The Art of HDR photography

High dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than current standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods. This wide dynamic range allows HDR images to more accurately represent the range of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to faint starlight.

The two main sources of HDR imagery are computer renderings and merging of multiple photographs, the latter of which in turn are individually referred to as low-dynamic-range LDR or standard-dynamic-range SDR photographs.
Tone-mapping techniques, which reduce overall contrast to facilitate display of HDR images on devices with lower dynamic range, can be applied to produce images with preserved or exaggerated local contrast for artistic effect. (Wikipedia)

"This technique is used to capture and represent the full (as possible) Dynamic Range found in a scene with high perceptual accuracy and precision. Many imaging experts regard HDR photography as the future of digital photography.

Haunting, surreal, and possibly the first major way in which digital photography does something which film photography can’t emulate – or even come near.  High Dynamic Range  photography is nothing new, but as new tools and techniques make the art form more available, HDR photography is taking off in a big way". (Haje Jan Kamps)

Before above

 

 

Tommy Bahama, Clothing Store and Restaurant, The Gardens, El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA

All Available light, no additional lights added, Post production enhanced 

PS3, LR3, HDR, Photomatix, three exposures, + 2, N,  -2

Before above

 

Pacifica Restaurant, The Gardens, El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 

All Available light, no additional lights added, Post production enhanced HDR, Photomatix, one exposure

Before above

 

Anthropoligie, The Gardens, El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 

All Available light, no additional lights added, Post production enhanced HDR, Photomatix, one exposure

Before above

 

Williams - Sonoma, Kitchen, Bath & Decor, El Paseo Drive, Palm Desert, CA, 

All Available light, no additional lights added, post production 

PS3, LR3, HDR, Photomatix, three exposures, + 2, N,  -2

a Flickr search for ‘HDR’ filtered by ‘most interesting’ is a great way to get some awesome inspiration.

©2011 David Zanzinger, all rights reserved. Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction by any means and imposes fines for violation. Call 310-980-5156 for assignments, licensing and more information. Thank you very much. david@zanzinger.com

HDR High Dynamic Range

Boardwalk Pier, 5 exposures Photomatix, hand held. A little overdone in post for Grundge effect.

RMS Queen Mary Bridge, 3-exp. +2, N, -2 , ambient light, photomatix, tone mapped, windows masked, clouds and sky added on separate layer. Added contrast in LR2, PS3 saturation

HDR Photomatix, 5 images on tripod. Used compact bare fluorescent daylight bulbs to separate and highlight wall furniture. Trying to figure a way to shoot and process fast for real estate. The shadows on back wall were intentional. Painted light with a high beam flashlight and moved it on each exposure for effect...... 15 minutes shooting, 30 minutes post.

Three exposures, +2, N, -2 , ambient light, photomatix, tone mapped. A little overdone in post for Grundge effect, LR2 and PS3

Three exposures, +2, N, -2 , ambient light, photomatix, tone mapped, LR2 and PS3

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

A post-processing of taking either one image or a series of images, combining them, and adjusting the contrast ratios to do things that are virtually impossible with a single aperture and shutter speed.
When faced with a lighting situation that requires detail inside and outside of an interior HDR is one quick way to handle it.

Three different exposures are made of the same subject by using a tripod and bracketing +2, N, -2 then combined, tone mapped, in a post processing software, here I use Photomatix Pro 3.2. were adjustments are made to enhance the image.

Photoshop CS3 also has a "merge to hdr" feature as well as many new products on the market.

©2009 David Zanzinger, all rights reserved. Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction by any means and imposes fines for violation. Call 310-980-5156 for assignments, licensing and more information. Thank you very much. david@zanzinger.com