What is an HDR?
Imagine taking a simple shot of something like a tree or a building and take it from ordinary to amazing.
Before After
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| A before and After shot of one of the versions of the "Mausoleum" |
You can see how the photo on the left is a photo you would typically expect from you DSLR or PAS camera, but after following the HDR process you will be amazed at the final results.
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| "Mausoleum" |
What is an HDR? According to Wiki: High dynamic range imaging (HDRI or HDR) is a set of methods used in imaging and photography to allow a greater dynamic range
between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than current
standard digital imaging methods or photographic methods. HDR images can
represent more accurately the range of intensity levels found in real
scenes, from direct sunlight to faint starlight, and is often captured
by way of a plurality of differently exposed pictures of the same
subject matter. Sounds pretty complicated. But really its not.
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| City Lights |
Here is a simple way to explain it. Most higher end and some low end DSLR have what is called a bracket shot. The camera can be programed to take a series of 3 photos at a time at different exposures. The first exposure is taken at normal levels, the second at low levels and the third at high levels. Then you simply take all three photos, layer them on top of each other (using special software) and blend your photo as desired. Now that sounds simple.
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| Iron Cathedral |
Actually doing the process is easy. Getting the results you want, not so easy. I have followed some of the greatest HDR photographers and even asked their secret. I have met all but a few with closed lips. Why? Its an ART. Every HDR photographer, including myself, has developed their own way of processing. Some more complicated than others. Some will use 3 photos, some 7 and some even 9. Some will use high photomapping, some low. It all varies. But some of the results are amazing.
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| Ecclesia |
When I look at my own work, I am mostly disappointed at the results. I would love to be considered among the great, but I am satisfied where God has brought my abilities. I love creating art. The key is to never give up trying to do better. To never stop learning, asking and growing in your abilities.
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| Alone |
HDR is my favorite process of photography. In fact the above photo was my very first HDR. I loved it so much that I named the company after it. Joshua "Tree" Images. This little tree inspired me to pursue a career in photography. Amazingly, I tried to take a shot of this tree many years later to "improve" the HDR and was not able to improve whatsoever. I often wonder if the fist HDR of this tree would have been unsatisfactory if I would have pursued photography the same.
