HDR: An Introduction to High Dynamic Range Photography
Copyright © 2007 O'Reilly Media, Inc.
February 28, 2007
Abstract
A step-by-step introduction to one of the hottest new imaging trends.
We'll walk you through making the best HDR images—from image capture to digital darkroom tips and tricks.
An Introduction to HDR
High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging is one of the hottest new digital imaging trends. As of January 2007, there are over 100,000 images tagged "HDR" on the Flickr photo sharing web site alone.
The HDR process involves combining several selectively exposed photographs of the same scene and merging them into a single image, providing a much greater tonal range than is possible with traditional low dynamic range images like those produced by today's digital cameras in a single shot. By exposing different images for the shadow, midtone, and highlight elements in a scene, it is possible to create one image that overcomes the 5-7 stop exposure value limits of most current digital cameras (5-7 stops is the effective dynamic range in a single digital camera image, although the sensors do have a total range of about 12-14 stops.) You no longer have to lose shadow or highlight detail in scenes with dramatic differences between the darkest and brightest elements. By bracketing a series of images—shooting a number of photos in rapid succession at different shutter speeds—and running ...
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