What are some creative ways to use HDR for architectural storytelling?

1 Choose your subject wisely

Not every building or structure is suitable for HDR. Some might look too flat, too artificial, or too distorted. You need to choose a subject that has interesting features, shapes, and details that can benefit from HDR. For example, you might want to look for buildings that have historical, cultural, or symbolic significance, or that have a unique style, design, or function. You might also want to consider the context, the environment, and the mood of the scene, and how HDR can enhance or contrast them.

2 Experiment with different exposures

One of the key elements of HDR is exposure bracketing, which means taking several photos of the same scene at different exposure values (EV). The number and range of exposures you need depends on the dynamic range of the scene, which is the difference between the brightest and the darkest areas. A typical HDR bracket might consist of three to five exposures, with one EV apart. But you can also experiment with more or less exposures, and with different EV intervals, to achieve different effects. For example, you might want to use more exposures and smaller intervals to capture subtle details and tones, or less exposures and larger intervals to create dramatic contrasts and colors.

3 Use a tripod and a remote

One of the main challenges of HDR is alignment. Because you are taking multiple photos of the same scene, you need to make sure they are perfectly aligned, otherwise you might end up with ghosting, blurring, or halos in your final image. To avoid this, you need to use a tripod and a remote control or a self-timer to stabilize your camera and minimize any movement or vibration. You also need to make sure your camera settings are consistent across all exposures, such as the aperture, the focus, the white balance, and the ISO. You might want to use manual mode or aperture priority mode to have more control over your exposure.

4 Blend and edit your images

The final step of HDR is blending and editing your images. You can use a dedicated HDR software or a plugin for your photo editor to merge your bracketed exposures into a single HDR image. The software will automatically align your images, adjust the tone mapping, and apply some basic adjustments. But you can also fine-tune your image according to your preference and style. You might want to adjust the contrast, the saturation, the sharpness, the noise reduction, and the cropping. You might also want to apply some filters, effects, or presets to create a specific look or mood. The key is to balance realism and creativity, and to avoid overdoing it.

5 Find your angle and perspective

Another creative way to use HDR for architectural storytelling is to find your angle and perspective. How you frame and compose your image can make a big difference in how you convey your message and capture your viewer's attention. You might want to experiment with different viewpoints, such as high, low, close, far, or tilted. You might also want to use different lenses, such as wide-angle, telephoto, or fisheye. You might also want to include some foreground or background elements, such as people, objects, or landscapes, to add some context, scale, or contrast. The idea is to create a dynamic and engaging image that showcases your subject and your vision.

6 Be ethical and respectful

The last creative way to use HDR for architectural storytelling is to be ethical and respectful. HDR is a powerful technique that can enhance your images, but it can also alter them. You need to be aware of the impact and the implications of your HDR choices, and how they might affect the meaning and the integrity of your subject. You also need to be respectful of the rules and the rights of the owners and the occupants of the buildings and structures you photograph. You might need to ask for permission, pay a fee, or follow some guidelines before you can take photos. You also need to respect the privacy and the dignity of the people who live or work in those buildings and structures. You need to remember that architectural photography is not just about aesthetics, but also about ethics.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?