TNMC

So today I started playing around with the idea of HDR photography.  Basically, you take at least three photos, each one at a different light level.  Then you combine them in the computer and get a single photo that combines all the best of each.  The main reason for this is that digital cameras struggle a bit handling a wide range of light in a single shot.  Try taking an interior photo that includes a window looking outside on a sunny day.  If the camera adjust for the light inside, the window will blow out white, showing next to no exterior detail.  If the camera adjusts for the exterior light levels, the window will appear fine but the inside of the room will be pitch black.

So HDR (High Dynamic Range) tries to attack that problem.  Each shot tackles a different part of the range of light and when you combine them, you get something more like what our eyes see.  Our eyes are massively better at handling light than even the best cameras in the world.

So I figured out the setting that has my camera take a quick trio of photos, bracketing the light levels along the way.  And then I started playing.  The detail I very quickly learned is that for this to work well, things need to be steady.  Large movements by the target or the camera produce weird effects in the final product.  Of the shots that were steady, most were deadly dull.  

Two jumped out though.  One is this shot of my son drinking milk.  I love the way the light is subtly even across the whole photo.  There is no spot where black or white overwhelm the shot.  Even the black chair has detail.  The other shot is a failed HDR shot of the dog, who yawned in the middle of the sequence.  Because she moved so much, HDR was impossible.  But a yawning dog makes for a funny photo.  So today you get two shots.  Because I just can't resist dog tongue.