The final result will be an image with properly exposed highlights and shadows, with little or no lost detail. Multiple exposures – commonly 3, but sometimes as many as 5, 7, or even 9 images – are merged in post-processing software to generate a single image with an expanded dynamic range. The magic of creating an HDR image really happens in the computer. In these situations, multiple images may be captured of the same scene at different exposure values – known as exposure bracketing – to cover the entire dynamic range. Conversely, if the darkest shadows are properly exposed, then much of the highlight information will be lost. In other words, if the camera is set to properly expose for the brightest tonal values, then much of the shadow detail will be lost in total blackness. Oftentimes, especially in landscape photography, the dynamic range of a scene is simply too high to capture in a single image. Those are amazing specs, but still no match for our own eyes. The very best performing cameras in this arena, such as the new Nikon D850 and the just-announced Sony A7R III, have a dynamic range of 14.8 and 15 stops, respectively. The sensors in today's cameras pale by comparison, boasting of a dynamic range of 11 to 12, or even 14 stops. The much superior optics of the human eye have a dynamic range somewhere in the neighborhood of 24 to 30 stops. Unfortunately, it doesn't work out that way. If only our camera could capture a scene just the way our eyes see it, one of the biggest photographic challenges would be solved. Simply put, HDR means that the range between the brightest highlights and darkest shadows in a scene is very high. The conversation about HDR – and more specifically dynamic range – can become quite complicated and is far beyond the scope of this article. I may have pushed this HDR too far…which is easy to do. Kolob Canyon, Zion National Park, at sunrise. This process should work and look the same whether you are using Lightroom 6, Lightroom CC (2015), or the latest version titled Lightroom Classic. This article will provide a simple step-by-step guide to using the Photo Merge > HDR feature to create natural-looking HDR images without ever leaving Lightroom. This feature has also carried over to the “improved” Lightroom Classic CC, but is not available in the new version of Lightroom CC. Beginning with Lightroom 6/CC 2015, this can now be accomplished without leaving Lightroom. Creating these images used to require the use of Photoshop or third-party software plug-ins. Luckily for us photographers, it has become quite simple to create HDR images. If shot and processed properly, this technique can result in natural-looking, amazing images that would not otherwise be possible due to limitations in camera sensor technology.Įven though camera sensor technology has improved dramatically in recent years, there are still times that all the tonal values in a scene cannot be captured in a single image. It doesn't have to be that way, and shouldn't discourage you from using the technique. This is primarily due to poor execution, resulting in unrealistic or even garish images. High dynamic range – or HDR – photography has taken a lot of flak over the last few years.
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