HDR photography tip: don't overuse it

Thursday 14 May 2020, 14:28 by Nando Harmsen | 5,101 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

HDR is the English abbreviation for High Dynamic Range. In Dutch, this means a high dynamic range, or a wide dynamic range. It means that a photo has a greater dynamic range than the camera can capture.

You use a wide dynamic range to prevent parts of a photo from being overexposed or underexposed. To achieve this, you need to take a series of photos with different exposures, which are then merged into a single image with software.

This way of photographing makes it possible to see details in the lightest and darkest parts of a photo. Landscape photographers often use it, as do photographers who photograph (old) buildings or interiors.

An HDR image using exposure bracketing to capture the full dynamic range of this sunrise. This would not have been possible without HDR.
12mm, ISO100, f/11, shutter speeds between 1/6s and 1/125s
When the exposure of your subject fits neatly within the dynamic range of your camera, HDR is not needed. Check the histogram on your camera's screen. If the histogram does not reach the sides, you do not need to make an exposure bracket for HDR.

Suppose you are in a situation where a high dynamic range is needed to prevent overexposure or underexposure. Ask yourself whether it is actually necessary to keep everything within the dynamic range. Sometimes it is better to keep parts of a photo very dark or very light.

So be critical about whether your photo really needs HDR. If you are not sure, you can always make an exposure bracket and decide afterwards whether or not you want to use HDR.

An exposure bracket is not needed for this photo. The details that would become visible in the dark areas as a result would not add anything to the photo. The silhouette is enough, and does not draw attention away from the beautiful colours in the sky and reflection.
44mm, ISO100, f/11, 242s
This is one of the tips you can find in De Fotografiebijbel, a book with 105 tips for fascinating photography. It includes tips for HDR photography, as well as lots of other photography tips and advice on post-processing.

You can order the book for just 20 euros at fotografiebijbel.nl.

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