6 Cringe-Worthy Examples of HDR

HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography seems to be all the rage among some Flickrati. The premise is quite simple: the eye can see a far greater tonal range than the camera can capture. Shoot a darkened room, and the light coming from a window is bright white. Focus on the window, and the room is now is deep shadow with no details at all.

With the technique of HDR, you can shoot multiple exposures of the same image, blending the resulting shots into one image where all the elements are vibrant, visible, and at times, surreal. A tripod is practically essential, unless you have the uncanny ability to stand completely immobile while you press the shutter 3 times or more. Any camera that allows automatic exposure bracketing can perform this trick. Or you can do this with your point-and-shoot on Manual mode (a tripod is a must), and change the exposure after each shot.

HDR can be used to create a stunning image, as shown above. But in less capable hands, the worst examples of HDR are the visual equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. Let the pains begin.

#1



Ow, my friggin’ retinas just got scalded! This looks too much like the Sims, minus the little crystal doohickey hovering over their heads. This makes me want to put them all in a room with no doors, one chair, and a clown painting, and watch them pass out in their own pool of urine until the Grim Reaper comes a-knocking.

#2



Have you no shame, sirrah? You are a Jack the Ripper of Photomatix. A Jeffrey Dahmer of pixels. A pox on you! It’s time the decency police busted down your door and confiscated all your weapons of destruction and put an end to our misery. One last thing before I move onto the next image: fuck you.

#3



There is nothing more awe-inspiring than a beautiful landscape that stretches the envelope of human experience and dazzles the senses. It makes me feel connected to the natural world, and — at the risk of getting all religulous on ya’ll — in touch my Creator. But this photographer felt the need to tart up Gawd’s green earth like the Great Whore of Babylon.

#4



This poor chap discovered Photoshop’s Yoda filter. Good for you! With HDR, you too can make cataracts brighter and liver spots pop. I wonder if she signed a model’s release? If I were her, I’d sue this photog for making my face look like the radioactive aftermath of a nuclear holocaust.

#5



HDR wedding? I am so outraged I can hardly type this. Had I hired this dude for my wedding, I’d have made tv’s Bridezillas look like Mother Teresa. Heads would roll. Thankfully, he put a big, honking watermark on his work of art so no one would steal it. That’s using your noodle.

#6



Sweet Jesus! The power of Christ compels me to smack you upside the head with this 10 foot crucifix, spawn of Pazuzu. You really must hate Catholics. Seriously, there are not enough tears in the world to shed for this travesty. I have to go lie down now.

In conclusion, all I can say is that just because you can, does not mean you should.