::Photographic Technique
The effectiveness of many websites today is reduced by utilizing poor photographic images. At Haskell Technologies, we concentrate on telling your story in a few images that are artistically appropriate and technically superior. Wherever possible, we use a photographic technique called High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI). In the normal photographic process, whether film based or digital, the brightness range of the subject generally exceeds the ability of the photographic medium to capture and accurately render that brightness range on a screen, or on a photographic print. The result is a photograph with either an overexposed section or a shadow section that is blocked up. In either case, definition and detail are lost.
The HDRI technique effectively processes the wide brightness range to fit into the limitations of the viewing medium and render an image that is similar to what the human eye actually sees. We have a few examples that illustrate the results obtainable with the HDRI technique.
::Photo Examples
Click on each thumbnail photo below for a discussion of that photo
Move the mouse over the photo to see a non-HDRI version.
HDRI is the only technique available that is capable of producing consistently high quality night photographs. Note the differences in the shadow detail and the color saturation between the two photographs.
Move the mouse over the photo to see a non-HDRI version.
On a bright sunny day, it may appear that the brightness range of a subject is fairly controllable. A normal photograph may look quite acceptable until one sees an HDRI print in a side by side comparison. Note particularly how the detail of the gazebo has been improved and the subtle shadings of the trees, both on shore and in their reflections in the water have been enhanced using HDRI.
Move the mouse over the photo to see a non-HDRI version.
One of the hardest scenes to render correctly is the building interior containing windows especially if it is a bright sunny day. In this photograph, note the improvement in the rendering of the rose window in the rear wall, the subtle pastels on the side walls from the stained glass windows and the overall improvement in the evenness of the lighting.
Move the mouse over the photo to see a non-HDRI version.
Correctly capturing the reflective highlights in a metallic object is particularly difficult using normal photographic techniques. The highlights tend to burn out and the non-highlight areas tend to reproduce lighter than they should. HDRI can manipulate this broad range to produce a scene that approximates that which your eye sees.
Move the mouse over the photo to see a non-HDRI version.
The lighting in many factory settings consists of high intensity bulbs mounted in a grid pattern on the ceiling. This type of lighting results in harsh highlights and deep shadows. In the photograph, note the improved rendition of the areas under the wing and the hanging airplanes in the upper right.
Move the mouse over the photo to see a non-HDRI version.
HDRI is the only technique available that is capable of producing consistently high quality night photographs. Note the differences in the shadow detail and the color saturation between the two photographs.
Move the mouse over the photo to see a non-HDRI version.
Many outdoor scenes such as this one have a wide range of illumination. Here the brightness ranges from a cloudy sky to the recesses of a cave. As you see, the typical automatic exposure adjusts for the average, losing details in all parts of the frame. HDRI is able to show detail of the rocks, the foliage, and reproduce the brilliamce of the waterfall.
