Use HDR camera settings for realistic photos.

HDR camera settings can make your photos look more lifelike — you also won’t need much extra effort or expertise to utilize them.

Use HDR camera settings to create strikingly realistic photos that include more detail, focus, and even color than typical photography can achieve. HDR solves the issue of shadowed and out-of-focus shots by combining multiple images.

What makes HDR photos so different?

HDR photography is a method of photographing that takes multiple images at different exposure levels to create one ultrarealistic image. It’s particularly useful for landscape and portrait photography that would typically be overexposed or silhouetted.

HDR camera settings shoot the best exposure for many different elements of an image. These can then be combined during post-production into one near-flawless image. HDR photography can help correct overly sunny, washed-out settings or backlit images with too much contrast.

Avoid using HDR settings for photos where you’re trying to capture movement or bright colors.

How to use HDR camera settings

Today many smartphones feature an HDR camera setting. This setting doesn’t require any special configuring or image merging. DSLR cameras produce multiple photos that will need to be merged in editing. Because of this, you’ll need to use a tripod to ensure seamless merging. Use these basic steps to set up your HDR camera settings:

  1. Auto Exposure Bracketing: This is the function that enables you to take many photos consecutively at different exposures.
  2. Aperture Priority Value: Next, control your aperture, which should be somewhere in the f/11–f/22 range.
  3. ISO setting: To avoid too much noise in your photos, next make sure you err on the lower end of the ISO spectrum.

Discover more great photography tips for photographers of all skill levels. Learn more ways that Adobe Lightroom can enhance your HDR photography.