Surely you’ve heard that modern smartphones support HDR shooting mode. This article will allow you to understand what its essence is.
HDR technology was not invented yesterday. However, his appearance could not have happened in the era of film cameras. And still HDR mode could not be present in the first digital cameras and smartphones – they simply would not have enough power to process images at the desired speed. Currently, such devices allow you to take several frames in a split second. So we already understand what HDR is in the smartphone camera.
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When do I need to enable HDR mode?
Each digital camera, including a built-in telephone, has a limited dynamic range. This means that if there are very bright areas in the frame, then problems with dark objects start. For example, you photograph a building in its shadow. This will most likely lead to one of two options for the resulting image:
- The clouds in the sky will be clearly visible, but the details of the building itself will be almost indistinguishable;
- The house will be detailed, but at the same time the sky will turn into a white gruel – in some cases it hides the roof of the building in its colors.
In such cases, the HDR function saves. This mode allows, roughly speaking, to create two frames with different exposure values, and then combine them into one. As a result, the image will not be very dark or too bright. Details will increase significantly – absolutely all objects will be distinguishable. But do not use this mode on a regular basis. The fact is, HDR photos often look a bit unnatural. It is worth activating the mode if the device’s camera fails to cope with its task. For example, you shoot in the light of the sun or in the shade of a building – then you can use HDR.
Pay attention to the shadow area: it turned out bright and the details are clearly visible
It has been noticed that owners of budget smartphones use HDR mode more often than owners of the highest class devices. The fact is that expensive devices are equipped with a higher quality camera with a wide dynamic range.
How it’s working?
When activating HDR, be prepared for the fact that the camera will take several photos at the same time – two or even three. Therefore, it is not necessary to photograph moving objects in this mode, they can split into two parts, turning into specific ghosts or become blurred. Pictures will be taken with different exposures and exposures. Specific exposure values depend on the aperture optics, matrix size and many other parameters. That is why high-class cameras deal with this task much faster.
In addition, the resulting frames are merged into one. The more powerful the processor is installed in the camera or smartphone, the less time it will take. Although you should not forget about the matrix resolution. Of course, 24-megapixel images are more difficult to process than 8-megapixel frames. In any case, even on budget devices, the result will be visible in a few seconds.
When shooting, autofocus focuses on areas of different brightness, contrast and distance from the camera. By overlapping frames, the system analyzes their quality, selecting the areas with the highest transparency. In addition, the final image will consist of areas with better saturation and less noise.
High Dynamic Range technology in different smartphones can be implemented in completely different ways. Somewhere the photos just overlap, then slightly “get washed up“. And on more powerful and new devices the process described above takes place.
How do you shoot in HDR mode?
Now virtually all camera applications that modern smartphones are equipped with have the appropriate function. This means you don’t have to install any additional photo applications. The HDR icon may be in the mode selection menu. In many cases, it can be found directly on the main “Camera” screen next to the activation of the flash. However, you must touch this icon.
How do you shoot in HDR mode?
Now virtually all camera applications that modern smartphones are equipped with have the appropriate function. This means you don’t have to install any additional photo applications. The HDR icon may be in the mode selection menu. In many cases, it can be found directly on the main “Camera” screen next to the activation of the flash. However, you must touch this icon.
Then take a picture of a known touch on the shutter button. But if a normal photo is created in a split second, then in the case of HDR mode you will have to wait a moment. Try to hold the smartphone still for one or two seconds. This is important! Otherwise you will succeed.
Some third-party applications provide HDR mode settings. This means that you can choose how the exposure changes when creating multiple frames. The pre-installed “Camera” programs usually do not have this setting.
That’s all, the HDR photo is ready! Nothing complicated!
Disadvantages HDR
Let’s summarize briefly. The main advantage of HDR mode should be bright: all areas of the frame made in it will be equally detailed and bright. And what are the disadvantages of such a system?
- Taking multiple frames takes time – and the worse the built-in camera is, the more likely it is to display images with blurry subjects.
- Unnatural lighting – the reality in the last photo will be far from what you saw with your own eyes.
- You may miss this moment – processing images in HDR mode takes at least a few seconds. Continuous shooting is therefore excluded.
Now you understand the beauty of HDR shooting, as well as its main disadvantages. We hope you have learned something new for yourself. Remember to share your opinion in the comments, whether you use the HDR function and whether it is well implemented in the smartphone.
