HDR

I am sure a lot of you designers, artists, and photographers have heard of, or use HDR imaging. (High Dynamic Range imaging) It is typically done by merging multiple exposures of a photo to gain massive amounts of color information. The result can really amplify the color and detail of photographs and illustrations. Some software can now create Psuedo-HDR images, by applying filters to a single exposure. I have used this before, and sometimes it looks great. However the fact that "HDR toning" is now an adjustment option in Photoshop CS5 does make me a little nervous. It is so easy now, that I am afraid it could become the next pointless trend. Photographers may start apply it, not because of what it actually does stylistically, but because it is an easy and dramatic option. Trends like this tend to destroy the original purpose of the effect and frustrate legitimate artists. (Comic Sans, "Outer Glow," and "Hipstamatic" to name a few prolific and annoying examples)

 


Above is an HDR toning edit I made in about 30 seconds. It is so easy now in CS5 that this style could become way overused. So, here is my message to artists, designers, and photographers out there: If you want to use HDR toning, please have a good reason for it, and don't over do it.