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Jun 16 2009

HDR – The Debate Rolls On

Posted by Jeff in HDR

If ever there has been a subject in photography that is more polarizing than HDR, I surely can’t think of what it is.  Okay, the film versus digital debate still rages in some camps but HDR has pretty much replaced it with everyone else.  If you have any doubts, check out these blog posts by my buddy Rafael Concepcion and Photographer Jim Goldstein.  In fact Jim’s post was made back in August of 2007 and continues to elicit emotion responses to this day (83 and counting).  As someone that is pretty well versed in the High Dynamic Range process, I feel that it definitely has a place in the photographic tool bag.  First, let me say that how someone applies HDR processing is a personal preference, which can be as heavy or light-handed as they so choose.  I actually like to use it with a heavy hand when I’m going for a more illustrative look to my images.  There are, however, ways to use the HDR process with a lighter, more photographic look that can be helpful in overcoming difficult lighting situations.  Take today for example.

Swamp-1-with-HDR Swamp 1 no HDR

With HDR left, no HDR right

I had a little extra time in my day so I took a side-trip to the Phinizy Swamp nature park in Augusta, GA.  As you might imagine, shooting in the middle of the day in Georgia can be pretty harsh, with extreme values in the highlights and shadows.  By utilizing multiple bracketed exposures, I was able to maintain detail in both the shadows and the highlights without sacrificing either of them.  Because things were so bright, I shot a 7 exposure bracket which ranged from -3 to +3 EVs.  I then used four of the exposures to create my HDR file (-3, -1, +1, +3).  I used Photoshop to create the HDR file and then tonemapped it in Photomatix 3.  Finally I brought the image back into Adobe Camera Raw and then Photoshop for final processing.  I also selected the best image from the bracketed shots and processed it in Camera Raw and Photoshop to get the best possible result I could using just a single exposure.  And while it’s not bad, it didn’t have the tonal range of the HDR file.

swamp 2 with HDR swamp 2 no HDR

HDR left, no HDR right

The next time you are challenged with a harsh lighting location, consider using the HDR process to tame your shadows and highlights.  Then take it any which way you want to go.  After all, it is your image.

Related posts:

  1. The HDR Debate – What’s All The Fuss?
  2. Photoshop vs. Photomatix Pro
  3. Are Your Blinkies On?
  4. To HDR or not to HDR, that is the question
  5. Some HDR Camera Options

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 12:05 am and is filed under HDR. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “HDR – The Debate Rolls On”
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  1. I Shoot In RAW says:
    June 16, 2009 at 5:10 am

    HDR – The Debate Rolls On http://bit.ly/1aoZfg
    via @photowalkpto

    Reply
  2. Scott Wyden Kivowitz says:
    June 16, 2009 at 5:13 am

    RT @ishootinraw: HDR – The Debate Rolls On http://bit.ly/1aoZfg via @photowalkpro

    Reply
  3. I Shoot In RAW says:
    June 16, 2009 at 5:13 am

    HDR – The Debate Rolls On http://bit.ly/1aoZfg via @photowalkpro

    Reply
  4. Jim Goldstein says:
    June 16, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    An interesting read @photowalkpro HDR – The Debate Rolls On http://bit.ly/1aoZfg

    Reply
  5. Elliot Tucker says:
    June 16, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    RT @jimgoldstein: An interesting read @photowalkpro HDR – The Debate Rolls On http://bit.ly/1aoZfg

    Reply
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Comments
  1. Jim Goldstein says:
    June 16, 2009 at 1:15 am

    HDR debates will live on forever, as photography is a subjective art form. Deep down we all love that and if healthy debate comes from discussing the merits of one technique versus another we can all benefit… assuming those involved don’t get too hot headed.

    Before I dive into the heart of my comment I do want to point your readers to an EXIF and Beyond podcast interview with Trey Ratcliff (Stuck in Customs). I greatly respect his perspective on HDR and had a great time talking to him about the technique.

    That being said while I respect the choices of others to use HDR I find I’m still bothered by the following things:
    1. It’s perfectly fine to have dark shadows or blown highlights in a photo. So unless there is a specific reason to bring out detail from end to end in the tonal range I find most people use HDR because they can but with out a true purpose.
    2. I’m a firm believer of the principle of GIGO. With photography the quality of a photograph begins and ends with the quality of light hitting a subject or scene. If you’re shooting a subject mid-day and want better dynamic range it used to be you’d wait for an overcast day or a better time of day. Now people replace decent lighting with the crutch of HDR with out realizing that even HDR photos suffer from poor lighting conditions.
    3. HDR is a great photographic development, but its one all to easily accomplished with most photographers latching on to the whiz bang nature of it. For many this overpowers peoples ability to truly think creatively about a subject they’re photographing. Creating a meaningful photo is often lost focusing on the technique versus the subject, its composition, its impact, etc.

    HDR as a technique is fine, albeit its still not my cup of tea given how 99% of people use it / abuse it. With that being said I’m afraid I’ll always be a sucker for debates about it. ;)

    Reply
  2. Richard says:
    June 16, 2009 at 3:03 am

    What camera were you using to shoot 7 exposure bracket? I use Canon 50D and it offers max 3 brackets which is sometimes too little given heavy contrast due to strong sun here in the desert (Middle east)….I know you could change it manualy after taking the first 3 photos, but stand is a must (which I don’t have yet).

