The Ultimate Guide of HDR Photo on iPhone Camera

Ollie Mattison

Nov 11, 2024• Proven solutions

High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography has revolutionized the way we capture images on our mobile devices, particularly on iPhones, which are known for their superior camera capabilities. This guide delves into what HDR photography is, how to utilize it on your iPhone, and provides tips on when to use or avoid this feature for optimal photographic results.

• Part1: What does HDR photo mean
• Part2: How to use HDR photo on iPhone
• Part3: How to discard normal photo
• Part4: When to use iPhone HDR mode
• Part5: When not to take HDR photo on iPhone

Part1: What does HDR photo mean

HDR on a camera stands for High Dynamic Range. This technology aims to mimic the way the human eye perceives light and color in real environments. In essence, HDR photos are created by combining multiple shots of the same scene taken at different exposure levels. The result is a single image with greater detail in the highlights and shadows, vibrant colors, and a more balanced exposure.

The iPhone achieves this by quickly capturing a series of images at different brightness levels and then stitching them together to create a photo with enhanced color and detail. This is particularly useful in high-contrast situations where you would otherwise lose details in dark or bright areas.

Part2: How to use HDR photo on iPhone

Using HDR on your iPhone is straightforward. Here’s how you can enable and use HDR mode:

1. Open the Camera app: Launch your iPhone's Camera app from the Home screen or Control Center.
2. Enable HDR settings: On some iPhone models, HDR is automatically enabled. However, if your iPhone allows manual control, you can enable HDR by tapping the HDR icon in the camera app and selecting 'On'. On newer models, look for 'Smart HDR' and ensure it is enabled in the Settings under Camera options.
3. Take your photo: With HDR enabled, just point and shoot. The iPhone takes care of the rest, processing the HDR image automatically.

Part3: How to discard normal photo

If you want to discard normal photo, still, you have the option of disabling and manually controlling the HDR effect.

• Open settings
• Tap on camera from the list
• Under the HDR heading slide the toggle to "off"

Rest is the same as previous devices. The HDR version, as well as the normal version of the photo, will be saved in the gallery. This can clearly help in comparing the effects and quality. But if you are worried about memory consumption then slide the toggle "keep normal photo" to off.

Now, as you know how to use it, you might get tempted to use it every time. No! Just like too much of sweet is bad for teeth, too much of HDR can also spoil the result. You should know when to use and when not to use it. For instance

Part4: When to use iPhone HDR mode

Landscapes

Landscapes are about the contrast. So instead of hemming and hawing over the blown-out sky for land details or perfectly coloured sky for blackened land, use HDR. It's best to capture the "brightest white" to the "darkest black". The merging of lightest and darkest element will give best results.

Back-lit scenes

There can be times when the source of light is behind the subject or there is too much of light (i.e portrait in sunlight) which can overshadow the foreground.  HDR will bring the glare down and balance the front

Low-light

Low light can give dark shadows and sacrifice details.HDR photography will combine shadows, highlights and details from the 3 exposed frames and give a single best picture.

Part5: When not to take HDR photo on iPhone

High contrast scenes

Sometimes, it's all about the stark, vivid and bright contrast between dark and light areas. Suppose you want to capture shadow then HDR will make the difference less intense. If you want to capture the striking colour or light difference, HDR will normalise and blend it to make less interesting.

Vivid colourful scenes

Sometimes the scene has rich colours. The crisp and vibrant colours need to be captured. As HDR does bring the detail forward from too dark or too bright but, at the same time, it can wash out the sharpness

Scenes with movements

If you are moving or any subject in the scene to be captured is moving. Even if, there is a possibility that something in the scene might move then don't use HDR.(Don't in capital letters). As HDR is all about taking three shots so any movement between them will result in ghosting.

Quick Snap

If you want to take a quick snap then HDR will be too slow for you. As it takes a little longer, owing to the fact that it takes 3 pictures and combines them for the final outcome.

Conclusion

Understanding when and how to use HDR on your iPhone can significantly enhance your photography by producing images that are rich in detail and true to life. By mastering the settings and knowing the right situations to switch HDR on or off, you can take full advantage of your iPhone's camera capabilities. Whether you're capturing a sunset or a street scene, HDR can be a powerful tool in your photography arsenal.

Images come from the Internet

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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