To HDR or not to HDR, that is the question!

Behind I Go
Badlands National Park

I love HDR photography, when it is used for the original purpose of creating an image that looks more like what I saw in real life. From my understanding, HDR was developed in Hollywood so their backgrounds would look more realistic to the audience which would help them suspend their disbelief and accept the story as real, at least during the time they are watching the movie.

Over time, however, the technique has moved out of Hollywood and into general photographer's hands. Some of us try to keep to that idea of the image looking real while others create exaggerated (and sometimes very highly exaggerated) images.  I don't have any of those types of images and won't link to someone's work without permission, so sorry, no pictures.  They are easy to find though.

Personally, and I know some people will take offense at it, more times than not I think the people who use exaggerated HDR are attempting to cover up for their lack of photography skills.  They can't get a great composition or think through a concept to have a picture tell a story so they use HDR to draw people into their work because of the feelings an over-dramatic image can create in people these days. I do understand that a few of them may have great technique and abilities but have decided to use HDR as their style, but I think it is few of those who use it.

Buried No More
Devils Tower National Monument

To give an example, the picture of Devil's Tower above. I posted this image to an HDR group on DeviantArt to help get more people to see it.  The admin of the group has to approve any images before they are added and he denied the image as he didn't think it was an HDR image.  I sent him a note questioning it and explaining that I used 9 exposures to create a realistic image of what I was looking at.  His response was that I wasted my time and energy since I didn't use all that data to create a different looking image, it wasn't processed to look like something different. What can one say to that without being antagonistic?  All I could respond what that I try to create realistic images.  I didn't say anything else, didn't attack him for his close minded attitude, but as I looked through the pictures more closely I realized that there was a LOT more shoddy photography than there was good photography and I don't recall if I saw anything that made me go "WOW!"

I do use HDR with a majority of my digital works, but even then there comes a time that it just doesn't create that realistic look or that story that I am wanting to tell.  Look at this picture, which is split between the first shot of the series of 7 and the HDR image.

To HDR or not to HDR, that is the question!

Each side does tell a slightly different story, but now which is more realistic? The right side, while there is more detail in the rock formations like you would see if you were there, the sky however just doesn't look right to me. The left side the rock formations are  more difficult to see, but the sky is more like I was seeing, especially with the really hot spot that turns nearly white. It may surprise some people, and one person I asked on my Facebook page stated they thought I'd like the right one better, but the left one is the one I will use for a print.  It conveys the story that I was wanting to tell from the scene.

For me, I put in time thinking about all my images when I'm processing them for pieces.  I work to try and create something realistic and that tells the story that I want.  There are times that I need to make that decision to HDR or not to HDR; sometimes it is an easy answer, other times I really need to think about how each technique conveys they story I'm wanting to tell.  More often than not, when I find myself debating about it I go with the as shot version.  There is still something about the emotions it can convey that makes it the correct choice, for ME.

- Steven
Do you like the images on my blog? Most of them can be found on my Facebook Page or website.  Just follow the links and like them there, I would greatly appreciate it! Like my Facebook Page to keep an eye out for contests that I occasionally have.