HDR Photography Explained | HDR Cameras

81
rate or flag this page

By RyanRE

HDR Photography Explained

HDR Photography is also known as high dynamic range photography. HDR photography is the process of combining 3 or more exposures of the same image. The idea behind high dynamic range photography is to highlight the best exposure for different parts of the same photograph. HDR photography typically works best in outdoor settings, or settings with a wide range of light and color.

HDR Photo Example

Here is an example of a processed HDR photo. I took this photo of a neighbors house during a dramatic sunset. HDR photos often have the look of a painting because the vibrant colors.
Here is an example of a processed HDR photo. I took this photo of a neighbors house during a dramatic sunset. HDR photos often have the look of a painting because the vibrant colors.

How did I create the photo above?

To create the HDR photo above I set my camera on a tripod and took 5 different photos that were each one 1 stop apart. My camera has an "auto bracketing" feature, which allows me to take all 5 photos with disturbing the camera. It is really important not to bump the camera when you are taking HDR photos, because any movement will cause a ghost effect and a blurry photo.

Below is an example of the 5 different photos that I took. Note that the middle image is the correct exposure. The two photos to the left are over exposed and look too bright, while the two photos to the right are under exposed and look too dark.

HDR Photo Exposure Bracketing (-2, -1, 0, +1, +2)

Video explaining HDR Photography

Proper Camera Settings for Taking HDR Photos

It is important to use the appropriate camera settings when taking HDR photos. It was previously mentioned that you will need to use the exposure bracketing function of your camera. You also need to be using a manual mode on your camera, so you aperture is fixed. If your aperture is different between exposures, your photos will come out blurry because your focus point will have change. The only difference that you want between photos is the exposure.

How to Take HDR Photos on a Nikon D50

Processing HDR Photos

Once you have taken your different exposures, you will need to process your photos into a single HDR Photo. To do this you will need to download a HDR program. I use Photomatix. You can download a free version of Photomatix here, however, your images will be watermarked until you pay the $99 to purchase the program.

Photomatix HDR editing Tutorial


Using Photomatix to Process HDR Photos

Using Photomatix is really easy. Once you have downloaded your photos from your camera, you just open Photomatix and click on "Generate HDR Image". Hold down your CTRL button on your keyboard to select all 5 photos and click OK.

Now you would have a preview of your HDR photo. You computer monitor is capable of displaying the full image, but you can use the preview pane to get an idea of what you photo will look like. If you are satisfied, click on the "Process" button and your HDR photo will be generated.

Once your HDR photo is generated you are at the fun stage. Now you can use the Photomatix "detail enhancer" to tweak your image. You can adjust nearly everything in the photo. If you want your photo to look like a painting, you can strengthen the effect and increase the smoothing. You can also make the photo more crisp and weaken the detail enhancer. It is up to you creative juices at this point.

What is new in HDR Photography?

  • Reply to Cloudy day HDR?

    colinclicks posted a reply: @nyaskovi...That flower and the tree trunks are amazing! - 18 minutes ago

  • Reply to Cloudy day HDR?

    cosmosvortex_2006 posted a reply: Those are sweet! Great Macro work sir! - 19 minutes ago

  • Reply to Rai-Block

    nyaskovic posted a reply: This is better. Is this uploaded as a TIFF or a JPG (does flickr even allow TIFF?)? I still see banding however. Some speckling too, common with posterization. Do you reprocess the files in Photoshop/Gimp after outputing from Photomatix? - 32 minutes ago

  • Reply to Cloudy day HDR?

    nyaskovic posted a reply: I don't shoot overcast regularly, and scenes with high contrast light seem to benefit most. I do think HDR can benefit almost any light however. These HDR's are shot overcast: - 44 minutes ago

  • Reply to Cloudy day HDR?

    WanderingtheWorld posted a reply: One of my favorite parts of HDR photography is taking a photo and bringing out the hidden treasures. For instance I was traveling down the road with my father and i could vaguely see some light rays coming through the clouds. To him it looked like a grey/dreary mesh of nothing as far as the eye could see.... after HDR/editing the photo he was a bit taken back. That's the beauty of HDR! You've got to love that! [http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisschoenbohm/4143364231/] - 58 minutes ago

Creating HDR Photos from 1 image

It is possible to create a HDR photo from only one image. Although, it will not technically be an HDR photo. Creating a HDR photo from one image is often referred to as Pseudo-HDR.

To create a Pseudo HDR photo you will need to have a photo that was taken in RAW format. RAW photos are basically undeveloped digital photos. Because they are undeveloped, you can adjust the exposure and therefore create the multiple exposures necessary for HDR photography. This is really the only way to create HDR photos of moving objects.

Print   —   Rate it:  up  down  flag this hub

Do you have comments about HDR Photography

RSS for comments on this Hub

TimFischer profile image

TimFischer  says:
7 months ago

Photomatrix is such an awesome app. Now they have a plugin that is integrated in to Lightroom, makes things SOOO much easier because it autostacks.

Len Rapoport profile image

Len Rapoport  says:
2 months ago

Nice job, have added you as a friend. Check out and article we did on our web site. I worked with Gavin Philips on this one and with Photomatix support we were able to offer their software at a discount with a special code they gave our organization. We don't earn a dime, but if anyone wants to take advantage of the discount feel free to do so. Go to our review at:

http://internationalpress.com/index.php?file=hdr

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

working