The Evolution of HDR Imaging: From Technique to Art Form

HDR, or High Dynamic Range imaging, is a technique used to capture and display images with greater detail and nuance than traditional static images. The idea behind HDR is that it attempts to make the image on your phone or camera look more true to life by revealing more details in the shadowy areas of an image and in blown out bright areas. This is achieved by exposing the image multiple times at varying brightness levels, and then software techniques are used to blend these images together into one.

In theory, HDR is great and can produce very pleasing images, especially when used with still subjects and a tripod. The camera records an image multiple times in rapid succession, capturing three images as most smartphones do, or 20+ as some manual DSLR users might. When applied tastefully, HDR can bring out details that would otherwise be lost in the shadows or highlights of an image. However, there are challenges to using HDR, particularly with motion.

When it comes to capturing moving subjects, HDR can be problematic. Whether you're capturing three images or 20+, a moving subject will usually ruin the image. This is because even with multiple exposures, the camera cannot perfectly capture the nuances of movement. As such, HDR is not suitable for situations where there are subtle movements in the scene, such as leaves blowing in the wind or people walking across the frame.

Another challenge of HDR is its effect on vibrant colors and interesting contrast. While HDR post-processing may bring more color into a dull image, it can have the opposite effect in images with already vibrant color. Additionally, HDR's very nature reduces contrast, which means that it may not be the best choice for capturing scenes with dramatic light and dark areas.

The Use of HDR: When is it Legitimately Useful?

In some cases, HDR might be legitimately useful or even preferred over traditional imaging techniques. For example, a backlit skier in the shadow of a tree with a beautifully lit mountaintop landscape behind her might benefit from HDR capture. This is because HDR can reveal more details in both the shadows and highlights of the image, creating a more nuanced and realistic representation of the scene.

However, even in these situations, HDR may not always be the best choice. The resulting image may end up looking surreal rather than natural, which may not be desirable depending on the intended use of the image. In contrast to HDR, shallow depth of field shots can create images that are more intimate and expressive, but may sacrifice clarity and detail.

The Role of HDR in Creative Imaging

For some creative individuals, HDR may become a new tool in their arsenal, allowing for greater flexibility and nuance in their work. For others, however, HDR may be seen as an unnatural or artificial technique that detracts from the beauty of the image.

In reality, HDR is not inherently better than traditional imaging techniques; it's simply a different approach to capturing light and shadow. While some people may prefer the results of HDR images, others may find them unappealing or lacking in character. Ultimately, the choice between HDR and other imaging techniques depends on the specific needs and goals of each project.

The Power of Stock Images: Shutterstock.com

For those who struggle to create their own HDR images from scratch, there is a wealth of pre-made HDR images available online. One such platform is Shutterstock.com, which offers over 35 million stock images for use in a variety of contexts. From simple graphics and illustrations to stunning HDR landscapes, Shutterstock's image library has something for everyone.

The best part about using Shutterstock is that it eliminates the hassle and expense associated with finding and purchasing stock images. With its user-friendly search tool and affordable pricing plans, users can browse and purchase images at their convenience. And with offer code "techwiki 514," viewers can save 20% on their first purchase.

Conclusion

HDR imaging has come a long way since its introduction as a technique to capture and display images with greater detail and nuance. While it may have its challenges, HDR can produce stunning results in the right situations. Whether used creatively or pragmatically, HDR offers new possibilities for photographers and videographers looking to push the boundaries of their craft.

