We all know how popular this, not so new, photography technique has become. We also know that it has fostered some very creative cheats, through the use of editing software, such as Photoshop. Amongst all of this sudden excitement, some seem to have completely missed the original intention behind HDR imaging.

You all know how its done, whether you are simply tone mapping or actually putting together a real HDR photograph. If you don't, or would like some more information, allow me to direct you to [link]
They have lots of links for endless information on HDRi.

Simply knowing HOW, doesn't seem to be the problem.. It is in the finishing and tweaking that people seem to just get it wrong. The actual intention of HDRi is to ACCURATELY depict the wide range of intensity levels in the real scene we see with our eyes. Our eyes are far more adapt at capturing nuances in light than any camera ever could be. The idea behind HDRi is to ENHANCE the images to make them look more true to life. Some people just take this technique too far and loose the point all together.

Before you jump at me, none of this is anything more than own opinions. To be honest, I have seen some incredible HDRi works that over exaggerate the intensity and still come out beautifully. There are few, and it must be done in moderation and with care... but it is definitely possible. Many of these images have created a mood and emotion in images that would normally feel flat and lifeless.

Before I feature all the ones I think are good examples to learn from... I would like to share a couple of my personal DON'Ts for HDRi...

First off, Don't over sharpen ... in the end, you actually lose more detail and quality in the image... Over sharpening can also create unsightly halo or highlight effects where they aren't wanted.
Sharpen with discretion.



Secondly, just because you put it through the software, doesn't mean its HDRi.... let alone a good one. If the final image looks WORSE than the original... you did it wrong... scrap it... try again. Some photos just don't work out right. It takes a lot of tweaking to get the right exposures and create a good HDR image.



Finally, Don't distort the image so much that it loses its photographic integrity. Sometimes this is okay... but usually it just ends up looking like a generic Photoshop artistic effect, which tends to cheapen the image and make it look, for lack of a better term, adolescent.



Now, I'm not here to tell you how to make your HDR images, let alone how to make them good... because lets face it. Your definition and mine could be very different. So... why bother with an article at all? I dunno... I like making noise and being opinionated... but mostly... I just wanted an excuse to feature the really good HDRs and kind of point out what people should stay away from.

So.. Now for the good stuff!! Some are real, some are fake... but can you tell the difference?

[link]


















Finally... I would like to thank and for letting me abuse a few of their images for this feature... I just wouldn't feel right pointing out anyone's actual images that I thought were bad examples... so I decided to make a few instead. They both have amazing s tock and you should check it out... I may have made it look awful... but in reality, it is good stuff!