What are HDR shots?

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Mark789

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Mark
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Hi all,

I have just bought a Nikon D5000, previously had a Panasonic Lumix TZ7 and was wondering what HDR shots are? I understand that the below image is a HDR shot, but what is it and how is it done?

IMG_6808copy1600x1200.jpg


Thanks in advance
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

An HDR image is a series of digital images of a subject, with some frames exposed for the highlights and some for the shadows, then combined back into one image using Photoshop or other software. The resultant image is supposed to show the full range of shadows and highlights - hence the name, High Dynamic Range.

When done well, some HDR photography can be stunning. However, I find that most of it looks unnatural - halos, strange colours, weird looking scenes - the example you've posted I would class as "disastrous"! :)

Have a look at http://www.stuckincustoms.com/ for some examples of some of the better HDR photography.
 
Photo Plod said:
Hi Mark,

An HDR image is a series of digital images of a subject, with some frames exposed for the highlights and some for the shadows, then combined back into one image using Photoshop or other software. The resultant image is supposed to show the full range of shadows and highlights - hence the name, High Dynamic Range.

When done well, some HDR photography can be stunning. However, I find that most of it looks unnatural - halos, strange colours, weird looking scenes - the example you've posted I would class as "disastrous"! :)

Have a look at http://www.stuckincustoms.com/ for some examples of some of the better HDR photography.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity - why would that example be "disastrous"? Anyone?
 
Here lies the very personal views of HDR. I like it a lot, but it is very easy to go over the top and there are plenty examples of that on the net.

To my eyes the photo Mark posted looks fine but it doesn't look much like an HDR photo to me.

Dave
 
I agree with Plod on this.
Most that I see are way over done, and whenever there is anything moving it will show halos and really wierd stuff in things like clouds.
A lot go overboard and take 10-15 shots which is overkill to say the least and present what looks like a photo with filters thrown at it as an experiment.
I have a Serbian friend who does wonderfull HDR stuff that looks natural and uses 3-5 exposures at most.
Its in at the moment along with High Key which I hope will go away soon.

Photomatix is the best program to use after you have aligned the photos in Photoshop, which is a must if you have clouds or any movement such as leaves on a tree.
 
Ok - here is an example of a totally overdone HDR! Actually it's a false HDR as it was tone mapped from a single image, but it gives you an idea of the extreme false effect it can have:

p3186164-4.jpg


Here's a slightly more gentle HDR:

p810509609-4.jpg



And this IMHO is a good use of HDR to create a natural looking image that could not have been captured with a single exposure.

p618994142-4.jpg


Phil
 
Bubby said:
Just out of curiosity - why would that example be "disastrous"? Anyone?
Click to expand...

The car looks like it has had a streaky paintjob - given that it's the focal point of the image, it looks terrible! And, as for the rest of the image, nothing is added to it by the use of HDR. If anything, it looks considerably worse.

Phil's last two images, on the other hand, are a superb use of HDR that actually enhance the photo.
 
Quite simply, HDR mean high dynamic range. Many cameras today can do internally what the guys above are doing with post processing. The HDR setting in the camera simply exposes for the highlights then boosts the shadows to provide low-light detail before saving the picture. If you're used to shooting only jpegs, it's a useful technique to avoid over-contrasty pictures, but it can introduce excessive noise if overdone. If you shoot raw, then mostly you can get a better result by using the raw processor in your PC's photo program.
 
eccles said:
Quite simply, HDR mean high dynamic range. Many cameras today can do internally what the guys above are doing with post processing. The HDR setting in the camera simply exposes for the highlights then boosts the shadows to provide low-light detail before saving the picture. If you're used to shooting only jpegs, it's a useful technique to avoid over-contrasty pictures, but it can introduce excessive noise if overdone. If you shoot raw, then mostly you can get a better result by using the raw processor in your PC's photo program.
Click to expand...

I agree. But the problem I find with HDR is that it rarely looks natural. Phil's church shot is among the best I've seen for keeping it real, but even the canal shot, excellent and artistic as it is, still doesn't look natural to me. I suppose it depends what you're after, but generally I think HDR is overrated.
 
Photo Plod said:
...But the problem I find with HDR is that it rarely looks natural...
Click to expand...

You could argue the same about black and white! ;)

Here's one of mine... It's not an HDR in the true sense, it's a single image that was saved five times with five different exposure values in ACR and then tonemapped in Photomatix. I've just had the portrait version of this shot printed and it looks gorgeous (if I do say so myself).

HDR (and tonemapping) has its place in the same way as any other process... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as always. :)

Si

3212285155_6c6167a7b1_z.jpg
 
Si - that shot is stunning! Again, I'd put it up there with the best of HDR shots that I've seen. Maybe I need to immerse myself in more quality shots like that one :lol:

That would look amazing absolutely anywhere. You may yet revise my opinion on HDR! :D
 
Hehe... Thanks for the compliment. :)

The other shot I just had printed was also a tonemapped image of the Rhyl RNLI All Weather Boat being launched. The local RNLI press officer here in Aberystwyth saw it at the weekend so I've done a copy for their ready room (or they can auction it off to raise money).

Get out there and give it a go... It can produce some very rewarding results as long as you're careful with the settings. :)

Si
 
Some folk 'seem' to think of HDR as a particular style - an 'HDR' look.

Done well - it can just be a well exposed image with no clues to the fact that it's HDR.
 
As already mentioned HDR can provide awesome images but it is over done way too often. IMHO
 
As has been explained already, its a technique used to capture a broad level of details in high contrast scenes.

I like using it for a dramatic look, I think people just use it too much, and do it really badly so it looks like CGI.

I was recently having a nosey around an abandoned power station and came across a childs trike, I just thought it'd suit the scene with the industrial backdrop:

4465806832_b2d4000080.jpg


There are some tutorials out there, more commonly http://www.stuckincustoms.com but I think they're overcooked personally.
 
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