High Dynamic Range Photography

I have recently been experimenting with HDR photography, and am very pleased with some of the results. HDR, which stands for 'High Dynamic Range' is a way of creating a more balanced image than is otherwise normally possible with digital photography. We are all familiar with photos where the foreground has lovely contrast and colour, yet the sky is washed out - a flat sheet of white with no clouds or other details that we are certain were really there. This is caused by the limited range of storable values that your camera can cope with - in other words, it just can't do the same thing that your eyes can. HDR photography attempts to solve this problem by combining a number of images taken of the same scene, but at different exposures, into one image.

Anyone can start to take HDR photos. All you need is a camera that can capture a series of photos at different exposures, preferably automatically in one burst, to minimise camera movement. You'll also need a tripod - yes I know they are a nuisance to carry around, but for HDR they are indispensable. Try one of the Manfrotto carbon fibre tripods - they are half the weight of a normal aluminium one.

Set your camera to Aperture Priority, and take a group of photos as follows: -2 stops, -1 stop, normal, +1 stop, +2 stops. This is a good range to start with. You now need some software that can combine the photos into one HDR image, then tone-map the result. Adobe Photoshop does this quite well, but I would recommend a standalone program that specialises in HDR. The one that beats the competition is Photomatix, from HDRsoft.

For best results, don't forget that HDR is just another way of taking photographs, not an end in itself. You still need to concentrate on the composition, layout, lighting, and look of the final image. HDR is just the 'icing on the cake'.

Here are a few HDR photos from my recent trip to India. The camera is a Nikon D300, with 12-24mm and 18-200mm lenses.

The Jami Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India

Vinai Vilas Tank at Alwar, Rajasthan, India

Vinai Vilas Tank at Alwar, Rajasthan, India

Vinai Vilas Tank at Alwar, Rajasthan, India

Vinai Vilas Tank at Alwar, Rajasthan, India

Suraj Bhavan at Deeg, Rajasthan, India

Lohagarh Fort at Bhatatpur, Rajasthan, India

City Palace at Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Amber Palace at Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Nur Mahal at Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Pushkar Lake at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

Pushkar Lake at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

Pushkar Lake at Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

Junagarh Fort at Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Lalgarh Palace at Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Meherangarh Fort at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Meherangarh Fort at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

The above images, and others, are all available for licensing in a range of sizes. I have been taking travel photos for nearly 30 years. If you would like to commission me to take HDR or other photos for you, worldwide, please see the Contact page.