketing function and merge in Lightroom, I use raw format.

[Shannon266039317duy]

My files are show CR3, not JPEG

[Ricky336]

Ok, my camera is a bit older - it uses CR2, and I cannot use HDR mode when the camera is using raw format. Only when raw is disabled can the HDR mode work meaning the file is saved as JPEG. So, I guess it has something to do with the file format as to why the HDR merge function in Lightroom is not working. I can't check this though, so there could also be a number of other reasons.

[Shannon266039317duy]

Thanks.  I appreciate you trying to help me!

[Ricky336]

Glad to help, if I can! 😊

[GoldingD]

/Edit/ Solution moved to top of reply:

/Followup/ In LrC  when you select the images in the bracket, be careful to not accidentally select a JPEG along with the RAW. That will cause issues such as poorly explained errors.

I used teh HDR Mode on the camera settings

I would have to look that up against the manual for your particular camera. But that setting may result in a JPEG image . Now I see that your RAW files are CR3, so a Canon camera, but what one?

Some cameras, might take multiple images, use the processor to create the merge, save as a JPEG, and delete the RAW. Some cameras will ignore taking the RAW data, and just create multiple JPEG and then use the processor to merge and create the HDR. Some may take the RAW, save the RAW, then process and save a JPEG (so you would have the RAW and the processed JPEG)

And if you do  have multiple Cr3 images, can you post them at say DropBox, as to share with members to see what occurs on their LrC rig.

[Shannon266039317duy]

And you win the prize!!  I just looked at each image.  The first few are CR3 files and then there is a JPEG.  So luckily, I still have some RAW files to work with.  I just tried it now excluding the JPEG and it works.  Thank you so much!!!!

[GoldingD · Accepted solution]

Apparently the solution was:

In LrC  when you select the images in the bracket, be careful to not accidentally select a JPEG along with the RAW. That will cause issues such as poorly explained errors.