Expanding Your Dynamic Range: The Pros and Cons of HDR Methods

June 30, 2015 • 1 Comment

How do you HDR? Do you use dedicated HDR software? Do you manually blend images in post-processing? Do you use a graduated neutral density filter? There are a number of ways to create a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image, each with their own pros and cons. I have listed some of the pros and cons for each method so that when or if you decide to create an HDR image you can determine the best method that fits your style, post-processing workflow, budget, etc.

I will not go into great detail about each method and assume you know enough about your camera to follow along. I merely want to point out the positives and negatives of using each method. Let’s begin.

Graduated Neutral Density Filter (yes, that is an HDR image you just made):
Pros	Cons
Gets all the details in one RAW image	More equipment to buy (can get expensive)
Ghosting not a problem	Possible color cast
Can see image right away and make adjustments	Takes time to set up in the field
Image noise is not an issue	Another item to pack
	May need different filter strengths for different situations
	Does not work for all situations

In-camera HDR (cell phones, newer model DSLR and mirrorless cameras have this function)
Pros	Cons
Gets all the details in one image	Output is usually a jpg file
No more equipment to buy or carry	May process photo not to ones’ liking
Can see image right away and make adjustments	May still not cover the entire dynamic range of a scene
Will work in most if not all situations

Manually blend images in Photoshop (Blend if, layers and masks, luminosity masks, etc.
Pros	Cons
No extra camera gear needed in the field	Have to take more than one image (more hard drive storage)
Image noise is not an issue	Takes time in post processing
No color cast	Have to worry about objects moving from one photo to the next
Can be assured that entire dynamic range is covered in the field	Need Photoshop or other processing software capable of performing functions

HDR software (Photomatix, HDR Pro, Lightroom, etc)
Pros	Cons
Quickly combines images	Takes time in post-processing
No extra camera gear needed in the field	Have to take more than one image (more hard drive storage)
Can be assured that entire dynamic range is covered in field	Have to worry about objects moving from one photo to the next
Can batch process	Need software capable of performing functions
	May have artifacts in final image – noise, ghosting, glow,

As you can see, each method has its pros and cons. I have used all of them but mostly use manually blending in Photoshop with HDR software being a distant second. Please feel free to leave a comment as to why you use one method over another or if there is another reason that I forgot to mention. Frame, Capture, Publish!

Keywords: Dynamic Range, HDR, learning, photography, Post-Processing, Workflow

Comments

Damien(non-registered)

Fantastic post! I wholeheartedly concur with all of your points. Well-researched and entertaining content is hard to come by. I will definitely be watching your updates in the future.

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