There is a technology that can create stunningly realistic images with vivid colors and a wide range of contrast. This technology, called HDR (High Dynamic Range), has changed how we see and perceive photographs. But what is an HDR file really, and how is it used?
An HDR file is a special image format that contains more brightness and color information than regular files. It allows you to preserve more detail from the photo’s darkest to the brightest areas. The result is photos with more realistic colors and deeper shadows that come close to the way we see the world in real life.
To create an HDR file, photographers use special software that combines photos with different exposures.
In addition, there are programs that allow you to convert regular image files to HDR format to extend their dynamic range.
For what HDR is needed?
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is an image file that contains more color, brightness, and contrast information than conventional image files. It is used to create more realistic and colorful photos.
HDR files retain more detail in each pixel, allowing you to display a wider range of hues, from the darkest to the brightest. This makes images more appealing and similar to what we see in real life.
To create HDR images, several photos of the same image are taken at different exposure levels, and then these photos are combined in special software. The result is an HDR file that can be saved in a variety of formats, such as .HDR, .EXR, or .TIFF.
To view HDR images, you need to use programs or devices that support HDR playback, as regular monitors and image viewers may not show all the color and contrast in an HDR file.
Where is the HDR file used?
HDR files are mainly used in photography and video to create more colorful and realistic images. They preserve more details in an image’s light and dark areas, making it more vivid, contrast and life-like.
HDR files can be used to create spectacular photos with vivid colors and deep shadows, especially in situations with high contrast between light and dark areas. They are also useful for photographing scenes with bright lights, sunsets, landscapes, and architecture.
In addition, HDR images can be used in computer graphics, video games, and movies to create more realistic visual environments. They provide a more accurate representation of colors and lighting, making images and videos more appealing and entertaining to viewers.
Does HDR make the quality better?
Yes, HDR helps improve image quality. It preserves more detail, color, and brightness information, making images more vivid, contrast, and realistic.
Normal photos and videos often have a limited range of brightness, so bright or dark areas can lose detail. HDR allows you to preserve that detail by giving you more information about the bright and dark parts of the image.
When you watch an HDR image on a device that supports it, such as an HDR TV or monitor, you can see more hues, brighter colors, and deeper shadows. This makes the image more appealing and closer to the way we see the world in real life.
In this way, HDR improves image quality by providing more detail and creating a more realistic and impressive visual experience.
How is an HDR file created?
HDR is available on most modern smartphones. Many well-known manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus and others, include HDR in their smartphone cameras.
The HDR feature on smartphones allows you to automatically combine multiple photos with different exposures to create a better image. When you activate HDR, your smartphone takes multiple photos with different brightness levels: one with normal exposure, one with brightness enhancement, and one with brightness reduction. These photos are then combined to preserve the detail and range of brightness in different parts of the image.
HDR is also available on most cameras. In the case of cameras, HDR can be represented as either an automatic function or a mode that allows you to adjust HDR shooting settings manually.
To create an HDR file, photographers use special software that combines several shots of the same scene taken at different exposures. These programs, such as Photomatix, Adobe Photoshop, Aurora HDR and others, allow you to automatically combine photos and create HDR images.
How can you open an HDR file?
If we’re talking about files with HDR extension, then most often, we’re talking about files with raster images. Such files can be opened in most modern powerful visual editors. For example with, such a file can cope such programs as:
If you don’t want to download any apps and you’re interested in how to open such files online, you can help such online services as:
Besides, some users might find that they need to open ESRI BIL Header files. If this is your case, the following programs will help you to open this type of file:
Be careful, though, because it is possible that your PC may think that you can open such a file with a Windows app. In this case, you will need to download a special app to open HDR-type files and then manually bind it to open all these files.
What are the programs to convert files to HDR format?
If you need to convert files with the extension .hdr, you can convert other files to this format. There are several conversion programs that can do this quickly and easily.
One of the most popular conversion programs that support .hdr is Imagenator. This is a program that can convert images to an HDR file. In addition, this app also supports other image formats, among them:
- HDR
- EXR
- TGA
- JPG
- ICO
- GIF
- PNG
If you’re looking for a service online that can convert, you can use Convertio. It offers 10 minutes of free conversion per day. If you need to convert more files, you can either run the service in incognito mode or buy a paid subscription.
Other than that, these programs are also suitable for converting ESRI BIL Header files. Usually, you can save such a file in any editor using File > Save as button or any export option.
You should also pay attention to the program CubeMapGen. It will help you if you want to convert HDR.
