Hdr??

[TNH]

Well, this is going to sound like a silly, silly, question...


...and I feel really silly asking it...


...so please don't say that I'm silly for asking it, because I already know that I am...


...but...


What is HDR??





I'm not sure at all what that is... I know that it is some kind of post processing technique, but that's all.
Yes, I'm fairly new to photography. I've heard a lot of people talking about HDR, but what is it? I looked it up on Wikipedia, but that was really of no help at all... I couldn't understand most of it!

So if anyone could tell me what that is, I would be so happy.... Thanks in advance!

[ArmySoldier777]

You're silly for asking! I'm kiddinggg lol

HDR - High Dynamic Range
An HDR image is typically composed of 3 or more exposures of a single scene. This is typically done by bracketing exposures which is a feature most DSLR's have. You take one shot of a properly exposed scene, then the next is overexposed (bringing out all the details in the shadows), and the final is underexposed (bringing out all the details in the blown out areas, the sky for example). These 3+ exposures are then combined together (using a range of different programs. Even photoshop, CS2 and beyond, have an HDR plugin built in that works amazing on realistic HDR's) This gives you a final image with all the areas in a scene being properly exposed.

There's realistic HDR as well as artistic HDR. And you'll find all kinds of arguments on what "real HDR" is lol, so I won't touch that topic. But realistic HDR is when the exposures are blended together so that it doesn't look cartoonish, it just looks like a properly exposed scene where all the details are visible. Artistic HDR is when you start getting into that cartoonish/painted look, but it has the same principle.

Ever taken a shot of something and in order to properly expose for the subject (landscape, building, whatever it is), the sky ends up being blown out? Well this allows you to get that blue sky while still having a properly exposed subject. It also works great when you have very harsh lighting, so you're shadows and highlights both are too extreme to see detail, and all you can see are things in the midrange. This lets you capture all 3 of those areas.

[Krusty79]

Hey, HDR is on the list of forum photo abbreviations - YOUR thread! You're supposed to know all of this stuff!

10 Ways to Avoid Bad HDR | Luminescence of Nature?

[kirbinster]

Hey don't knock the cartoonish, they can be fun. Here is one I just posted earlier as an example. The original shot was BORING, but I took it for the purpose of doing this:

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Hey don't knock the cartoonish, they can be fun. Here is one I just posted earlier as an example. The original shot was BORING, but I took it for the purpose of doing this:

Yes, you did it with a purpose in mind, which is a big plus. I occasionally like the overcooked look, but most of the time I like the more realistic look. I think you'll have to admit the first example does look bad. The main reason I posted the link is because it has some useful tips.

[TNH]

Originally Posted by ArmySoldier777

You're silly for asking! I'm kiddinggg lol

Hehe, I knew someone was going to say that! lol...

HDR - High Dynamic Range
An HDR image is typically composed of 3 or more exposures of a single scene. This is typically done by bracketing exposures which is a feature most DSLR's have. You take one shot of a properly exposed scene, then the next is overexposed (bringing out all the details in the shadows), and the final is underexposed (bringing out all the details in the blown out areas, the sky for example). These 3+ exposures are then combined together (using a range of different programs. Even photoshop, CS2 and beyond, have an HDR plugin built in that works amazing on realistic HDR's) This gives you a final image with all the areas in a scene being properly exposed.

There's realistic HDR as well as artistic HDR. And you'll find all kinds of arguments on what "real HDR" is lol, so I won't touch that topic. But realistic HDR is when the exposures are blended together so that it doesn't look cartoonish, it just looks like a properly exposed scene where all the details are visible. Artistic HDR is when you start getting into that cartoonish/painted look, but it has the same principle.

Ever taken a shot of something and in order to properly expose for the subject (landscape, building, whatever it is), the sky ends up being blown out? Well this allows you to get that blue sky while still having a properly exposed subject. It also works great when you have very harsh lighting, so you're shadows and highlights both are too extreme to see detail, and all you can see are things in the midrange. This lets you capture all 3 of those areas.

Thank you!!!!!! NOW I can know what everyone is talking about when they're talking about HDR. Thanks a lot!!

[TNH]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

Hey, HDR is on the list of forum photo abbreviations - YOUR thread! You're supposed to know all of this stuff!

Hey, it wasn't one that I posted on there... you did!
Besides, when it just said that HDR stood for High Dynamic Range, what was I supposed to know what that meant??

[TNH]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Hey don't knock the cartoonish, they can be fun. Here is one I just posted earlier as an example. The original shot was BORING, but I took it for the purpose of doing this:

Hey, I like that! I usually don't like 'cartoon-y' photos, but that is really cool!

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by TNH

Besides, when it just said that HDR stood for High Dynamic Range, what was I supposed to know what that meant??

Well, you could have replied to my post. Anyway, if you want to try it, use your tripod, take shots at -2, 0 & +2 then you can download Photomatix on a trial basis (it will put watermarks on your images) and let it process your 3 jpgs.

Photomatix Pro - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Here's an HDR I made using the trial version of Photomatix. I like the drama it helped to create in the sky.

[TNH]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

Anyway, if you want to try it, use your tripod, take shots at -2, 0 & +2 then you can download Photomatix on a trial basis (it will put watermarks on your images) and let it process your 3 jpgs.

Photomatix Pro - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Here's an HDR I made using the trial version of Photomatix. I like the drama it helped to create in the sky.

Thanks for the advice, Krusty. Appreciate it... and I'll check into that!