HDRI
more info soon: still updating this page
What is HDRI?
Info from the wikipedia HDRI page;
In image processing, computer graphics, and photography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range of luminances between light and dark areas of a scene than normal digital imaging techniques. The intention of HDRI is to accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes ranging from direct sunlight to shadows.
Tonemapping
One problem with HDR has always been in viewing the images. Typical computer monitors (CRTs, LCDs), prints, and other methods of displaying images only have a limited dynamic range. Thus various methods of converting HDR images into a viewable format have been developed, generally called “tone mapping”.
Early methods of tone mapping were simple. They simply showed a “window” of the entire dynamic range, clipping to set minimum and maximum values. However, more recent methods have attempted to compress the dynamic range into one reproducible by the intended display device. The more complex methods tap into research on how the human eye and visual cortex perceive a scene, trying to show the whole dynamic range while retaining realistic colour and contrast.
Images with too much “HDR” processing have their range over-compressed, creating a surreal low-dynamic-range rendering of a high-dynamic-range scene.
There are several HDRI/ Tonemapping software tools like FDRTools or Photomatix (last one is my personal favorite).
Exposure blending/ Enfusing
Another technique then Tonemapping is blending more than one exposure together for contrast control, increased dynamic range, or creative purpose. Sometimes this technique gives more natural images then when you choose for tonemapping a HDRI image.
Usefull sites:
