HDR, a great digital photography tool!

The photographer surveys a possible composition that contains its fair share of highlights and shadows. In order to make a single photo he knows there will have to be a sacrifice with respect to the tonal reproduction. If he exposes for detail in the highlights, he cannot for the shadows, and vice versa. Or he can take an average light-metered shot and suffer on the contrast end.

During this decade, image technology has advanced to the point where it can take bracketed exposures and generate one image displaying expansive tonal values at both ends of the spectrum. This is called High Dynamic Range. Photomatix is one such stand-alone program in this "revolution".

Popular High Dynamic Range subjects range from abandoned property to landscape pictures to urban art. Surreal images can also be produced.

The accompanying photo is of Mud Lake near Sussex, N.B., Canada. The Before image of average exposure looks dull and fails to emphasize the autumn colours. Two more shots were taken: one overexposed and another underexposed. The After image of three exposures was tone-mapped through Photomatix and not only brings out the colours, but maintains the sky's intensity and improves the many highlights of the grass, leaves and trees.

 Before                                    After

Ready to learn more about how to do this? Click here to go to Jamie's website

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