What is HDR in Photography?

AQCOLOR Monitor Resources Series

2024/05/22

Adobe RGB sRGB Color settings Photographer Monitor BenQ AQCOLOR Technology Color profiles HDR

HDR, which stands for High Dynamic Range, is the range of tones that are present within a photo. It measures the light intensity captured in an image, from the brightest highlights to the darkest shadows. HDR settings are great for capturing images of landscapes, architecture, or scenes that encompass both bright and dark areas. But what is HDR in relation to photographers and why is an HDR monitor important? In this article we’ll answer these questions and provide some guidance for finding the right photography monitor for you.

What is HDR?

Images captured with the right HDR settings are more detailed and have a higher contrast compared to regular photos. These images can truly capture the beauty and depth of environment and make the editing process easier. Humans are capable of seeing a wide dynamic range, meaning we can see the details of shadows or the sunset clearly. Cameras usually have a shorter dynamic range, which is why they don’t always capture the depth of the scene a person can see, especially phone cameras. With high dynamic range settings on a camera, the details we see will be captured clearly in images.

Color gamuts, such as Adobe RGB or sRGB, are designed to capture the full range of colors in photographs. HDR, on the other hand, is a focused technology that helps transmit what was captured on the camera to compatible displays while improving the representation of these color gamuts. Having HDR settings on a camera will benefit the overall capture of the image, but the monitor needs to have a compatible display to accurately represent the range of color and light captured in the original image. The majority of technology today has HDR compatibility, but make sure that the camera the images are captured on matches the HDR technology capabilities of the professional photography monitor in use.

There are multiple variants or updated versions of HDR, such as HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR video, all of which enhance the image capturing process. Ensuring that the camera in use and the monitor for the editing process are compatible with one, or multiple, of these variants will greatly enhance the photography experience.

Why is HDR important for photographers?

For photographers, accurately capturing and replicating real-life color and contrast is crucial for success. HDR plays an important role in this process, alongside the resolution, bit depth, frame rate, and color gamut of the camera and photography monitor. From the scene captured on camera, to the editing process on the monitor, to the printed versions, maintaining dynamic consistency and color accuracy will allow for a seamless and productive process. Accurately capture the full range of light in an image with a professional camera and photography monitor that can support HDR settings.

What does BenQ have to offer?

At BenQ, we strive to reproduce accurate images and colors in every one of our professional photography monitors. AQCOLOR, a proprietary technology developed by BenQ, is built on meeting industrial standards, emphasizing display details, and providing an out-of-the-box guarantee. Monitor capabilities are backed by third-party qualifications such as a Pantone Validated Certificate and Calman certification. The goal is to create products that will deliver on the promise “Colors You Can Trust” and empower creative professionals in every aspect of their work.

Get the HDR quality color accuracy you need with BenQ PhotoVue Monitors, backed by AQCOLOR technology and Paper Color Sync, guaranteeing color accuracy from screen to print. Additionally, SW and PD series purchasers and existing owners can get one FREE year of the new Pantone Connect Premium to bring the benefits of your smart device to your computer.