HDR

The range of tones across an image from the darkest to the lightest is the "dynamic range" of the image. Recording mediums like sensors and film can only capture a certain range in a single exposure which sometimes means you have to chose between keeping highlight detail or shadow detail.
"High dynamic range" is a technique of using more than one exposure and combining them to increase the dynamic range of an image beyond what the sensor/film is usually capable of.

There are an awful lot of people using it very badly but when it's used properly it can really add something to an image.
 
Ah ok

I am using a trail version of it at the moment just to see if i can get the hang of it and if it makes any difference. Quite hard to get my head around though
 
The example I always use is being in a darkish room and looking out of the window on a sunny day. You can try this one easily yourself. The human eye has a pretty good dynamic range so when you look at the scene you'll see the detail inside the room but will also be able to see the trees and sky outside.

If you were to try and take a photo of this scene, because your camera has a small dynamic range, you'd need to make a choice. Using spot metering, you could expose for the detail in the window. The finished picture would show the trees and sky nicely but the rest of the room would likely be entirely in shadow. Your other option would be to spot meter for the room itself. The finished picture would show show the detail in the room but the window would likely be a bright white square (referred to as blown out highlights).

In order to take a photo of the scene as your eye sees it, you would need to take the two shots above and combine them. That's HDR.

When used well, a scene will look natural, but when overdone, things can start to look a little cartoony.

Here's an example of an HDR using three exposures. The first exposure was what the camera measures using matrix metering and the other two were exposed for the highlights and shadows, I think + and - 2 stops. I think this one is well overdone but it demonstrates the point.


Dining Room by G.A.D, on Flickr
 
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If any part of your picture seems to be glowing (with the above picture the table is right but the bottom of the pelmet in particular is making the Geiger counter go nuts) then you are doing it wrong, you also can't "fix" a bad picture by running it through HDR. You should also be shooting with a lens hood and certainly not a UV filter because lens flare caught up in HDR is an abomination. For the love of god don't run it though the black and white filter if you have messed up on any of the above. Black and white can fix many sins but with HDR it makes them 10 times worse.

I await the day this fad dies out. Then I will do my happy dance.

Best HDR I've seen is where you overlay a correctly exposed original over the top and adjust the opacity accordingly.
 
Decca said:
If any part of your picture seems to be glowing (with the above picture the table is right but the bottom of the pelmet in particular is making the Geiger counter go nuts) then you are doing it wrong, you also can't "fix" a bad picture by running it through HDR. You should also be shooting with a lens hood and certainly not a UV filter because lens flare caught up in HDR is an abomination. For the love of god don't run it though the black and white filter if you have messed up on any of the above. Black and white can fix many sins but with HDR it makes them 10 times worse.

I await the day this fad dies out. Then I will do my happy dance.

Best HDR I've seen is where you overlay a correctly exposed original over the top and adjust the opacity accordingly.
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:lol: I knew someone would pick up on that weird purple glow! In my defence I only attached that image to demonstrate the principle as this is a typical scene that a camera just will not manage. I wish I still had the original three images to show as well.
 
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petersmart said:
If you look here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/sets/72157624765849404/

you will find a series of pictures where I hope the use of HDR is not apparent and has just been used to enhance the full dynamic range of the scenes.

.
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Thank you really nice set of photo's My 1000d is in the repair shop at the min as its not behaving it self so will try this out when i get it back.

Ive google.the software and so much comes up. Any idea's what is good and easy to use ??
 
Mclovin101 said:
Thank you really nice set of photo's My 1000d is in the repair shop at the min as its not behaving it self so will try this out when i get it back.

Ive google.the software and so much comes up. Any idea's what is good and easy to use ??
Click to expand...

Well I use Dynamic Photo HDR which I find very good and easy to use:

http://www.mediachance.com/hdri/index.html

And you can try it for free.

Others use Photomatix and there are quite a few free ones on the 'net.

.
 
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