HDR

High dynamic range (HDR) for amazing results

Learn here the simple-to-follow shooting technique to obtain truly fantastic images. HDR is all the rage as photographers have discovered the unique visual effects it can provide.

Close and continue Tell us what you think We appreciate feedback on the tutorials in our Learn & Enjoy section. Would you like to take our quick survey? Yes, take me to the survey No thanks Ask me later It needs special software, but that is widely available and standard image manipulation software can blend HDR images.

What is HDR?

A scene with a high dynamic range is one with a very big difference between the lightest or brightest part and the darkest or shadow part: this difference makes it impossible or very difficult for the camera (any camera) to record all the brightness information accurately.

Basically, if the dark areas are accurately recorded, the highlights become too bright – completely white. And if we record the brighter areas properly, the shadows become completely black. So the trick is to combine low-exposure images with high-exposure images.

Not high dynamic range: to dark

Not high dynamic range: to bright

Bracketing

Bracketing is the process: we make at least three, but preferably five exposures for better results, each with a different exposure. This aims to produce one image with shadows correctly exposed, another with highlight areas exposed correctly. In the computer, we then blend them in a process called ‘tone mapping’ or High Dynamic Range blending.

This aims to produce one image with shadows correctly exposed, another with highlight areas exposed correctly. In the computer, we then blend them in a process called ‘tone mapping’ or High Dynamic Range blending.

Result of HDR blend

Want to try it? Here´s how:

Set ISO 200, or ISO 400 if you have the latest models.
Set Exposure mode to A (Aperture Priority)
Set your Sony DSLR camera to make series exposures - as rapid as possible: 3 shots per second is good (the 5 shots per second of the DSLR-A700 and DSLR-A900 is excellent).
Choose your scene: it should be bright and the main elements static - moving clouds and leaves on distant trees are OK; (but walking people make blending tricky)
Turn on image stabilisation.
Set Drive to bracket (three or five exposures – depending on your Sony DSLR model) and varying by 0.7 stop.
Try to find something to lean on, or rest your camera on. Compose your shot and check it's in focus.
Now breathe out gently, and before you take the in-breath, squeeeeeeeze the shutter button gently, and hold down until all exposures click off.
Open the images in many commercially-available HDR software and process your images. Enjoy your amazement at the effects possible.

Eager to learn more?

Exposure

Auto-exposure systems are extremely accurate at calculating the right amount of exposure for images. However, cameras cannot read your creative mind. To suit your taste or for special effects, you may want to override the camera’s settings.

Learn more

RAW

All Sony DSLR cameras give you the choice: either record in JPEG format for speed and convenience, or record in RAW for the ultimate quality performance. Which you choose depends on your photo needs and access to computers.

Learn more