Pixiq

Let’s talk about HDR.

 This is a very popular technique in today's photography world. I see many crazy looking images called HDR, even the ones created from a single exposure, which makes no sense to me.

Obviously, everyone free to call HDR whatever they want, and I going to explain how I understand this.

I call "HDR" high dynamic range images, images with dynamic range wider than particular camera can capture in a single exposure. I am talking only about RAW captures, as I have never considered shooting in JPEG: it is like driving car only on first gear, IMO:-)

For many lighting situation there is not camera build yet which can capture the full range of bright and dark areas of the scene, causing overexposing (usually sky) or under exposing (deep shadows, trees) of the image. Usually it happens when we shoot against the sun, with objects in front of us casting shadows.

On such conditions required dynamic range is quite often more 10 Ev, and even medium format digital backs with 16bit color per channel and claimed 12 f-stop range can't capture everything without degradation of image quality.

Multiple exposures is what can help in such situations: I usually take multiple exposures shifting 2Ev step for each, capturing the darkest areas (going + on Ev compensation) to a brightest ( + Ev compensation). Then the sequence of the image can be combined into a single file using special software like Photomatix or a "regular" Photoshop CS will do a job.

Such "real" HDR can be used not only in artistic landscaping, but in commercial photography as well. Below is one of the examples when I've used HDR technique on my corporate assignment from real estate company:

This is another example how HDR technique can be used in commercial interior photography :

I use HDR only where it is needed, and the resulted images does not look "HDRish": unfortunately, many photographers mixes HDR (high dynamic range) with tone mapping effects, and the image gets not only surrealistic look but also has very bad quality when examined 100% crop, which can result a very disappointing results when such image gets printed.
Nothing wrong with using tone mapping to create interesting effects, but how it relates to High Dynamic Range? Still a mystery for me :-)

Few words about how I shoot HDR:

In most cases I shoot in manual mode, this allows me to do as many Ev bracketing shots as needed: 3, 5 or even 7. What I am getting is a ultra wide dynamic range of 14Ev or more.

An example of such 14Ev DR shot is below. Deep shadows and bright noon sun required such wide DR to get the image I like:

Another seven multiexposure HDR:

Found this interesting? Do not agree with me and have something to say? Feel free to drop a comment below, I am always open to constructive discussion:-)

To learn more about our HDR photography you can take a look at my Google plus 'HDR" album, there are many examples of very different HDR techniques are presented there:
Alex Koloskov HDR on Google plus.

And now a really great news :

We just have released the book, written by me (+Alex Koloskov) as a photographer  and +Genia Larioonova  as a post-production guru, (she is behind every photo I have released) where we explaining how we create such realistic looking HDR.

To learn more, go to www.RealisticHDRBook.com

All the best, 

Alex Kolsokov