HDR

HDR is short for High Dynamic Range. It is a post-processing task of taking either one image or a series of images, combining them, and adjusting the contrast ratios to do things that are virtually impossible with a single aperture and shutter speed.

How is it done?

 

  HDR is done by taking three different photos of the same scene, one photo will be under exposed, one naturally exposed and the other over exposed. These images are then all put together in Photoshop with automate, and merge to HDR which will create the image you see on the top of the three, above.

  Another way of creating HDR, could be to use a gradient filter which is a type of filter that has a black band which is feathered. This creates a darkness on the top part of the glass which darkens the sky without affecting the image, which will make the image the same colour overall.

  Here is a picture of what the filter looks like, and how it works:

 

When can it be used?

  HDR is most commonly used with professional photographs taking images of landscapes, of which in the daytime because of the low exposure and the alternative when changing the exposure of the imagery. With HDR, you can capture the sky's detail without making the land look too dark, and vice versa. However, HDR can also be created at night time because of the dark light which can be changed to light with changing the exposure of the image.

  HDR should not be used in moving images, as you risk the chance of a blurry photo which should of been strong. Because of taking three images in order to create a HDR image, the movement would cause the blur and make the image look poor quality.

However, HDR has also been used to create portraits of people in the photography industry. This has been done extremely well by Andrezj Dragan, as he as captured HDR with the elderly creating a great effect with his photography. Here is an example of his imagery (to the left):

Analysing photo's

  This photography is taken in the style of HDR, allowing this 'fantasy-world' effect to be given to the image. This can be seen by the orangeness of the widows and the brightness of the lights in the reflection of the wing mirror in the car. The bright lights in the photography give this fantasy world effect.

  What is most interesting about this photograph, is how the HDR has been captured in the style of Lee Friedlander. As Lee Friedlander has created great reflection photography, of which I researched in my first year of the course.

One of his images from his 'America by car- Las Vegas Nevada' is almost identical to the HDR image you can see above. 

  The image you can see to your left is in fact the image of Lee Friedlander, being very similar to the HDR image above. Both images capture America in their own way, which could show the comparison in time and viewpoint of each images. The HDR image above, expressed the shopping and street life of America. As it uses bright colours and a reflection of cars and shops, this viewpoint comes across very strong. However, a very different viewpoint comes across in the image to the left by Friedlander. As we can see major America building and the Statue of Liberty in the actual picture, yet just dark shapes in the reflection of wing mirror. This could show a dark and sinister viewpoint towards America from Friedlander, as also the lack of colour with the image being in black and white would be another greater example of this dark viewpoint which comes through the image. 

  

My own example of HDR: 

  Here is my example at HDR photography, I wanted to capture an aspect of the college which would really show it off in the image. I feel I have created this well, as picking the right time of day to capture my image it has allowed me to capture an eye-catching sky making the image stand out. Also, the contrast of the colours, orange, blue and pale colours of the buildings also work well to create this eye catching strong image. 

  I captured this image by choosing the best angles and shots in order to take my three separate images of over exposure, normal exposure and under exposure. After capturing these, I merged then together in Photoshop with the use of Automate, which automatically create this HDR image for you. Which I then just altered until I was happy with my final image.