INTRODUCTION TO SLRS AND HDR PHOTOGRAPHY

Now that we have learned about when to shoot HDR bracketed sequences, let’s briefly discuss improvements in camera technology for higher dynamic range. High-end DLSR cameras can be quite expensive and not entirely a necessity for every photographer. HDR bracketed sequences produced by an entry-level DSLR camera can certainly create fantastic professional photographs.

However, as you find yourself mastering the techniques you learned from the HDR series and if you find yourself running into limitations with your current camera, it make be worthwhile for you to upgrade your DSLR body. At this point, a more professional camera may open up more possibilities for you to be able to capture the kind of images you would like to. In this article, we will talk about improvements in sensor technology and exactly what you are paying for when buying a high-end professional DSLR.

DSLR SENSOR TECHNOLOGY AND HDRS

As you may already have noticed, a large portion of camera cost is due to the quality of its sensor. This is where the image is actually being recorded. In general, a nicer sensor can pick up a broader dynamic range. For example, and entry level DSLR may have a dynamic range of 10 stops with the camera sensor that it comes with. A more expensive professional level DSLR camera may have a range of 12 stops. An even more expensive high-end camera, such as the Nikon D800E, has a range of 14.3 stops.

BRACKETED HDR PHOTOGRAPHY VS. SINGLE IMAGE HDR PHOTOGRAPHY

Now, you might ask:

If we are using automatic exposure bracketing (AEB), then why does it matter how broad the range of the sensor can capture if we can simply change the bracketing sequence?

Let’s say we have an entry-level DSLR with a range of 10 stops, and we are considering buying a super high-end camera that can shoot a range of 15 stops (which doesn’t actually exist yet, but I’m sure it will soon). If we shoot a three-frame, two-stop bracketed sequence on the entry-level camera, when we combine the images we have a photograph with 14 stops of dynamic range. With the high-end camera, we can get 15 stops within one single exposure. This range is more than all three images combined from the entry-level DSLR. Therefore, a high-end camera, within one single image, opens up a whole world of possibilities.

Keep in mind that you can continue to create bracketed sequences with this higher quality camera and achieve an even higher dynamic range within your photographs. If we use the high-end DSLR for a three-frame, two-stop bracketed sequence, we have a dynamic range of 19 stops, which is only one stop short of the dynamic range of the human eye.

CONCLUSION

Improvements in technology can certainly open up an array of possibilities into shooting a single-shot HDR. Of course, in many types of scenes, you can capture full-range detail without HDR. It isn’t the solution for everyone, but purchasing a more professional DSLR may open up a lot of possibilities that wouldn’t be available with an entry-level camera. However, before you go out and do that, master the techniques that are taught you in the HDR series. When you get to a point where you feel like your camera itself is preventing you from taking the kind of photographs that you want, it may be time to buy a new DSLR with a broader dynamic range.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO HDR

• 1.1 – Introduction to HDR
• 1.2 HDR Workshop Introduction
• 1.3 What is HDR?
• 1.4 What is a Stop of Light
• 1.5 Boosting Dynamic Range by Combining Exposures
• 1.6 When Do You Really Need to Shoot HDR Images
• 1.7 Improvements in Technology
• 1.8 Installing the Presets
• 1.9 – What you will Need for HDR Photography
• 1.10 – Tripod
• 1.11 – Remote Shutter Release
• 1.12 –Lens Filter
• 1.13 – Memory Cards
• 1.14 – Backpack
• 1.15 – UNDFIND Bag
• 1.16 – Laptop
• 1.15 – HDR Software

CHAPTER 2: HDR CAMERA SETTINGS

• 2.1 – HDR Camera Settings Introduction
• 2.2 – What is Auto Exposure Bracketing
• 2.3 – How Many Exposures Do You Really Need
• 2.4 – Changing Your Cameras Bracketing Order
• 2.5 – Ceteris Paribus (Shutter Speed Changes)
• 2.6 – Capture All Shots by Shooting in Continuous Modes
• 2.7 – Camera Modes
• 2.8 – Metering Modes
• 2.9 – Timer
• 2.10 – Setting the Correct Median Exposure
• 2.11 – Nailing and Locking the Focus
• 2.12 – In-Camera HDR
• 2.13– In-Camera HDR

CHAPTER 3: HDR CONSIDERATIONS

• 3.1 – HDR Considerations Intro
• 3.2 – Using a Tripod
• 3.3 – Optimal Shutter Speedl
• 3.4 – Optimal Aperture Settings
• 3.5 – Optimal ISO Settings
• 3.6 –Moving Objects and Ghosting
• 3.7 – Using DSLRs with Faster Frame Rates
• 3.8 – Using Mirror Up Mode-Mirror Lockup
• 3.9 – Shooting in RAW vs. JPEG
• 3.10 – Macro Mode with Food Photography
• 3.11 – Clean Your Lenses & Sensor!
• 3.12 – Don’t Forget the Photographic Composition

