HDR - how and why

HDR - how and why, originally uploaded by Mixmaster.

High dynamic range (HDR) images enable photographers to record a greater range of tonal detail than a given camera could capture in a single photo.

On the photo to the left only the brightest areas are correctly exposed. On the photo in the middle only the darkest parts look good.
By combining different exposed images you can make an HDR which allows for both the brightest and darkest parts to be correctly exposed AT THE SAME TIME. That's what I have done to get the result to the right.

Here's how it's done:

My favorite HDR tutorial and where I learned the technique
HDR tutorial
HDR-guide
Photmatix review and why one can't make an HDR with a single file
Mathematical explanation to why single file HDR is impossible


My HDR photos