Why I Hate HDR Photo Technology by .. Jim Goldstein

Well, not ME, him


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Quote: ... The next reason why I hate HDR photography is that most people doing it approach its use as a novelty rather than an applied solution. In the process most images are completely butchered. This is most especially true of landscape and nature photographs. Much can be said for artistic style and there are a few photographers out there that have used HDR processed files rather creatively, but by and large most photographers are using HDR as a “gee whiz neat” function that does nothing other than create throw away images worthy neither of repeat viewing or print.

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I have seen some very nice, well balanced, HDR photos ... and I have seen a lot of images that have a ghostly, ethereal, groove going on


being discussed ... @ dslreports

what are the chances that Jim Goldstein is Phil's nom de plume?

all kidding aside, yes, I'd agree. HDR can definitely help an image shine in some instances, but it's beginning to feel like today's Cabbage Patch Kids. in other words it's the thing everyone must have (and also, can be ugly)

Hopefully, HDR will go the same way as the plastic wrap filter – sentenced to death by the fashion police

Don't forget the Page Curl filter 8•P

Philistines! I think HDR can be used creatively.

Yes, but the trouble is that for the most part i.e. almost always, it never is. Usually used inappropriately or very badly executed.

There are certainly a lot of horrendous examples out there. I especially dislike the ones which turn out all grey and the composition is all wrong in the first place. These shots are usually found on "The Gallery Which Has No Name" preceded by comments like "Is this HDR?" or "Tell me what you think of this?". Do they not ask themselves the same question before posting? Surely not, lol.

I still think it's valid though, if used with subtlety.

Gordon.

There are people on flickr producing some pretty good stuff with HDR -- for example, see ">HERE and HERE.

I don’t know - that last example set looks extremely over processed and the blending between exposures looks like it’s been done with layer masks rather than tone mapping. The abrupt changes in tone are kind of the opposite effect of what HDR is supposed to be both in result and execution indicating they haven’t been shot as independent exposures but have been jerry rigged post process to emulate HDR.