I might sound dumb but

alexanderdel · Sep 23, 2009

I've never done HDR or HDRI and I don't really know for sure what they are..
Is there anyone who can define these in a clear manner so I can understand?
And also tell me how to make these cool images and make them look good?

Any help is appreciated..

chris21908 · Sep 28, 2009

il try to explain it:

an HDR image is pretty much several images merged into one. you take the exact same photo "usually taken with a tripod" with different exposures starting with taking a shot thats very underexposed "too dark" then gradually decreasing ur shutter speed which makes the image lighter. you can either start shooting pictures from lgiht to dark, or dark to light. what this does is give u exposures for every part of your photo. it exposes anything from the little shadows underneath things all the way to bright subject such as the sky. then you use a program such as Photomatix to merge all your different exposure together to form a photo that has the correct exposure for everything in the picture. some people play around with the photo after in photoshop and give it other little effects.

il be honest, i suck at describing stuff like this but i wanted 2 try 2 help. if you do a google search or even a search on youtube, u will find many other ways of explaining what HDR is. i was recently was asked by a family member what HDR is and i was like....uhhhhhhh....it took me forever 2 explain, but i finally did it!

Soocom1 · Sep 28, 2009

HDR is short for High Dynamic Range.

This is as discribed above, exposing for all levels so that the image loks "natual."
usually however, it actually bring out detail that one normally would not see regardless is a photo or in real life.

SrBiscuit · Sep 29, 2009

Let me google that for you

alexanderdel · Nov 10, 2009

Okay thanks for the great descriptions!

Also can you make an HDR from one RAW image?

icassell · Nov 10, 2009

alexanderdel said:
Okay thanks for the great descriptions!

Also can you make an HDR from one RAW image?

You can make a "pseudo-HDR", but it really doesn't have the same dynamic range as the real thing. You can download a free trial of Photomatix -- one of the more popular HDR software programs - if you want to experiment.