HDR (high dynamic range) is a subject that gets a lot of attention, both positive and negative, within the photography community. Because the topic can be so polarizing it seems like there are many myths or misunderstandings surrounding HDR photography. In this article we’ll take a look at nine common myths and why they are not true.
“Zion Canyon HDR” by Ben Jackson
1. HDR is a Way to Take Bad Photos and Make Them Good
If you’ve spent very much time browsing sites like Flickr, 500px, 1X, or any other photo sharing community, you have probably noticed that some HDR photos really jump out at you. Sometimes there is a tendency to think that if you can use HDR to get a more intense image, you can turn average—or even below average—photos into something special like the ones that are catching your eye. The truth is, HDR is not a cure for bad photos. In order to get amazing results you will still need to focus on capturing the best image possible. HDR is one option or approach that is available, but it’s not an easy way to drastically improve the quality of just any photo.
2. HDR is a Fix for Bad Exposure
When processing HDR images you’ll typically work with 3, 5, 7, or maybe even more exposures of the same scene. Sometimes the thought is that since you are bracketing exposures you don’t really need to worry about getting the exposure correct. While it’s true that bracketing can help to reduce the risk of missing the proper exposure, in order to get the best results with HDR you will need to have one shot that is properly exposed, or very close to it, and other bracketed exposures spreading out from there. If you are working with three bracketed exposures and your first one is off, the others will be off as well.
“Bond Chapel” by Rick Seidel
3. HDR Photos Don’t Look Realistic
It’s true that some HDR photos have an extreme and unrealistic look, but this is not the case in every situation. There are plenty of great HDR images that are not obviously HDR, and these tend to have a more realistic look. In some cases HDR processing is used to intentionally create an extreme, grungy, or unrealistic image, but this does not mean that realistic and less extreme results are not possible with HDR. In fact, Photomatix Pro, which is probably the most popular dedicated HDR software, made improvements and enhancements in Photomatix Pro 5.0 to improve the possibilities for getting realistic results.
4. You Need Dedicated Software for HDR
When it comes to processing HDR images there are a number of software options that have been created specifically for this purpose. Some of the leading options include Photomatix Pro, Nik HDR Efex Pro, and HDR Darkroom. If you have been hesitant to try HDR because you don’t want to buy more software you may be surprised to know that there are other options. If you already use Photoshop (CS5 and later) you will have access to HDR Pro, which allows you to merge multiple exposures in Photoshop. You can also do manual exposure blending by using multiple exposures in separate layers and using masks instead of using automated software.
“Pink sunset” by Jimmy McIntyre
5. You Need Multiple Exposures for Each Image
If you didn’t take multiple bracketed exposures of a particular photo you may assume that HDR is not a possibility, but actually you do have a few options. If you are working with a RAW file you could use Lightroom or Camera Raw to create bracketed exposures by increasing and decreasing the exposure of your photo and saving them separately. You can then merge your exposures to create an HDR image. In some cases this will not produce quite as good results as if you had bracketed the exposures in the camera, but you may find that it is a suitable option for some images.
Another option is to use Lightroom or Camera Raw to increase the dynamic range by making adjustments to the shadows and highlights of your image. It is often possible, especially when working with RAW files, to get an HDR-like appearance just by adjusting some settings in Lightroom. You can use HDR presets to accomplish this, or manually adjust the settings like highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, clarity, contrast, vibrance, and saturation.
6. In-Camera HDR Replaces HDR Processing
Some cameras, especially newer models, offer an HDR mode that will process your HDR images right in the camera. The HDR mode will work differently depending on your camera, but generally it will automatically bracket multiple exposures, blend them together in the camera, and save the result as a separate image. This can be an easy way to get started with HDR if your camera offers this mode, but it’s not always the best option. Some cameras only save the finished HDR image as a JPG rather than as a RAW file, and some cameras only save the merged/blended HDR image and discard the bracketed exposures. The HDR mode can be a nice way to get started, but depending on your camera it may restrict your options for processing the image. In most cases you will get the best results, and the most flexibility, by processing the image yourself.
7. You Need a High-End Camera for HDR
You don’t need a fancy or expensive camera to get started with HDR. As long as you can manually adjust the exposure of your shots you can create HDR images with your camera. Using the auto bracketing feature on a DSLR can be a nice time saver, but even if your camera does not offer auto exposure bracketing, you can still manually adjust the exposure between each shot to bracket as needed. This will slow you down a little bit, so it may limit the types of scenes that you can capture, but it is certainly possible.
“Morning sun behind the clouds” by Daniel Wehner
8. HDR is Impossible When There is Movement in the Scene
Most HDR merging software includes some sort of ghost removal that helps to deal with objects that move between shots. By using the ghost removal feature you can often deal with small movements that might otherwise cause problems. If you’re dealing with larger or faster movements that cannot be addressed by ghost removal, you can turn to either of the techniques that were mentioned in point number five: 1) creating multiple exposures from the same shot and then blending, or 2) using Lightroom or Camera Raw to increase the dynamic range and process a single image.
9. You Must Either Love or Hate HDR
Because HDR can be such a polarizing topic, it often feels like you have to either love it or hate it. Some photographers are viewed as “HDR photographers” rather than just photographers. You don’t need to have a strong love or hate for HDR. Be open to using HDR when it’s appropriate and you will find that it can improve the quality of your photos even if you lean toward a more conservative use. And don’t feel like you have to force every photo into being HDR.
What’s Your Opinion of HDR?
Please feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments.
About the Author:
Marc Andre is the editor of PhotographyPla.net, a website that offers downloadable products like Photoshop actions, Lightroom presets, photo overlays, textures, and print templates.
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