CHAPTER 4: SALTON SEA, CA

• 4.1 – Salton Sea, CA HDR Introduction
• 4.2 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.1| How it was Shot
• 4.3 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.2| RAW preparation and HDR Export
• 4.4 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 4.5 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 4.6 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.4| Photoshop Layer
• 4.7 – Salton Sea HDR | Pt.6| Final Image Processing

Chapter 5: PAGE, AZ

• 5.1 – Page, Arizona HDR Introduction
• 5.2 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 5.3 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 5.4. Horseshoe Bend HDR | Pt.3| HDR Processing in Photomatix Pro
• 5.5 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Adobe Photoshop Import
• 5.6 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 5.7 Horseshoe Bend HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
• 5.8. Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 5.9 Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 5.10 Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 5.11– Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.4| Final Image Processing
• 5.12 – Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.5| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 5.13 Antelope Canyon HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing

Chapter 6: MOAB, UT

• 6.1 Moab, Utah HDR Introduction
• 6.2 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 6.3 Moab Utah HDR | Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 6.4 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 6.5 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.4| Processing and Photoshop Import
• 6.6 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 6.7 Moab Utah HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing

Chapter 7: SALT LAKE CITY, UT

• 7.1 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR Location
• 7.2 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 7.3 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 7.4 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 7.5 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.4| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 7.6 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 7.7 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
• 7.8 Salt Lake City HDR Introduction
• 7.9 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 7.10 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 7.11 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 7.12 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processsing and Photoshop Import
• 7.13 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 7.14 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
• 7.15 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 7.16 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 7.17 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 7.18 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 7.19 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 7.20 Salt Lake Capital HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing

Chapter 8: SALT LAKE MOUNTAINS, UT

• 8.1 Salt Lake Mountains HDR Introduction
• 8.2 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 8.3 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR
• 8.4 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 8.5 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 8.6 Salt Lake Union Pacific HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 8.7 Heber Valley Fishing Bracketed HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
• 8.8 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 8.9 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 8.10 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 8.11 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 8.12 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 8.13 Heber Creeper Train HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
• 8.14 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.1| How it was Shot
• 8.15 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.2| Single Shot Faux HDR Processing
• 8.16 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.3| Photoshop Panorama Processing
• 8.17 Uinta Summit Panorama HDR |Pt.4| Final Image Processing

Chapter 9: BRYCE & ZION, UT

• 9.1 Bryce Canyon HDR Introduction
• 9.2 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 9.3 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 9.4 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 9.5 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 9.6 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.5| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 9.7 Bryce Canyon HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
• 9.8 Road Side Panorama HDR |Pt.1| How it was Shot
• 9.9 Salt Lake LDS Temple HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 9.10 Road Side Panorama HDR |Pt.3| Photoshop Panorama Processing
• 9.11 Road Side Panorama HDR |Pt.4| Final Image Processing
• 9.12
  Zion River HDR |Pt.1| Location
• 9.13 Zion River HDR |Pt.2| How it was Shot
• 9.14
  zion River HDR |Pt.3| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 9.15 Zion River HDR |Pt.4| HDR Processing
• 9.16 Zion River HDR |Pt.5| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 9.17 Zion River HDR |Pt.6| Photoshop Layer Blending
• 9.18 Zion River HDR |Pt.7| Final Image Processing

Chapter 10: LAS VEGAS, NV & LOS ANGELES, CA

• 10.1 Las Vegas and Los Angeles HDR Introduction
• 10.2 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.1| How it Was Shot
• 10.3 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.2| RAW Preparation and HDR Export
• 10.4 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.3| HDR Processing
• 10.5 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.4| RAW Processing and Photoshop Import
• 10.6 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.5| hotoshop Layer Blending
• 10.7 Las Vegas Aria HDR |Pt.6| Final Image Processing
• 10.8 Downtown Los Angeles HDR |Pt.1| How it was Shot
• 10.9 Downtown Los Agneles HDR |Pt.2| Single Shot Faux HDR Processing

Chapter 11: BONUS

• 11.1 Heber Creeper Train HDR
• 11.2 Heber Valley Fishing SIngle Shot HDR
• 11.3 Uinta Summit Bracket HDR
• 11.4 Bryce Canyon Panorama HDR
• 11.5 Zion Entrance Panorama HDR
• 11.6 Las Vegas Cleveland Clinic HDR
• 11.7 Palos Verdes HDR
• 11.8 Shen Zhen Pier HDR
• 11.9 China Street Photography HDR
• 11.10 Stearns Wharf HDR

Total Course Run Time: 13H 6M 50S

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