As technology advances, so does the world of possibilities for capturing images. HDR photography, for example, was recently introduced to smartphones. But whether you are snapping a photo with the iPhone 6 or a DSLR camera, HDR can take your pictures to a whole new level. Whether you are trying to start a blog with your images or just post to social media, for a complete guide to HDR images for beginners, keep reading below.
What Does HDR Mean?
HDR stands for high dynamic range. Dynamic range is a photography term used to describe the difference between the darkest and lightest portions of a photo. An image with a high dynamic range is the combination of photos that have captured the darkest shadows and lightest highlights in an image. Together, they form a stunning image that contains all of the lighting elements that could not be taken in a single photo.
How Does HDR Photography Work?
The process for producing an HDR image can differ depending on what camera or device you are using, just like you will need a different Prime95 download depending on your OS. In order to achieve an HDR photograph with a regular camera, the photographer has to take three separate photos themselves. At least three photos should be taken at different shutter speeds: slow, medium and fast. Each lens speed will filter a different amount of light into the photo. Then, the photographer will have to combine each photo using photo blending software. Smartphones, however, do all of the work for you. Simply turn on your HDR image option and snap a picture. The phone will capture and combine the pictures you take into an HDR image.
Auto Exposure Bracketing
If you have a professional quality camera, the auto exposure bracketing feature simplifies the process of taking HDR photos. The AEB camera setting can be found under the camera’s menu settings. Change the exposure from one to three. Now, you can begin to take HDR photographs with your camera.
Why Use HDR Images?
HDR images allow photography masterminds to capture a greater variety of lighting into an image. This is often helpful for photos that have poor lighting or high contrast. You will notice when using your smartphone to take a sunset picture that the land below is dark. That is because your phone’s camera lens is busy filtering in the light from the sunset, so the ground below is often heavily shadowed in the final picture. With HDR images, especially for landscapes or backlit scenes, you can capture the light without silhouetting other features in the shot.
When Should You Not Use HDR?
Although HDR seems like the answer to all of your lighting problems, there are some times where HDR can actually make your pictures look worse. Due to the necessity of taking multiple pictures, it is important that your camera and its subject do not move. This makes motion shots poor candidates for HDR photos. Additionally, vividly colored subjects can become washed out when using HDR. Try to test out a regular photo first to see if it works for your subject. If you are unhappy with the result, then you can use HDR settings.
What Do I Need?
If you are a photographer or even just a cell phone photographer wanting to learn how to create an HDR image, there are some additional tools with ISPF features you can use to create the perfect final product. First, using a tripod will help to ensure the quality of the end product. Second, if you do not want to use your cell phone, you are going to need a camera that has an Auto Exposure Bracketing function, or AEB function. Finally, you should probably download a HDR photo blending software, like Photomatix. If you want to create perfect HDR images for professional photography, these three tools will help you do just that.
HDR images are made from a series of photos with different exposure. By utilizing fast and slow shutter speeds and then combining them, you can capture the lightest and darkest points of a subject in one image. Whether you take pictures with your smartphone or a more advanced digital camera, the HDR method can help turn your regular photos into masterpieces. Then, download Adobe Audition CS6 to get the most out of your creative endeavors.
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