The ultimate guide to HDR photography
Haunting, surreal, and quite possibly the first major way in which digital photography does something which film photography can’t emulate - or even come near. HDR - or High Dynamic Range - photography is nothing new, but as new tools and techniques make the artform more available, HDR photography is taking off in a big way.
If you’ve never had a go… and especially if you don’t even know what I’m on about - you’re in for a real treat…
What is HDR Photography?
High Dynamic Range photography or HDR photography is an advanced set of photography techniques that play on image’s dynamic range in exposures. HDR Photography allows photographers to capture a greater range of tonal detail than any camera could capture thru a single photo.
While many imaging experts regard HDR photography as the future of digital photography, the discipline has long been in existence.
HDR photography is present in many pictures taken through modern day digital cameras. The truth is, if you are a real photography enthusiast then there is a great chance that you have taken at least one photo exemplifying HDR photography.
The real functions or even executions of HDR photography may be debatable. But no matter which website or source you consult they will always say it is a technique that employs the great use of exposure range to get distinct values between light and dark areas of the image. Its real intention is to create an image that accurately characterizes the intensity levels found in natural scenes. If you ever wondered why the picture you took was different from the scenery you actually saw, then maybe it’s time for you to learn HDR photography.
HDR Photography is the technique used to capture and represent the full (as possible) DR found in a scene with high perceptual accuracy and precision. To remember things better, think of the 3S: sunlight, shadows and subjects. These are the things that make an ordinary picture an HDR image.
The history of HDR Photography
While the technique is more commonly used now to create astounding images of art, fashion and landscape photography, HDR photography’s humble beginning is ironically designed to capture a rather fearing, shocking and destructive image – nuclear explosion.
Charles Wyckoff (the same guy who inspired Computational Photography) developed HDR photography in 1930s to 1940s. He is genius who took the 1940s Life magazine cover of nuclear explosions – an image that would later change the world. Of course the technique didn’t have the acronym HDR before, but the principles remained the same.
A deeper and perhaps more scientific understanding of HDR photography and imaging was first introduced in 1993. This was done by playing on two established photography elements: tone mapping and bracketing. A complex mathematical theory regarding differently exposed images of the same subject matter was then released two years after. Paul Debevec, a computer graphic researcher, applied this theory and combined several differently exposed images to produce a single HDR image was accomplished. Talk about putting a lot of science and even math to discipline.
Today, things are a lot easier. Thanks to the wide selection of portable and digital cameras as well as easy-to-use software, HDR is no longer limited to people studying nuclear explosion and computer graphics technology. But the technology on image capture, storage, editing and printing devices still has some limitations. And since each of these elements affect the DR of image; we need to study them if we want to get an HDR image with superb quality.
Theory Behind HDR photography
There are two theories behind HDR photography. And as the technology around HDR photography evolves so is the discipline itself. But if one wants to take HDR imagery seriously then he must first understand the concepts and theories that make up this discipline.
The most fundamental of all HDR photography theories is to take multiple shots at varying exposure levels of a particular subject. A special computer program will then combine the images together into a single image. This is just an incarnation of the original theory during the time when there are no digital cameras and advanced computers and programs were nothing more than a work of science-fiction.
The second theory is the one that capitalizes on the RAW processing software to create various exposure levels of the same image. Modern Digital SLR camera and a lot of the Point and Shoot models allow photographers to capture RAW images. A RAW image or file is the data captured by your Camera’s sensor that is not processed yet and therefore does have color information. You can manipulate this file, adjust its color, lighting or while balance.
How to gather data for HDR photographs
Taking the images is the first stage in HDR photography. You can use a simple point and shoot camera or a fully configurable digital SLR camera camera.
In both techniques you will need a camera with configurable exposure settings. All DSLRs and most point and shoot cameras have this. Certain SLR cameras have bracketing function which makes it easier for photographers to change exposure settings.
For starters, you can use the following setting: ISO 200 and Aperture Priority Mode. And as they say good things come in threes, you can take picture with three different exposure settings: EV 0, EV -2 and EV +2. You can experiment more on these but generally speaking, the more exposure versions you can have, the better your final image will be.
It is recommended to use a tripod when taking HDR photo. This is because tripod stabilizes the camera and you need to get the clearest image you can get since you are experimenting on exposure values. The best way to do this is to use a shutter remote or if your camera doesn’t have one, just make sure you press the shutter button lightly.
Post-processing
Post processing is the last stage in HDR photography that you can really control. This is where technical skills merge with creative sensibility. And with the introduction of advanced digital cameras and photo editing software, HDR image post-processing is made a lot easier.
