Sunday, February 7, 2010






Good Morning folks...I am again going to "evangelize" for the wonders of HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography. This is the process where you take 3 identical pictures ...one underexposed, one normal exposure and one over exposed and then merge all three together for the final photo.

The 1st picture above is a prime example of when HDR is the perfect solution to a problem. A problem that all of us have with our cameras because they can't adjust for bight and dim light in the same image like our eyes can. This is the classic example of a high contrast picture...very difficult to get the proper exposure. If you let more light in to expose the dimly lit barn...that is too much light for the outside snow and daylight. If you close the light down in order to get the brightly lit snow cover...there will not be enough light for the inside of the barn. A very frustrating dilemma for all photographers. The first picture is the 3 exposure HDR image and the 2nd image is a normally exposed picture to show the inside of the barn...see how the outside is way too bright?

With HDR...the underexposed image exposed the snow correctly and the overexposed image exposed the barn correctly...put them together and you have a balanced image.

The link to wikipedia explains the process. Get yourself a tripod, take 3 identical pictures ...underexpose, normal expose and over expose. Go to HDRsoft and download the free trial and give it a shot. I hope you have some fun and best of luck. If you try it and have any questions...just let me know.

Dan

16 comments:

dianne said...

I just love all three photos, especially the top one, what an amazing barn amd homestead...and the sky, wow!
Dan, you are both the poet and the painter with the camera. xo ♡

myonlyphoto said...

Dan you know this HDR stuff is cool because it actually sometimes shows us what we would see and not what camera captures. Excellent work, you are really really good - I mean it!
Anna :)

Suburban Girl said...

Bless you Dan...this has boggled my mind. Now I might try it. Does it take long to edit?

Dan Felstead said...

Dianne...thank you ...I am blushing! I think it is more that I just take tons of pictures and luck out with some of them!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Anna...I truly think it is more the HDR effect than my photography skills but thank you very much anyway!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Rebecca...it does take some tinkering and experimenting with but that extra work comes with a lo of satisfaction in what you end up with. There is a great book at Amazon (about 16.00) called High Dynamic Range Photography... http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Dynamic-Digital-Photography/dp/1600591965/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265642981&sr=1-12

Above is the link to the book. It lays out the steps involved in easy to understand language. If you are interested...it might be worth the investment.

Dan

Sunny said...

Some of us take pictures of toilets, some take masterpieces!
This HDR process is really fascinating, thanks for sharing.
Sunny :)

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...LOL! Perhaps but my image doesn't answer those age old questions! If anyone wonders about this strange conversation...visit Sunny's blogpost today!

http://www.barnyardsandbarnacles.com/

Dan

The Muse said...

Layering...the multi-exposures, the HDR...I know is an actual physical process...but to me it is so much more...it calls out like a collection of memories...time faded... clouded... gently worn & ethereal...
casting a soft shadow on our souls.

This is what your images do for me.

septembermom said...

It's cool to learn about HDR from you. Exceptional shots!

MIQUEL ANGEL LLOMPART AMELLER said...

What a good work!!!! You Have de best HDR photos I've never seen before. I will learn everyday a little bit from you!!! Congratulations!!!!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous sequence of images!
Thanks for the informative post, Dan, I shall be sure to check out the links you provided.
Have a marvelous day!

Dan Felstead said...

Muse you have such a way with words...I appreciate your comments.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Septembermom...HDR is really an exciting new process that always give you a result that you are not expecting.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Miguel thank you so much...I appreciate your comment. I know you like to take pictures...you should give it a try.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks S. Barbie...this process would probably work with your mannequins as well!

Dan