You’ve presumably heard the term dynamic range before. You have also probably seen that tiny HDR icon on your smartphone camera while taking a selfie or a low light image.
So, what is the mythic HDR? Let us explain. HDR or High Dynamic Range is an estimation of the difference in contrast between the lightest and darkest parts of an image. A high dynamic range would mean an image with bright whites and dark blacks while an image with a low dynamic range would mean a photograph in which the contrast between light and shadows is diffused.
While photographers swear by the efficiency of their lenses one which they have spent heavy coin, it’s our eyes that have a dynamic range that no lens can ever hope to ever come close to.
What is a ‘stop’ in HDR?
Dynamic range is estimated in a metric referred to as a “stop.” The best camera in the world can only manage 15 Stops while the eyes of an average person can see up to 20 Stops of dynamic range.
Our eyes are capable of perceiving dark tones that fade into empty blackness when shot by a camera. Conversely the range of color and brightness our eyes can perceive is equally high, allowing us to perceive a scene that has portions which are illuminated while other parts are shadowed.
When the same scene is snapped by a high-end camera, parts of the image will either be over or underexposed. Another pain point is the fact that even if a lens can manage upto 15 stops, the camera’s screen is only capable of displaying 10 Stops.
The issue with this is that when you’re snapping a photo on a radiant day or in a serious light, your photos regularly look faded or excessively splendid. Your camera is attempting to settle on the lights and darks, and this normally winds up with you having brightened photographs with absolutely dark shadows. The sky behind the scenes will be blue. However, the shadows, even the smallest shadows, will be dark.
However, there are methods and editing techniques to increase or decrease the dynamic range of a photograph as needed.
How to boost your camera’s HDR capabilities
Only post-processing can offer an image close to what the human eye perceives, slight additions to your gear and camera settings can help in creating a decent output.
1. High Dynamic Range Photography (HDR Photography)
Generally, HDR photography requires at least two to five images of the same subject taken at different exposures. Using a tripod is suggested for seamless merging of the images. Photo editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom can then be utilized to merge the images for the final output which is a lot closer to what a person would normally see.
Pro tip- Notice how we said you need a tripod? You do. Not only does HDR photography require you to take pictures of your subject at different exposures, you also need to set shutter speeds and apertures for an optimal output. A wide aperture lens – typically f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8 is great for low light photography. For brighter you should set you aperture between f/2.8 – f/4.
Once you have taken multiple photos, make sure to check that the subject or BG has not been disturbed (we mean bombed). However, purchasing post-processing software can cost a tidy bit with bundles ranging from $40 to $100. here is where acquiring photo retouching services makes the most sense.
2. Utilize Artificial Lighting:
Natural light is considered to be the best in the photography community; however, a newbie might struggle with over/underexposed images while using natural light. A photographer can gain a lot more control over the final output by replacing natural light with artificial light sources. A flash is generally looked upon with scorn, yet when used properly, it can offer interesting results. In addition to your flash, you can also use constant lights like lamps or umbrella lights.
Artificial lighting is highly effective in illuminating dark spots in a scene and reduces the strain on your camera to work upon the dynamic range of your image.
3. Get a Graduated ND Filter:
A Graduated ND (neutral density) filter is mostly used to darken the background of an image in which the BG is a lot lighter than the foreground or the subject. Witha must-have position in every landscape photographer’s gear kit, GND filters enjoy extensive usage in real-estate photography.
4. Adjust Your Exposure:
Your exposure settings play a crucial role in how appealing/ fit for commercial usage your photographs are. Today Digital cameras sport daytime and even night vision modes and while these may prove to be a fun feature for an amateur photographer, a professional would rather choose to manually adjust his camera’s exposure. Utilizing a low ISO can help in expanding the dynamic range of your camera and manage high contrasts optimally.
5. Acquire Photo editing services:
Sometimes, bringing a post-processing partner on board is the only way to achieve true HDR images. We suggest shooting in Raw so that your files have enough data to be recompiled by your editing partner into a full-blown HDR image.
It is completely up to you how dark or bright you wish your image to appear. An ideal photo editing partner would manage your exposures, adjust your lighting and even remove unwanted objects and blemishes from your photos. You can even choose to emphasize certain colours if you happen to have a color pallet that you need to adhere to.
6. Shoot in a Conducive Environment
We have already touched upon how natural lighting is an industry gold-standard. While post-processing and artificial lighting can help in creating dynamic range, nothing beats an optimally exposed image taken out in the sunlight, (or moonlight for that matter). Shots in the golden hour or the blue hour are especially attractive.
In summation
So, there you have it: all you need to know about the dynamic range for your photos. But even the most perfect photo may need photo retouching services if it is intended for commercial use or portfolio inclusion.
Don’t’ fret, we have you covered. We are IIPVAPI, the world’s leading photo editing, and post-processing partner. Drop us a line and we would be happy to assist you in achieving your HDR and post-processing goals.
