Is HDRI Really That Popular?

Written by Miskei, on 04-01-2011 06:56

When Nik sent out the first news about HDR Efex Pro I thought, yeah, how about something useful I can sell. Then even before I published it people started to call about it. I got the message put it up for sale ASAP and suddenly this is the 3rd most looked for thing on this website after used minilabs and cruise ship photography jobs.

I remember experimenting with similar things back in the film days by putting two negatives together but it was a painful process with not too outstanding results, so I forgot about it as it was. Looks like many others not though. However during all these years I didn't manage to notice that so many has such an interest in this. Digital imaging makes HDR much easier than it used to be.

Now I even noticed the "Merge for HDR" in Photoshop that as HDR itself, was there before I just didn't see it. Luckily clever companies like Nik Software did see it growing and developed HDR Efex Pro that is supposedly the best in it's class.

Now, what I would really like to know is, is it the technology that made it possible the smooth creation of HDR pics that's driven up the interest in this type of photography or the high demand for better software solutions from HDR photographers kicked off the development of HDRI product.

Last update : 04-01-2011 08:02

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1. 09-08-2011 21:59

HDR software

I don't like the 'HDR merge' of photoshop, becouse don't give you so many options for control. I use Photomatix and is a great tool for HDR jobs. By the way, I also try the HDR function in some compacts cameras, the most in the Nikon P100, and I think can be good solution in case that you are force to make a shot versus the light, or with some windows, etc. but is nothing for somebody who really wants control the final result.

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hedel

2. 13-01-2011 10:50

HDR

Well, I believe it is somewhat like the famous question about which was first, the chicken or the egg

Obviously, in the beginning there was the need that generated a demand... and voilá... the circle began its spin...
Yes, it was popular. Do you remember the highly compensated negatives we've tried to obtain in our B/W darkrooms? Then, int the era of color prints and transparencies most of us simply forgot seeing or thinking HDR. But now, in this digital environment, alike Phoenix, rose from its ashes.
It's so popular that when I first time advertised my workshops, every second question was about HDR. Like it or not, it's here to stay, for a while or longer. Time will tell.

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Photoraid

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