What does HDR stand for in photography?

The term HDR in photography stands for High Dynamic Range. This technique allows photographers to capture a greater range of luminosity than what is typically possible with standard photography. In practical terms, it means that HDR enables the combination of multiple exposures of the same scene, each captured at different exposure levels. This allows for the preservation of detail in both the highlights and shadows of an image, which creates a more balanced and realistic representation of the scene.

When photographs are taken using standard dynamic range, details can often be lost in overly bright or dark areas. HDR addresses this limitation by merging these varying exposures, resulting in images that more closely resemble what the human eye can perceive. The technique is particularly effective in high-contrast situations, such as landscapes where bright skies and darker ground elements co-exist.

Understanding HDR is crucial for photographers who wish to enhance their work and deliver images with a vivid and detailed representation of their subjects.