High Dynamic Range (HDR) Digital Photography

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High Dynamic Range (HDR) Digital Photography

• Jim Reynolds
• Feb 22, 2010

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Example 1
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Example 2
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Example 3
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Example 4
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Example 5
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About HDR Effects

• Renders the scene as the photographer saw it
• Captures large range of exposure values (Ev)
• Captures highlight detail in underexposed images
• Captures shadow detail in overexposed images
• Controls noise in shadows
• Final images have wonderful color infinite
  detail

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General HDR Process Steps

1. Take 3 7 exposures at different Ev
2. Load exposures into HDR Program
   (file conversion may be necessary)
3. Run HDR creation step
   (Generates 32 bit image)
4. Run Tone Mapping step
   (Reduces image to 16 bit)
5. Post process image for tones, saturation, etc

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Camera Set Up

• Camera on sturdy tripod with cable release
• Set camera program to Aperture Priority
• Turn off automatic settings such has White
  Balance, Autofocus, flash and ISO
• Set ISO to low value to reduce noise
• Use Manual focus
• Continuous shooting mode
• Raw 12 bit files

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HDR Shooting

• Compose and shoot one image as normal
• Then shoot 1 image at 2 Ev
• Then shoot 1 image at 2 Ev
• Or if available, use cameras Automatic Exposure
  Bracketing (AEB) to shoot 3 rapid exposures
  (Canon)
• On certain Nikon models, shoot 5 7 AEB
  exposures at 1 EV increments each

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HDR Programs Compared
Program Name Platforms Batch Process Image Alignment Tone Map Operators Process Speed
Photomatix Pro Win / Apple Yes Yes 2 Fast
FDRTools Advanced Win / Apple Yes Yes 3 Very Slow
Dynamic Photo HDR Win No Yes 6 Fast
Artizen HDR Win Yes Yes 11 Very Fast
Photoshop CS3 / CS4 Win / Apple Script Yes 4 Medium
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HDR Programs Compared 2
Program Name Comments
Photomatix Pro Consistent results, easy to use, fast processing, only 2 tone mapping programs
FDRTools Advanced Good control of dynamic range, Best contrast and detail, Must convert files to Tiff or Jpg, slow processing
Dynamic Photo HDR Easy to use, 6 tone mapping operators provide for great many effects including grunge, Windows only
Artizen HDR Easy, fast Good color contrast. Tone mapping is complicated.
Photoshop CS3 / CS4 Works fine with middle to low contrast scenes. High contrast scenes difficult. May create artifacts.
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Capitola Pier Normal Exposure
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Underexposed / Overexposed
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Photomatix / FDRTools
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Which One is HDR?
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Credits

• Complete Guide to HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE Digital
  Photography by Ferrell McCollough