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

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!

Outstanding book for HDR. Great Step By Step explanation of reaching your goals to present the best photo possible. Awesome before/after photos that show the power of HDR. Only down side (and sometimes humorous) was the gross mis-spelling of some words. Nobody used Spell-Check? Grammar aside, this is an excellent walk-through reference for jumping into HDR!

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.

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.

I am a professional who has shot traditional photography for many years and had a new photography book published last year. However, when I decided to get started in HDR photography, I was totally lost. That is, until I discovered Ferrell McCollough's book, "Complete Guide to HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY". This book goes everywhere with me, along with my camera and equipment manuals. It's the old "Don't leave home without it." It is extremely easy to read, the examples are excellent, and Mr. McCollough thoroughly knows the subject. I read the book, then went back and produced an HDR image following the easy step-by-step instructions. Within a couple of days I was producing HRD images beyond my expectations. If you want a quick and easy means of getting started in HDR, this is the book. And, it goes into advanced techniques such as multiple flash HDR imaging. In addition, the book provides an excellent comparison of numerous HDR processing software platforms, so you can decide which one to use without having to buy it first.

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.

High Dynamic Range, (A Lark Photographic Book) HDR is a photographic technique that will improve most of your Tri Pod photography. The area this technique would be used is outdoor scenic photography. The biggest problem most photographers find in outdoor scenic photography would be light. I know, quite often you could take a well exposed image and for general purposes it will look good under general conditions. Where HDR comes in, is that all light, (except very overcast flat lighting) has highlights and shadows, to improve your image is you take that 1st good exposure, then with cameras still on trip pod, and the f stop set, (with the shutter speed), over exposure one stop, then under expose one shot, (that makes 3 exposures) (some photographers go one step further, they do two over, and two under, making 5 exposures. With these 3 or 5 images you go to your computer, (this is where the book, High Dynamic Range book comes in) it guides you through the entire program. Your computer, (when you follow instructions) takes these, images, the over exposed ones give your better shadows and the under exposed exposure does a better job on the high lights. It merges all these images to one, with the best of all, to obtain one great image, with better shadows and high lights. High Dynamic Range, guides your through and makes your photography stunning. Great Book, I highly recommend (High Dynamic Range) to any photographer wanting to improve their work, and is not familiar, or knows all thje HDR steps. Robert (25 years CSI crime scene Photography, retired and now doing scene work in the Glacier National Park area) and did not know about this until about 3 years ago. (just old, and it was not done in Crime Scene Photography)! Robert

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.

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.