A Comparison of Techniques
So why not just use HDR Merge all the time? Images made using HDR merge are less noisy and potentially more pleasing than those made with one of our ND grad filters or filter layers. The answer lies in circumstances. To shoot an HDR image, you need to take several frames that differ only in exposure (shutter speed). Movement artifacts from blowing leaves, animals, cars, or whatever mean that you can’t always get away with using HDR. In addition, some photographers may prefer the more “constrasty” images made under standard conditions, or are so used to using ND grad filters that they find its easier to “get it right” on film (or the CF card) and eliminate post-processing. Memory limitations also come into play with HDR—do you have enough space on your card to shoot every scene five times? On the other hand, when used properly, HDR merge can give us the sort of dynamic range in an image that makes it look more like the way our eyes saw the scene, with more pleasing tonal ramps and shadow detail that is amazing. I have some sample 100% crops from images made with each of our two Photoshop techniques shown below, and a summary of the pros and cons of each method we discussed. However, as technology progresses, I’m sure we’re going to find all kinds of fun ways to use these tools in our digital darkrooms and get images with unheard of quality.
| Method |
Shadow Noise
|
Moving subjects | Foreground objects | Ease of use in the field |
| ND Grad Filters | Low | Good | Poor | Moderate to difficult |
| Virtual ND Grad | Moderate to high | Good | Ok | Very easy |
| HDR Merge | Very low | Poor | Very good | Easy |
| Method | Noise | Movement |
| Virtual ND Grad |  |
 |
| HDR Merge |  |
 |
| Jump Directly to: |
| Introduction |
| ND Grads |
| HDR Merge |
| Conclusion |
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