HDRIs

High Dynamic Range Images (HDRIs) are a type of digital image that captures a wide range of luminance values, from the brightest highlights to the darkest shadows. They are designed to accurately represent the real-world dynamic range of light and color in a scene.

HDRIs are typically created by combining multiple exposures of a single shot, often with different exposure settings, to capture both the bright highlights and dark shadows of the scene. This process, known as bracketing, involves taking multiple photos of the same scene, each with a different exposure value, and then merging them into a single image using specialized software.

HDRIs can be used in a variety of fields, including photography, graphics, and filmmaking. They provide a more accurate representation of the real-world scene than traditional Low-Dynamic-Range (LDR) images, which can result in loss of detail and color accuracy in both bright and dark areas. HDRIs can also be used to create more realistic and immersive digital environments, such as in video games and virtual reality applications.

To view HDRIs, specialized software and hardware are often required, as standard display devices are typically not capable of displaying the wide range of colors and luminance values contained in an HDR image. However, new technologies such as HDR10 and Dolby Vision are beginning to support the display of HDR content on TVs and other devices.

HDRIs have become an important tool in various industries, including advertising, product design, and architecture, as they allow for more accurate and detailed rendering of complex scenes and materials. Overall, HDRIs offer a more realistic and immersive visual experience, and have the potential to revolutionize the way we capture, display, and interact with digital images.