However, this does not guarantee that having an excellent HDR image will be as easy as clicking the shutter button. There may be times that the three or more images you took with varying exposure values are simply not enough. With this, the only chance you are left with is to do a post-processing of the image.
Post-processing generally involves color correction, saturation, contrast and brightness and darkness adjustment and other image element manipulation. But in HDR photography we need to concentrate on contrast and brightness and darkness adjustment. Brightness and darkness adjustment is the direct digital translation of exposure manipulation in the picture taking stage. If in the camera you adjust exposure settings, in the post-processing stage you will adjust the brightness.
The main advantage of process is surpassing the limitation of actually configuring your camera in different exposure levels. While some cameras may have eight exposure settings and therefore 8 different images, post-processing can simply give you a limitless number.
After the shoot, transfer the images to your computer. There is a merge to HDR feature in many photo editing software including Adobe Photoshop CS2 and above, Photomatix Pro, Dynamic Photo HDR and others.
Post-processing software also allows you to blend photographs with different exposures. This clearly increases the dynamic range of the final output photo. There is also tone mapping which reveals highlight and shadow details in an HDR image made from multiple exposures.
Further exploration
Whether you are an HDR photography amateur, hobbyists or a professional these websites will surely give you something to focus on.
The site claims that it is the first and most visited HDR tutorial on the web. It offers easy to understand tutorials as well as Photomatix software walkthrough. But we think HDR101’s best content is the monthly favorite Flickr.com HDR photos.
HDRSoft, maker of one of the most popular HDR software Photomatix gathered tutorials, DVDs and videos as well as mailing list subscriptions for all HDR photography enthusiasts.
CambridgeInColour offers photography tutorials and forum where photography professionals and enthusiasts like you can discuss anything about photography.
This HDR group has 30,000 members and counting. Share your passion and be inspired with HDR images on different subjects taken by photographers from all over the world.
SmashingMagazine’s 35 Fantastic HDR Pictures
One of the most popular blogs combined “35 extremely beautiful and perfectly executed HDR-pictures” on different subjects and execution.
Camera, equipment and photography software reviews and video tutorials on HDR photography all in one place.
HDRcreme is the first HDR photo gallery that lets you share photos, explore and learn about High dynamic range imaging.
A Single link to many great HDR Photography resources.
Photo credits
The photos in this article are from Flickr, licenced under CC/Attribution licence. See the full-size photos of Pasargad Bank Branch by Hamed Saber, Moon on Mars by Extranoise, Tour Eiffel by Al Ianni and HDR 01 by CodyR on Flickr.
Top tip: a Flickr search for ‘HDR’ filtered by ‘most interesting’ is a great way to get some awesome inspiration.
Enjoy!
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Insights, suggestions and comments
hideous. absolutely hideous. the first 2 pics are perfect examples of why so many people hate hdr. skies with grungy overtones and horrible blue halos around the edge. piling on more doesn’t necessarily make a better picture. the other 2? why stack? just do a photoshop abortion to any old picture
Great post. HDR is great but I don’t like it when you can see that the photo is obviously HDR. I like to try and use HDR so that you can hardly tell it has been used. It can really make a photo POP if used right. Here are a few of mine:
http://www.willbl.com/2008/08/misty-morning/
http://www.willbl.com/2008/07/cave/
http://www.willbl.com/2007/12/emerald-lakes-tongariro-crossing/
Agreed, the first two pictures are WAY overprocessed. If you get the halos after tone-mapping, you’re doing something wrong.
Don’t listen to nate, I’m really glad you put this together. I’ve been aching to try this, and what do you know! One of my favorite photoblogs slaps it right on my figurative desk.
I’ve never understood what people try to achieve through the use of HDR, it’s just another gimmick.
Ansel Adams pretty much nailed true HDR through proper skill and technique, in one single exposure, 70 years ago.
These new age digital HDR photos make me somewhat nauseous. It’s just decorative art.
People never seem to be able to use any sort of subtlety, they always overdo it, and like nate said, get that crap looking typical HDR effect.
Will, your Cave photo is stunning - fantastic work!
I agree with Will, using the HDR to extend the dynamic range is OK, but too many HDRs are just ugly and grossly overprocessed. Stunning image of the cave, btw!
HDR is just another technique that can be used and/or abused. The artist gets the opportunity to decide exactly where to go with the image, and it can go from subtle to hitting the viewer over the head.