For those interested in exploring HDR further, there are many resources available online. From tutorials and guides to software applications and stock images, the world of HDR is full of opportunities waiting to be tapped. By embracing this new technique and experimenting with different approaches, creative individuals can unlock new levels of artistic expression and precision.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enlet's start with an explanation of dynamic range since it's pretty likely that it'll be easier to understand what a lot of it is if you know what it is in the first place dynamic range is much like a contrast ratio a measurement of the difference between the brightest part of an image and the darkest unlike contrast ratios which use linear numbers to represent the luminance of the brightest whites and darkest blacks in an easy way that anyone can understand dynamic range is measured in f-stops each of which represents this difference in powers of two okay so let's do an example a pocket camera rated at six f-stops of dynamic range can correctly capture an image that has bright spots that are 64 times brighter than the darkest shadows this according to wikipedia anyway is about what our eyes could perceive if they operated like a still camera and just took snapshots as we went about our business but they don't instead when we look around our eyes are adjusting constantly to achieve an estimated maximum dynamic range of as much as 20 stops to put that in perspective the best cinema grade digital cameras top out in the neighborhood of 14 to 16 stops of dynamic range today and while that allows their operators to capture beautiful images that have a mixture of bright light and deep shadows without clipping or losing so much detail that all the camera captures in a given region is complete blackness or blown out pure white it would appear that to achieve what the eye can more is basically better we've still got a lot of work to do right enter hdr or high dynamic range imaging this technique attempts to make the image on your phone or camera look more true to life by revealing more details in the shadowy areas of an image and in blown out bright areas by exposing the image multiple times to compensate for the limited dynamic range of your capture equipment it's not a new technique by any means and basically all hdr implementations work in pretty much the same way the camera records an image multiple times in rapid succession at varying exposure or brightness levels then software techniques are either auto magically or manually applied to blend them together into one image borrowing the details in the shadows from the brightest image and the details on the bright light from the darkest one and putting them all together in an attempt to recreate what the eye would see if you were just looking around normally at the scene that you're trying to capture in theory it's great and there are certainly situations where an experienced dslr user with a tripod and a very still subject can tastefully use hdr to produce very pleasing images but there are some challenges number one is motion a moving subject will not look good with hdr because whether you're capturing three images the way most smartphones do or whether you're capturing 20 plus the way a manual dslr user might someone moving through the shot or even something as subtle as leaves blowing in the wind will usually completely ruin the image number two is scenes with vivid colors or interesting looking contrast while hdr post processing may bring more color into a dull image it can have the opposite effect in an image where you've already got vibrant color and of course if you're looking for like artful high or low contrast by its very nature it will reduce that effect in fact the situations where hdr might be legitimately useful or pretty few and far between a backlit skier in the shadow of a tree with a beautiful mountaintop brightly lit landscape behind her might be better captured with hdr but this is mostly only true if the objective of taking the image is to get a more practical image where you can see the details in the skiers face as well as the landscape because often hdr counter-intuitively ends up looking surreal rather than more natural but i think there's a place for that while many purists may disagree with the use of hdr entirely this is the kind of argument that i often have with my production crew where they might want a super sexy shallow depth of field shot on a product and i might just want to close the aperture boost the gain to high hell and produce an image that allows the viewer to look at any part of it and get a clear idea of what the heck they're looking at as opposed to creating something that is better art or more natural looking speaking of better art and more naturally looking what in the heck were those you may have noticed some absolutely stunning examples of hdr landscapes just there all of which were downloaded from shutterstock.com using our account which we love because of how much easier it's made finding graphics and images for use in fast as possible shutterstock.com has over 35 million stock images to choose from all the way from simple little vector graphics that we use to illustrate the points that we're making to shots of models depicting emotions that we want to express to beautiful hdr images like the ones that you just saw and the best thing about it is that it's hassle free you grab images a la carte or in a monthly subscription bundle like us and you never think about royalties or usage rights again they've got plans designed for small groups like us all the way up to enterprise grade plans suitable for broadcast television and it's absolutely free to try head over to the website and use their incredibly powerful search tool to start browsing their entire image library and pick the ones you want just make sure when it's time to check out you use offer code techwiki 514 so you can save 20 and so they'll know who sent you thanks shutterstock for sponsoring today's episode thanks to you the viewer for watching i'd also love to hear your comments on this topic please mash those like and share buttons if you enjoyed the video and hit that dislike button at least twice for each moment that bored you it helps us improve leave a comment on whether you use hdr what you use it for and whether you believe in the legitimacy of it as a as a piece of you know practical photo taking or video capture you know technique that you keep in your arsenal and that all got awkward really fast post requests for future tech quickie topics to the comments or on the linus techtips.com forum and finally if you haven't already click subscribe so you don't miss any of the awesome fastest possible episodes we're going to keep making just like this one or if you hated this one then don't worry they'll be different please subscribelet's start with an explanation of dynamic range since it's pretty likely that it'll be easier to understand what a lot of it is if you know what it is in the first place dynamic range is much like a contrast ratio a measurement of the difference between the brightest part of an image and the darkest unlike contrast ratios which use linear numbers to represent the luminance of the brightest whites and darkest blacks in an easy way that anyone can understand dynamic range is measured in f-stops each of which represents this difference in powers of two okay so let's do an example a pocket camera rated at six f-stops of dynamic range can correctly capture an image that has bright spots that are 64 times brighter than the darkest shadows this according to wikipedia anyway is about what our eyes could perceive if they operated like a still camera and just took snapshots as we went about our business but they don't instead when we look around our eyes are adjusting constantly to achieve an estimated maximum dynamic range of as much as 20 stops to put that in perspective the best cinema grade digital cameras top out in the neighborhood of 14 to 16 stops of dynamic range today and while that allows their operators to capture beautiful images that have a mixture of bright light and deep shadows without clipping or losing so much detail that all the camera captures in a given region is complete blackness or blown out pure white it would appear that to achieve what the eye can more is basically better we've still got a lot of work to do right enter hdr or high dynamic range imaging this technique attempts to make the image on your phone or camera look more true to life by revealing more details in the shadowy areas of an image and in blown out bright areas by exposing the image multiple times to compensate for the limited dynamic range of your capture equipment it's not a new technique by any means and basically all hdr implementations work in pretty much the same way the camera records an image multiple times in rapid succession at varying exposure or brightness levels then software techniques are either auto magically or manually applied to blend them together into one image borrowing the details in the shadows from the brightest image and the details on the bright light from the darkest one and putting them all together in an attempt to recreate what the eye would see if you were just looking around normally at the scene that you're trying to capture in theory it's great and there are certainly situations where an experienced dslr user with a tripod and a very still subject can tastefully use hdr to produce very pleasing images but there are some challenges number one is motion a moving subject will not look good with hdr because whether you're capturing three images the way most smartphones do or whether you're capturing 20 plus the way a manual dslr user might someone moving through the shot or even something as subtle as leaves blowing in the wind will usually completely ruin the image number two is scenes with vivid colors or interesting looking contrast while hdr post processing may bring more color into a dull image it can have the opposite effect in an image where you've already got vibrant color and of course if you're looking for like artful high or low contrast by its very nature it will reduce that effect in fact the situations where hdr might be legitimately useful or pretty few and far between a backlit skier in the shadow of a tree with a beautiful mountaintop brightly lit landscape behind her might be better captured with hdr but this is mostly only true if the objective of taking the image is to get a more practical image where you can see the details in the skiers face as well as the landscape because often hdr counter-intuitively ends up looking surreal rather than more natural but i think there's a place for that while many purists may disagree with the use of hdr entirely this is the kind of argument that i often have with my production crew where they might want a super sexy shallow depth of field shot on a product and i might just want to close the aperture boost the gain to high hell and produce an image that allows the viewer to look at any part of it and get a clear idea of what the heck they're looking at as opposed to creating something that is better art or more natural looking speaking of better art and more naturally looking what in the heck were those you may have noticed some absolutely stunning examples of hdr landscapes just there all of which were downloaded from shutterstock.com using our account which we love because of how much easier it's made finding graphics and images for use in fast as possible shutterstock.com has over 35 million stock images to choose from all the way from simple little vector graphics that we use to illustrate the points that we're making to shots of models depicting emotions that we want to express to beautiful hdr images like the ones that you just saw and the best thing about it is that it's hassle free you grab images a la carte or in a monthly subscription bundle like us and you never think about royalties or usage rights again they've got plans designed for small groups like us all the way up to enterprise grade plans suitable for broadcast television and it's absolutely free to try head over to the website and use their incredibly powerful search tool to start browsing their entire image library and pick the ones you want just make sure when it's time to check out you use offer code techwiki 514 so you can save 20 and so they'll know who sent you thanks shutterstock for sponsoring today's episode thanks to you the viewer for watching i'd also love to hear your comments on this topic please mash those like and share buttons if you enjoyed the video and hit that dislike button at least twice for each moment that bored you it helps us improve leave a comment on whether you use hdr what you use it for and whether you believe in the legitimacy of it as a as a piece of you know practical photo taking or video capture you know technique that you keep in your arsenal and that all got awkward really fast post requests for future tech quickie topics to the comments or on the linus techtips.com forum and finally if you haven't already click subscribe so you don't miss any of the awesome fastest possible episodes we're going to keep making just like this one or if you hated this one then don't worry they'll be different please subscribe\n"