    Reply
    • jeff says:
      June 16, 2009 at 3:35 am

      Most of the Nikon high-level DSLRs will let you shoot up to 9 bracketed images, like the D300 I was using. The only problem is that you can’t tell it to shoot in 2 stop increments so you actually shoot 9 images to get 4 stops over and under.

      Reply
  3. Scott says:
    June 16, 2009 at 8:21 am

    Love the article. I feel that so many people go overboard with their HDR photos. It’s a tool that should be used to get an exposure that just isn’t possible with one shutter click. An example would be where Maryland photographer John Milleker photographed the cockpit of an aircraft, but was so close to the gauges and in such a tight space that 1 shot wouldn’t do justice. John did an HDR and it came out amazing. See it on Flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmillekerphotography/3299900603

    I try to use the tool like John.

    Reply
  4. Rich C says:
    June 16, 2009 at 10:28 am

    Jeff,

    I read RC’s post last week which immediately spurred me to do a post on “the image you want.” Yes, there’s a lot of debate over HDR, and there will continue to be. Personally, years ago I was against any type of photo edit whatsoever. A photographer friend who has made a career over 31 years had a talk with me about edits, photoshop, retouching, etc. After that talk I got over my anti-photoshop feelings. Heck, gone so far as to find HDR an extremely useful tool for landscapes of Arizona.

    In the end, it’s up to you what you want to present. People can critique and rail against it all day long if they like. In my case, if my customers like it I can continue making a living. I try to create unique images, and when one hits home with customer after customer I feel like I’ve done a good job no matter the technique used.

    Reply
  5. Avelino says:
    June 16, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    I’d echo what Jim said about it being subjective — I use it rarely, and only when there’s something specific I want to accomplish. I’m not making money off my images or anything, I’m mostly doing it for myself, and part of it is pushing the process to learn more about what I’m doing. HDR is a great tool to discover the relationships between highlights, shadows and contrast (IMHO), so I definitely find some benefit.

    Reply
  6. Scott Webb says:
    June 16, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    HDR images caught my eye right away even though I know photographers were masking and editing before software like Photomatix came to be. I get confused with the entire debate, however I love it. I love it because either way someone is taking the time to comment on it – good or bad. It catches the eyes of viewers and you get feedback – they could have just skipped over the image and not said anything at all. It’s amazingly fun to try and work on something you’re not comfortable with and to see where you can take it. I see that with HDR.

    I also see HDR as anything but a simple program that does the work for you. Yes you’re capturing an entire dynamic range, but the artistic expression comes in upon development. You could have 10 people process the same images and end up with 10 different final results.

    I think anyone that loves HDR, also looks towards balance in their photography as well. I know that I love shooing for HDR, but I love experimenting and challenging myself with prime lens’ or no editing beyond the simple adjustments.

    I don’t see HDR as the be all, end all of photography and I totally appreciate both sides of the of the debate. I just hope that people that hate HDR give constructive criticism vs bashing – this would allow for conversation and things to try differently.

    Cool post!

    and @Jim – I heard that podcast when you posted it and loved it. Thanks for that talk!

    Reply
  7. Serrator says:
    July 7, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    Well seeing Jim has responded here and is a sucker for debates…I too must respond to Jim’s statements.

    Top line…all of photography is subjective and we all have preferences. So, for someone to bash others efforts is ultimately empty. My personal likes and dislikes do nothing to enhance or diminish any image presented, it is what it is!

    Now to dissect Jim’s statements from my humble viewpoint:

    1. Jim says: “It’s perfectly fine to have dark shadows or blown highlights in a photo. ”

    Conversely it should be true to not have dark shadows or blown highlights as well. I would ask, do all photos that have blocked shadows and blown highlights have a “true purpose” as Jim suggests that all HDR images must??

    2. Jim says: “I’m a firm believer of the principle of GIGO.”

    GIGO is purely subjective and has nothing to do with HDR. The end result is what matters and whether the photographer or client finds the results pleasing. Jim, you are mixing your personal views with regard to a technique\tool. It is no different than when you put on a ND filter or polarizing filter, do tools diminish the results? Possibly, but it is up to each person/client to determine, not some photographer to dictate what is acceptable for everyone else.

    3. Jim says: “HDR is a great photographic development, but its one all to easily accomplished with most photographers latching on to the whiz bang nature of it.”

    How is this any different from the transition of film to digital…the easy nature of digital format has opened up photography to many many more folks?? Does this mean we must “hate” digital photography now??

    To me Jim’s argument is not so much about “hating” HDR since I do not see any valid points that suggest we should not use it, but rather a personal rant about a particular technique because there seems to be so many using it. So from this am I to conclude that if a technique is used by many it is bad? Or do I continue to like images that I like based on my personal tastes?

    I think I will continue to like images based on my ‘biases’ and not be persuaded by others just because they say so!

    Reply
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