The HDR Debate April 10th, 2010
Before I disappeared, a debate seemed to be raging online regarding the value of HDR imaging and techniques (or lack thereof, depending on which side of the debate you stand on).
It started with Dave Cross’s post called “The Debate Over HDR” and was soon followed by a response to one of the comments on that post by Scott Kelby (here’s the link to Kelby’s post). The various views and commentary were very interesting to me and led me to re-examine the reasons why I now enjoy HDR imagery.
The debate may have died down since the above-mentioned posts were published, but I thought I would share my two cents with you anyway.
Some time ago I really disliked the idea of HDR. I felt, like some commentators, that HDR was perhaps a way of rendering an otherwise uninteresting image interesting. In some cases I still say it may serve that way. However on the whole, as I’ve come to learn to use the effect and it’s uses and limitations, I’ve come around to changing my views. My friend Dan and his work gave the first push that got me on the way to converting. He was a big proponent of HDR way before I ever was.
I now sometimes do shoot something with the express purpose of creating an HDR image. And I occasionally even feel that some images work better in HDR; Sometimes, there’s no way to light a scene the way I would like to capture the image I have in my mind, and HDR is often of help to me there. In those cases particularly, it may give me a certain flexibility that could only be rivalled by an army of assistants and an inconceivable (for me) collection of speedlights and gels. That last is perhaps not a very practical option. Especially considering I’m mostly a shooter out on his own, with (maybe) one speedlight (and at most two) and no assistants.
That said, HDR and other tools at the disposal of the modern photographer are methods of expressing a certain vision of the world around us. So, is HDR less challenging? Yes, almost certainly. But does that make HDR less worthy? In this photographer’s eye – not always. Scott Kelby put it very nicely “HDR is an effect like any other effect”.
My two cents now spent, I propose to share with you images of two different subjects. Each subject has both an HDR image (created from 7 different exposures) and a “standard” variant. The aim being to showcase the large difference between the two styles as I’ve experienced them (and the different visions of a same subject that can thus be expressed).
The first two images below are of a tower of the Hili Fort in Al Ain. I prefer the subtler tones and shades of the “standard” photograph, but enjoy the striking quality the tone mapping has given the clouds in the HDR image, as well as the detail brought out in the walls of the tower. Those friends of mine I’ve asked have come back fairly equally divided as to their preference on this one.
The second set of images below is of one of the towers at the late Sheikh Zayed’s Palace, also in Al Ain.
In the “standard” photograph, to achieve the effect you see here I exposed for the sky and lit the foreground with an SB900 speedlight. Some of the light bounced onto the wall of the palace and its tower, giving it some detail instead of making it some sharp shadow against the twilight sky.
I very much enjoy both images, but my favourite is by far the “standard” image. That’s partly due to the colour of the sky, but it may also be a measure of pride – I used the limited gear I had at my disposal to get precisely the image I was aiming for.
The challenge of it, and the satisfaction of having achieved marks the “standard” image as special to me. By comparison, the HDR variant was not as big a challenge as it’s a significantly more forgiving and much more flexible process.
Your thoughts and comments welcome, as always.
Related posts:
Tags: Al Ain, arab, blog, Dave Cross, debate, emirates, fort, hdr, HDR debate, Hili, Hili Fort, photo, photography, pic, picture, scott kelby, sheikh zayed, UAE, united, united arab emirates, Zayed, Zayed Palace
Posted in Travel/Urban | Comments (7)
April 11th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I grew up with films, manual camera and where the magic of B&W image processing begins in the darkroom of yesteryears. And I am truly amazed by how HDR has revolutionized photography. I’m impressed with the power of HDR and what it can do to enhance an image. But I’m more impressed with the skill and talent of a photographer who can capture a wonderful moment in time without touching the rawness it. I have nothing against digital effects or enhancement. I just don’t dig overly worked over, manipulated and altered photos. I enjoyed the shots…was like playing Spot the Difference for a few sec
Keep experimenting Z just be careful with the ‘click and drive’ 
April 12th, 2010 at 5:32 am
Thanks a lot Z for mentioning me
I’m glad I inspired you to try HDR.
Let me remind you that you inspired me to buy my first DSLR hahaha.
About the HDR debate. I think the secret is to not overdo it. HDR should be a way to enhance a photo, make it “pop”, not create a psychedelic surreal photo image. Too many people tend to overdo it and and up creating a piece of art with oversaturated colors and weird halos aroubd objects, nothing that looks like a photo anymore.
I used to use HDR a lot, but now I mainly work my photos in Lightroom and process them without the use of photomatix.
Personally, I like to use HDR while converting photos to B&W. It makes them much more dramatic!
Cheers Z!
April 12th, 2010 at 7:40 am
Just to give an example:
This photo: http://canvas-of-light.blogspot.com/2010/03/creeping-clouds.html
The sky looks amazing. And It has been worked only on Lightroom, no HDR. It’s all about filters, bruning, dodging. I like to have a bit more control over what I’m doing. With Photomatix, the foreground would have been too light.
Good luck experimenting!
April 13th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Totally agree
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
[...] time back, I offered up my two cents on the HDR debate, featuring shots from the Al Jahili Fort and the late Sheikh Zayed’s Palace in Al [...]
August 24th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Seems like a fairy tale. Wonderful!
August 29th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Hey Silvia! Thank you for commenting! Am very glad you enjoyed the shots!