High Dynamic Range Imaging, 2nd Edition

High Dynamic Range Image Encodings

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An important consideration for any digital image is how to store it. This is especially true for high dynamic range (HDR) images, which record a much wider gamut than standard 24-bit RGB, and therefore require an efficient encoding to avoid taking up an excess of disk space and network bandwidth. Fortunately, several HDR file encodings and formats have already been developed by the graphics community. A few of these formats have been in use for decades, whereas others have just recently been introduced to the public.

An encoding is defined as the raw bit representation of a pixel value, whereas a format includes whatever wrapper goes around these pixels to compose a complete image. The quality of the results ...