Dynamic range in photography describes the ratio between the maximum (white) and minimum (black) measurable light intensities. Good dynamic range can illuminate the details in dark or bright settings to improve the quality of your image.
High dynamic range photos consist of two or more of the same photo taken at different exposures. When both overexposed and underexposed photos are layered on top of each other, they create an image that maintains details in the lightest and darkest areas of the image, far beyond what the camera could produce in a single image.
Review the photos below for examples of dynamic range to get a visual understanding of the limits of your camera and output devices.
A camera with good dynamic range will maintain detail in the brightest, and darkest parts of a photo, when properly exposed.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Vandyke VIRIN: 200104-A-BI588-105)
Photo by:
Spc. Justin Stafford
VIRIN:
200104-A-BI588-105
Poor dynamic range makes details completely lost in the darkest areas of this photo. A photo with poor dynamic range could also have the details in the lightest areas in the photo blown out.
(Original: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Vandyke 200104-A-BI588-105)
Photo by:
Andrea Batts-Latson
VIRIN:
200109-D-VE872-1005
The image is underexposed to maintain the maximum amount of detail in the lightest parts of the photo.
(Original U.S. Air Force graphic illustration/Kat Justen VIRIN: 160914-F-HS721-002)
Photo by:
Andrea Batts-Latson
VIRIN:
200109-D-VE872-1003
The image is overexposed in order to maintain the maximum amount of detail in darkest part of the photo.
(Original Photo: U.S. Air Force graphic illustration/Kat Justen VIRIN: 160914-F-HS721-002)
Photo by:
Andrea Batts-Latson
VIRIN:
200109-D-VE872-1006
U.S. Air Force graphic illustration created using multiple layered photographs to create a high dynamic range image of a KC-135R Stratotanker on the Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, flight line Sept. 14, 2016. (U.S. Air Force graphic illustration/Kat Justen)
Photo by:
Tech. Sgt. Katie Justen
VIRIN:
160914-F-HS721-002