Photography ideas, camera & image editing

High dynamic range imaging are sets of methods in photography and image editing that allows for a large range of exposure between light and dark areas. The goal of HDRI is to reproduce as faithfully as possible the wide range of intensity levels found in actual scenes. Very often, real scene have exposures ranging from direct sunlight to very dark and shadowed areas. Below is an example of an HDR image.

 

By changing shooting parameters such as shutter speed, many digital cameras can vary the amount of light they let in. Basically HDRI uses this characteristic of the camera to create images that are composed of multiple exposures. Doing so create images that greatly exceed the dynamic range of any single exposure.

Process-wise, the HDR procedure starts with blending several exposures of a particular scene into a 32-bit HDR source file. This file is then mapped tonally to produce an image in which the contrast and qualities of light can be adjusted in a localised manner. As a result of this, HDRI can create incredibly stunning and rich imageries.

So much for the technicality of HDRI, where can tools for be HDRI found? Well, there is a free software that can create HDR images from your photos that are taken at 2 different exposures. This software is call Photomatix Basic. Click here to find out more about Photomatix Basic.

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