
WHAT IS HDR? AN HDR DEFINITION
High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography produces an image with a broader range of tonal detail than would normally be produced by a single image from your average camera. In this video tutorial and accompanying article, we are going to discuss exactly what is HDR and what types of scenes have a high dynamic range to begin with. Watch this entire article in video format, or read the written article below.
FULL HDR VIDEO TUTORIALS
The following is an excerpt from our HDR Tutorial by SLR Lounge. This workshop dubbed “the gold standard of HDR education” by FStoppers contains over 13 hours of tutorials, RAW files for you to follow along, and dozens of full prep to post examples. We cover bracketed HDR, in-camera HDR, single-shot faux HDR, single-shot bracketed HDR, panoramic HDR and more! Click here for more info.
WHAT IS DYNAMIC RANGE?
Dynamic range simply refers to the range of light in a scene from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. A scene that has a high dynamic range simply means that there is an extremely broad range from the darkest shadow to the brightest highlight. The problem with cameras is that their dynamic range is fairly limited (at least when compared to our eyes). This means that if you are able to see detail in the shadows, then your highlights are typically completely white or “blown out.” Vice-versa, if you can see details in the highlights, generally the shadows become fully blackened or “clipped.” The goal of an HDR photograph is to capture more of this dynamic range than would not be possible with a single image.
DYNAMIC RANGE OF THE HUMAN EYE
The human eye has an incredible dynamic range that is estimated to be around 20 stops. A stop is simply a measurement of light that will be further explained in a later article within this HDR series. The dynamic range of the human eye is significantly broader than most DSLR cameras with ranges between 10-14 stops.
For example, take a moment and look at the room around you. Most likely, you will see a room with bright highlights where you have lighting (be it a window or tungsten light) and you will also see dark shadows where the light isn’t falling. However, our eyes can generally see the entire dynamic range within a scene like this. Meaning, you can see details in the shadows and simultaneously see the detail in the highlights. Take a moment and walk outside, after your eyes adjust, you can once again see all the detail in the shadows and the highlights (even when looking in the direction of the sun).
However, in these same scenes, the average camera is only going to see a portion of that 20 stop range. For example, if your camera has a dynamic range of 10 stops, then the camera will see half of the range that your eyes would see. Let’s relate this to our examples. If you are inside, and you are trying to see the detail in the shadow areas of your room, your camera is going to reach a limit where everything brighter than that 10 stop range will be completely blown out. Likewise, stepping outside, if you wanted to capture the detail in the clouds and bright sky, the camera will not be able to show detail in the darker shadows that are below the horizon line.
I am sure you have all had the experience of trying to take a portrait of a friend standing in front of a beautiful sunset. Remember how that shot always turns out? Either your friend is nice and bright, and the sky behind him/her goes completely white, or the sky looks amazing and colorful and your friend is pitch black.
Let’s show you a real world examples shot from a Canon 5D Mark III. In this first image, we can see all of the detail in the clouds in the sky, but notice how everything below the horizon line that is in the shade is almost completely clipped.
In this second example, we have gone 4 stops brighter to show detail below the horizon, but now look at how most everything in the sky is blown.
This is the limitation of our camera’s dynamic range in comparison to our eyes. Again, the goal of HDR photography is to broaden that range by using several techniques (bracketing, single-shot HDR, etc) which we will be discussing in additional detail. But, to give you a little taste, here is an example of the final HDR shot that we created from this scene.
ALL CAMERAS ARE NOT EQUAL
DSLR Cameras that have a broader range are generally more expensive. Sensor technology is getting better and better which allows the latest cameras to have a higher dynamic range. More recently, Nikon is currently the leading brand when it comes to highest dynamic range with the Nikon D800 having a dynamic range of 14.4 EV (Stops), whereas the locale=”us”]Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a range of 11.7 EV.
WHAT IS HDR | CONCLUSION
HDR photography has the potential to produce images that are closer to what we can see with the naked eye (or beyond if they are processed too far), with crisp detail visible in all ranges of light. Again, in this HDR series, we will discuss several techniques to broaden the dynamic range of your images.
For more HDR education, be sure to check out HDR Tutorial by SLR Lounge. This comprehensive “gold standard” guide will give you a mastery of HDR photography, from the scene considerations to the actual shooting to the post production. Click here for more info.
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
ACCESS TO INDUSTRY-LEADING EDUCATION
Let SLR Lounge guide you in your photography journey with the best photography education and resources. Browse our complete, comprehensive solutions and take the next step in your photography.
BROWSE WORKSHOPS
Pye Jirsa
Featured Workshops
Lightroom Presets
Modern Preset Pack
Give Your Images a Natural, Clean Style
Mood Preset Pack
Warm, Organic, Boho, Wanderlust Style
Crush Preset Pack
Give Images a Punch with Deep Blues
Pastel Preset Pack
Refined Film Emulation
Retouching Tookit
Retouch, Dodge and Burn and Much More