Dynamic range imaging technology

In computer graphics, film, photography and camera technology, high dynamic range imaging is a set of technologies used to achieve greater exposure dynamic range (that is, greater difference between light and dark) than ordinary digital imaging technology. The purpose of high dynamic range imaging is to correctly represent the brightness in the real world from direct sunlight to the darkest shadow.

High dynamic range imaging was originally used only for images generated purely by calculators. Later, people developed some methods to generate high dynamic range images from photos with different exposure ranges. With the increasing popularity of digital cameras and the simple use of desktop software, many amateur photographers use high dynamic range imaging to generate photos of high dynamic range scenes, but don't take this as the only purpose. In fact, there are many other applications in the high dynamic range.

When used for display, high dynamic range images often need tone mapping, and they should be used together with several other full-screen effects.