HDR Photography

HighDynamicRange photography is a process of gathering more light than a camera can take in a single image. HDR images are closer to the amount of light range our human eyes can see. The range of light that a camera catches is about 1/4 of what our eyes see.  If you have taken a photo of a landscape before and didn't feel the photo looks as vibrant as it was in person, it might be do to the limitations of the camera. 
Creating a final HDR image leaves a lot up to the person taking and processing the photos. It is easy to go over the top with HDR photography, but it is up to you to determine your style & how the final image looks. To me a good final image is not noticed as a HDR photo to viewer. 
Here are a couple situations where using HDR technique helped get a more pleasing result.BEFORE

• ​Here is a normal exposure with trees in the foreground.

• Here is a situation where there highlights and dark areas in the image and the image is not very vibrant. 

These images where done with HDR.

AFTER

• This image was made by taking 3 photos.  -2 EV,  0, and +2 EV.  All 3 photos were combined in Photomatix and Light Room to produce the final image below.

• This image was made by taking 3 photos.  -3 EV,  -1EV, and +1 EV.  All 3 photos were combined in Photomatix and Light Room to produce the final image below.

HDR Photography can produce images that we would not have been able to capture with one shot.  Working with HDR photography you create an image and style.  HDR photography leaves a lot up to the users interpretation and style.

Thanks for checking out the article.

Eric 

Caribbean Boat

Settings: Manual Mode f16, 1/80 sec, ISO 200            White Balance 5850K, focus mode single point, Al ServoEquipment: Canon 5D M3, lens 24-105mm, B+W circular polarizing filter, Gitzo tripod, Canon cable release                                                 Editing Software:  Adobe Light Room 6.1 Subject : Row boat, St Maarten Pinel Island    
Capturing the image:  This photo was taken on an early morning walk in St Maarten on Pinel Island.  I wanted to capture the beautiful setting and remember it as a relaxing walk along the waters edge.  Taking the photo in the early morning created a nice soft light for the image.   I used a Canon 5D M3 with a Canon 24-105mm@105mm, with a polarizer to help reduce the glare on the water and  to help bring out the blue in the sky between the clouds.  Focus point was on the front of the boat.  The camera set up was mounted to a Gitzo Tripod to reduce movement and get a sharp image.  I used a small aperture to help with the depth of field. 
Thanks for checking out the article,Eric