StormClouds Flatirons Boulder Close-up

Comment by Dennis Gardner on August 28, 2008 at 9:49pm

Amazing picture. I habe set it as my background. Was the picture enhanced at all? It almost seems too awesome to be natural.

Comment by Thomas Walsh on August 28, 2008 at 10:02pm

Thanks for the comment, Dennis.

For the photo, I used a new technology known as high dynamic range imaging (HDRI). Normally, a single photo can only capture a small part of the dynamic range (the levels of brightness) that the human eye can see. Anything brighter than what the photo can show is displayed as blown out white with no detail. Anything darker is shown as just black with no detail.

With HDRI, the photographer takes several photos at different exposures. The darkest shots show the details of the brightest areas; the brightest show the details of the darkest areas. These are then digitally combined to show the range that the human eye can see. This often gives a very dramatic result when compared to traditional photography.

Expect to see LOTS more HDRI over the coming years.

Thanks, again, for the feedback.

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