First off, a tip of the hat to Ron; aka Tick.

As it was his recent upload, namely that of "Sunset Games" that led me to this e-zine on digital photography and subsequently the article that this post is focussed on.

Now then, the article ...


"HDR Is The Question" - "When (and when not) to use HDR techniques."


Salient points:

"There’s no substitute for good light." (page one)


"RAW Files Are Packed With Data." (page two)

"Note that you can expand the dynamic range of a RAW file only a few stops. That’s compared to many stops when taking a series of pictures for processing in software like Photomatix.

When you want detail in both the shadow and highlight areas of a scene, you’ll need to think HDR, expanding the dynamic range with skillful processing of a RAW file or from a Photomatix image.

... Photomatix tends to oversaturate strong colors, like the orange buttes in the background. Oversaturation can cause a loss in detail. Notice that the RAW-processed image shows more detail ..."


"When HDR Rules"

"When the contrast range of a scene is very wide, HDR rules. However, just because you can almost completely open up the shadow areas of a scene doesn’t necessarily mean that you want all that detail in an image."


"HDR Is Not a Magic Fix" (page three)

"In both images, HDR was used to avoid blocked-up shadows and overexposed highlights, which were caused by the strong shadow of the sun."


"Strong Light Might Be the Right Light" (page four)

"... an example of when strong, direct sunlight can be the right light—again, no HDR required. The shadows in this case, created by late-afternoon light, add definition to the scene. Remember: Light illuminates; shadows define.

Often, we’re tempted to use HDR to open up shadows in a scene. Sometimes that’s a big benefit. At other times, it can cause a shot to fall flat, if not used correctly."


"Soft Light is Nice Light"

"Due to the low-contrast range in the scene, HDR wouldn’t have done much, perhaps opening up the darker areas of the picture just a little, which is something that’s easily accomplished in Photoshop.

The idea is to keep HDR in mind, but don’t make each and every one of your images an HDR image. In fact, only use HDR when you need it or want to create a special effect.


In closing, it’s important to keep this expression in mind: To HDR or not HDR? That’s the question."


(Note: Quoted sections from the above linked article written by Rick Sammon.)

I enjoyed reading the article, thanks Les for the useful summary; there are good considerations on the strengths and weaknesses of HDR as a technique. I personally do not like "over the top" HDR pictures, but, like the article says, when the contrast in the subject is too much I find that the only way forward is to take multiple (bracketed) shots and combine them in HDR.