HDR: An Introduction to High Dynamic Range Photography

Debunking Myths About HDR

If you search the web for information on HDR photography, you're likely to come across a number rules and declarations about HDR photography. Some are true, but many of these online statements are false.

You must shoot RAW for HDR generation. NOT TRUE. Depending on the program, the LDR source images may be in several file formats including Camera RAW, JPEG, TIFF, or PSD, among others. Shooting RAW offers a bigger starting color space and dynamic range in the source images, but it is not true that RAW capture is a necessity. Likewise, 16-bit files are not a necessity either. Every image in this book began its life as a series of 8-bit JPEGs.

Your camera must have Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) to capture source images. NOT TRUE. Most DLSRs have AEB, and there are some good reasons to use AEB for source image capture, but it is not a necessity. Manual bracketing, by either changing shutter speed, or by using Exposure Compensation settings (+/− or EV on most cameras) can also create bracketed source images. Shooting burst capture in AEB mode on a tripod ensures that there will be minimal camera or subject movement between source shots, but AEB is not a must-have requirement.

A DSLR is necessary for HDR Imaging. NOT TRUE. Most current compact digital cameras have features that allow for HDR imaging—such as exposure compensation—and many current compact cameras have manual or semi-manual exposure modes.

HDR images always look artificial and overworked. NOT TRUE. ...