How to Take HDR Photos Plus 30 Examples

HDR photography or high dynamic range imaging is one of the techniques that aspiring photographers need to master. HDR refers to a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range of exposures (the range of values between light and dark areas) than normal digital imaging techniques. In other words, the goal of HDR is to accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes ranging from direct sunlight to shadows, resulting to an image with deeper contrast and color tones. Basically, there are two kinds of HDR photos. The first type are the so-called HDR composite photos which are achieved by taking a series of shots of a subject at different exposures and combining them later in an image editing program such as Photoshop. The second type of HDR images are produced using programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom or other programs by adjusting the tonal values or the shadows, highlights, and other settings.

If you are interested to learn how to take HDR photos, you need to have these basic things:

1. A digital camera, preferably a DSLR that is capable of taking RAW image, although a good point and shoot will do the job. Remember, you need to be able to change the shutter speed manually. The focus can stay auto but if you can set it on manual, the better
2. A tripod since you will need to take pictures at of the same scene. If you do not want any motion flow, take pictures of stationary objects.
3. Adobe Photoshop CS3 or higher, Adobe Lightroom or any program that can process RAW images.

Meanwhile Darren Rowse of Digital Photography School (DPS) has a comprehensive article on how to take HDR Photos.  You may also want to check out a step-by-step tutorial on how to take HDR photos over at DPS website.

If you already knew how to take HDR photos and are just looking for some inspiration for creating your own, then start scrolling down your mouse and be amazed of these 30 stunning examples of HDR photos.

If you like this post, then please also checkout our related posts on Photography tips and tutorials:

• Lomo Photo Effects Tutorials
• Silhouette Photography
• Light Painting Photos
• Selective Coloring in Photoshop

01 – Wizard Island, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

02 -Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona

03 -Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

04 – Amazing Prague

05 – Palouse Falls, Palouse Falls State Park, Washington

06 – Shinjuku, Japan, and beyond at night

07 – Fish are lined up around 5 AM for the daily auctions at the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo

08 – Beach and Beach Boxes

09 – Toxicity

10 – Countryside HDR Collection on Behance

11 – Countryside HDR Collection on Behance

12 – Baler, Aurora, Philippines

13 – Milan Train Station

14 – Belleville Waterfront HDR

15 – Wet Bike

16 – Early morning on the river Seine

17 – Let there be light

18 -Aurorus Reflectus Colosseo

19 – Parliament House Canberra

2o- Real Madrid CF Stadium HDR

21 – Ferris Wheel Long Exposure in HDR

22 – I have reached the end of the world

23 – Isla de Tarifa y las dunas a la derecha

24 – Sun kisses Mountain

25 – Barcelona sunset

26 – Adrift

27 – The Eye

28 – Life Belt

29 – Paris – La Villette

30 – Friendly Tractor

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