HDR Fusion lets you create real HDR photographs by merging two differently exposed pictures taken in rapid succession (bracketing). This way, highlights and shadows can be captured and thus fully detailed.

HDR Fusion 2.0 has just been released and is FREE for one day only in the App Store. It’s a straightforward two-exposure HDR app that’s fast and easy to use, but also has a lot of extra features that stay out of the way until you need them.

HDR Fusion for iPhone photography

Left: HDR Fusion 1.1, right: HDR Fusion 2.0

The 2.0 update now has a bunch of new features and improvements, including better image quality, EXIF data and geotagging, and a new self-timer. In my preliminary, non-scientific tests, it looks like the app now aligns exposures better for a sharper image. It also looks like the HDR algorithms have been improved. I noticed a more balanced exposure with the new update. My apologies for the sample image above, but the update came out pretty late tonight. I’ll try to get a better sample posted as soon as I can.

The Automatic mode is very fast — not as fast as Apple’s Camera but much faster than other multiple exposure HDR apps. On an iPhone 4S in Auto mode, it analyzed both under and over exposures and took both captures in about 3 seconds. The entire process from shutter release to finish saving took about 7.5 seconds. There’s also a new Manual Mode where you can make your own exposure points selection.

This update now combines the functionality of Cogitap’s other HDR app, Bracket Mode. HDR Fusion now has the option to disable HDR processing for capture now and processing later, although given the app’s fast speed, it’s a feature you probably won’t use often.

Again, the app is free for about a day. It normally sells for $1.99. This is a great discount and a great update.

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (4th generation), iPad 2 Wi-Fi and iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.

HDR Fusion - Cogitap Software

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