Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)

I wanted to learn something about HDR and this book met my needs and then some. It is the first book I've read cover-to-cover in a long time. The author starts with a thorough introduction to HDR which is great for people like me who know nothing about it and proceeds to more detailed explanations. He never gets too technical (which some readers may find disappointing) but hey, you can't cover everything in one book. He does a nice review of the major HDR software and mentions pluses and minuses of each throughout the book. It is well written and has many great examples and comparison photographs. For the price you can't go wrong. Also, check out the author's website because there's some interesting information there as well.

This is an inspiring book for the photographer attempting HDR techniques. It's really more of a reference book, with beautiful HDR photographs and many before/after photos. It has made me aware of what's possible. I wish there was more instruction regarding how to get the best results with "details enhancer." I recently purchased Photomatix (the software most recommended in this book) and I'm happy with the results I'm getting overall, though like anything else, it takes practice.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if a introductory to mid-level HDR book is needed! This is a solid read! My experience and knowledge of HDR prior to reading this book was limited at best. This has changed greatly as I now have a very good understanding of the technique, and how to apply it in a given any given situation. Lighting is thoroughly covered along with subjects albeit macro, landscape, & everything in-between. The information about software & post-processing is great stuff! The rationale behind the specifics are covered in a non-bias fashion yet is very in-depth. The book is lined with photo comparisons to illustrate how software treats a specific situation differently. These comparisons help tremendously to show how different post-processing techniques will react. There are also plenty of explanations for working around common errors of HDR- before and after they occur. Workflows are also clearly & rationally defined, and help to keep one out of the weeds before wading in.

Whether you are just getting interested/started in High Dynamic Range photography or have done it for awhile, this is a valuable book. It clearly explains the value of HDR processing along with some of its limitations. The book provides helpful comparisons of the results of creating images using several HDR software programs. I use Photomatix Pro, one of the two HDR programs he uses extensively in the book examples. His version and mine may be slightly different, which made the "I used these settings" a bit frustrating. He does not discuss the Fusion option in Photomatix Pro, which I find quite useful when trying to make HDR images that has minimal "artifacts". With Fusion-based processing for example, it is readily possible to create images that are similar to a single exposure but with increased vibrancy and detail in both shadow and brightly exposed areas. Thus, HDR can be used to improve photographs, but without the (perhaps) overdone "HDR look" that you frequently see. There appears to be considerable confusion within the chats and blogs on line about HDR regarding both how to do it and what can be achieved. This book gives the reader a clear understanding of how to do HDR and a wide variety of well reproduced examples using HDR techniques, frequently including the post processing settings used. Personally I am trying to improve my landscape-type photographs and always use HDR in taking them. This book should help you understand that decision and how HDR may improve the look of your photographs of this type as well. In summary, if you are interested in learning about HDR or improving your HDR results, this is a valuable book easily worth its cost.

HDR photos aren't to everyone's tastes as many photographers take the tuning a bit to far to create unrealistic images. To some, that's the beauty and their artistic interpretation of this discipline in photography. However, when tastefully done HDR photos can appear natural if not a tad surreal. Achieving great results requires technique in capturing multiple varied exposures in a range consistent with the subject matter. If one is new to HDR this book is a great start for understanding the process and the programs needed to achieve quality results. If one is experienced with HDR this book can serve as a guide for more advanced techniques and processes. The quality of the book, the imagery and the copy is excellent. I would recommend this book to anyone who has interest in improving the look and quality of their HDR photography.

If you are new to HDR this book is a great introduction to this exciting new technology. This book is an easy read. Please keep in mind that a basic understandind of photography is needed. You will also need to under steand the operation of your camera, and you will need your camera's manuel. Dont be discouraged, amateurs and pros will both enjoy this book. Go on give it a shot. It will be fun.

I like this book so much I purposely logged on to Amazon just to write this review. First the pictures are all gorgeous. And what's even better, they are all very instructive. The text is well written and easy to understand. I'm just at the dabbling stage of using HDR, but I sure see the potential. With a compact Sony DSLR I took 3 bracketed exposures at -1, 0 and +1 stops of a butterfly that had emerged from the chrysalis. This wasn't really even an HDR scene, since the contrast was pretty low anyway. I downloaded the trial version of Photmatix Pro (which is excellently described throughtout the book) and processed the images into one. The detail in the chrysalis was far above what I got doing adjustments to the single image in Photoshop Elements 8. The butterfly looked a little brighter in PE8, but overall the HDR image had a burnished glow like finely polished old brass. HDR photography and the processing are for the serious amateur on up. The book makes it easy to understand, but the execution takes some effort and dedication. Anyway, the book is better than advertised. It's a keeper!

I've been pretty much serious about photography for a good long time now, but my interest in it was beginning to dissipate. Couple of months ago I ran into a picture of one of the cars on the Angels Flight railway that stymied me. I couldn't tell whether it was a touched up photograph or a photographically real painting done in the style of the Renaissance. I tracked down the photographer and how he did it, and that's where I first learned about HDR (high dynamic range) photography. This technique goosed my flagging interest in photography again! The human eye can only see so much detail. The digital camera sensor can see much less, and the now-almost-extinct medium of film even less. So how do you take a picture where you have bright highlights and deep shadows, and show all of it? Well ideally, you mount your DSLR camera on a tripod, connect a cable release to it, set it to Aperture mode. Then you set the Bracket feature, and you take at least three shots of the same subject. One will be properly exposed, another underexposed and still another overexposed. Then you put them into your computer using special software (see my review on Photomatix Pro) and the software blends them all into one photo. Presto, you have an HDR image that pretty much mimics the detail that the human eye sees. You can do all sorts of combinations from "real" to "surreal." This book is the perfect one for newcomers to HDR photography. It is well written and beautifully illustrated: gorgeous colors made even more brilliant and sharp because printed on slick stock. If the photos in it don't inspire you to try this technique yourself, then HDR photography probably isn't for you.

This book is a very good intro to HDR photography. Easy to understand and well writen. Nice images and photos.

This book is very cleverly put together. The information you need is presented concisely with plenty of illustrations from the author's catalogue. Your knowledge creeps up on you and suddenly, you have the equipment to go out and try it. The book regularly compares 4 to 5 different software packages along the way and reassured me that it wasn't just me that couldn't get the desired effect in Photoshop. So expenditure, as usual, doesn't stop with the book. I purchased Photomatix Pro and the difference is remarkable. I thoroughly recommend the book as an introduction and developer of HDR techniques. It's also a lot of fun to see your results.

Très bien écrit, plein de bons conseils et d'explications limpides, rempli de photos superbes, ce livre est un must-have pour tous ceux qui veulent s'initier au HDR en toute simplicité et, surtout, éviter les monstruosités qu'on voit fleurir un peu partout... L'auteur expose ses oeuvres sur le site beforethecoffee.com et cela mérite vraiment le coup d'oeil.

well written and is a good introduction to hdr principles and techniques

This book is remarkable value for money. The pictures are superb and inspire efforts towards similar results. However, those looking for a complete reference work for HDR should look elsewhere. The author is clear in the areas covered and his enthusiasm for the subject comes across well. There are some good ideas to get you started and is a worthy introduction to the subject and a little beyond. Ultimately though it left me wishing for just a little more depth - hence a rating of one star short of the five.