HDR photos with the GIMP

This instructable shows one fairly simple way to combine multiple exposures into a HDR (high dynamic range) image using the GIMP.

By taking a shorter exposure or closing the aperture, the camera will underexpose. This means that the dark parts of the scene will silhouette and the light parts will be recorded well. Taking a longer exposure or opening the aperture, the camera will overexpose, meaning the light parts of the scene will wash out to white, but the shadows of the scene (that were black in the underexposed photo) will come out well. Composite HDR refers to a range of techniques to take the best parts of both of these photos and combine them in a photo that captures more of the range of light levels in the scene.

• Link
• Once you understand the basics, you can use the exposure-blend GIMP plugin to automate the process. (Use this version for GIMP 2.3 and later).
• For some examples of good HDR images, check out the TTHDR (True Tone High Dynamic Range) group, or the Quality HDR group, on Flickr

Related:

• Modern HDR photography, a how-to or Saturday morning relaxation