High Dynamic Range (HDR)

High Dynamic Range (HDR) refers to a set of techniques and technologies used to enhance the range of luminosity that can be captured or displayed by various media, including images, videos, audio, and other digital formats. This technology is designed to replicate, as closely as possible, the natural range of light and color that the human eye can perceive, thereby creating a more realistic and immersive viewing or listening experience.

High-Dynamic-Range Imaging (HDRI)

High-Dynamic-Range Imaging (HDRI) is a significant application of HDR technology in the field of photography and videography. HDRI enables the capturing of a greater range of light and color than traditional imaging techniques. This is achieved by merging multiple exposures of the same scene to form a single image that incorporates details from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights.

Multi-Exposure HDR Capture

A common method in HDRI is Multi-Exposure HDR Capture. This involves taking several images at different exposure levels and combining them to produce a final image with enhanced detail and contrast. In this manner, photographers can overcome the limitations of cameras which might otherwise miss the full range of light present in a scene.

High-Dynamic-Range Television (HDR-TV)

High-Dynamic-Range Television (HDR-TV) is a technology that applies HDR principles to improve the quality of display signals for televisions. HDR-TV enhances picture quality by increasing the dynamic range between the darkest blacks and the brightest whites, which results in more vibrant colors and greater depth, providing a more lifelike viewing experience.

Ultra HDR

Ultra HDR is an advancement in image format technology that encodes a gain map into the metadata of a JPEG image. This allows compatible decoders to decode and display images with enhanced dynamic range, even on devices that might not traditionally support HDR.

Tone Mapping

Tone Mapping is a critical process in HDR technology, used to map one set of colors to another to approximate the appearance of HDR images on standard displays which have a more limited dynamic range. This ensures that HDR images can be viewed on a variety of devices without losing the enhanced quality that HDR provides.

HDR in Cinematography

In the realm of cinematography, HDR is employed to create visually compelling films that exploit a wider dynamic range. Modern films are often shot using cameras capable of capturing HDR, and older films can be post-converted. This is particularly valuable for special effects, where real and synthetic footage are combined, requiring precise HDR shooting and rendering.

HDR, Inc.

While HDR technologies primarily relate to imaging and display enhancements, it is worth noting that HDR, Inc. is a completely different entity. It is an American design and engineering firm based in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 1917, HDR, Inc. specializes in civil engineering and has no direct connection to HDR imaging technologies.