Then again, sometimes it is the only way to get incredible detail that would otherwise never exist. An example of this is the extreme panoramic I created in Edinburgh while shooting from the top of the Sir Walter Scott Monument. The image can be seen at http://glsmyth.com/projects/scotland/edinburgh/edinburgh.htm.
You forgot to mention a trick. When using the camera on the tripod, if you don’t have a remote trigger you can avoid camera shake by using the self timer.
funny. i used to read this blog pretty regularly and came back to it today to see my photo on the front page! that example is not really my favorite because, as you can tell from its name, it’s one of my earliest experiments.
i’m used to seeing HDR haters on the internet and by this point, i’m sort of over trying to defend it as an interesting and more importantly - fun! - technique. usually when people wonder what the heck HDR is doing anyway, i point them to a comparison of a shot i took from the same exact spot, on the same exact day as another flickr user who did not use HDR.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/codyr/207595990
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hapgood/304712265
StuckInCustoms has a good HDR tutorial to go along with these wonderful tips. I’ve just started experimenting with HDR, and there are definitely folks who like the more “subtle” look. The technique itself is fascinating with so much room to experiment.
Great article! :) The most comprehensive HDR photography article I’ve read so far! :)
Hi I am new to HDR, took a couple of my first shots today. I am curious though about one thing. I have seen some photos on flickr that have people in them and I was wondering how an HDR photo was taken with them? You could also look at the picture of the Eiffel Tower you have above. People are obviously going to move while you’re taking your photo’s. So how does one take an HDR photo with people?
Wow lovely all that detail….
zach: A good DSLR would have the minim fps of 3 i.e it will take at least 3 shots per second in continuous mode. While a second is a long time for people to move, it will still make sure that movements are kept to a minimum. Also just in case u are not using a tripod, you will find it handy that photoshop has a feature to realign images automatically for HDR merging. Hope that helps.
This is such a great article, the whole site seems awesome. My biggest thing with hdr is getting the artistic look without the overdone colors. I’m currently trying to get a blog up and running about lightroom 2 if anyone wants to help contribute some articles etc. Please take a moment to view the blog at the following link Click here for lightroom 2 blog
Zach read the final paragraph in the section marked Theory Behind HDR photographs. Think a little laterally about editing a bunch of various tonal ranges from the same shot processed in RAW and then do the HDR thing.
Good pictures are about a good subject carefully exposed and framed. I think good processing film or digital shouldn’t be obvious. I think it should serve the picture.. When a picture is about the treatment and not the content I think it tends to fall over.
I have 20 different versions of Summertime on my iPod, ranging from country, trip hop, club mixes, Janis Joplin Louis Armstrong, operatic styles and so on. They all sound good.. Some better than others but essentially they all sound good because it’s a great song in the first place.
A good picture is a good picture. You can throw all the digital fairy dust at a bad image but in the end it’s just a heavily treated bad image. IMHO most HDR images I’ve seen could do with a little less “HDR”
Just a thought.
http://www.stuckincustoms.com has some of the most amazing HDR work I have seen, and he also has a great tutorial on the subject here …. ( http://stuckincustoms.com/2006/06/06/548/ )
Great Article!
eat5hams: Great tip, thank you very much!
thanx,overprocessed I think it’s what Hdr is all about sometimes,anyways I love experimenting with the subject!
Great Article!!!
There is a lot of buzz on the internet on HDR photography. any photographers think HDR photography is a party trick but this is defiantly not true. High Dynamic Range Photography is a major part of the future of photography. HDR photography is a new technology so many photographers are skeptical or unfamiliar with it. Like in any business you have to learn the new technology or trends, ignoring it or being scared to learn something new will just get you left behind. Information is power.
I think the words
“… quite possibly the first major way in which digital photography does something which film photography can’t emulate - or even come near:.
Is a little untrue. To begin with, film has a much higher dynamic range straight out of the camera than any DSLR. Most of the time the purpose of HDR is to reciprocate the dynamic range of film or the eye in general. The fact that multiple digital photographs have to be taken, imported into photoshop, tonemapped, and put together to emulate film is a statement in and of itself.
Thank you for your wonderful tutorial. I am in Japan and love shooting hdr!
this is how ‘fake HDR’ helps to enhance my photo.captured with a crappy 3.2MP handphone camera.i mean by fake cause it was only 1 photo snapped.http://www.flickr.com/photos/38244635@N08/3548322142/
this is how ‘fake HDR’ helps to enhance my photo.captured with a crappy 3.2MP handphone camera.i mean by fake cause it was only 1 photo snapped.
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