Dumb question but what is HDR?

[Flash in the pan]

It's probably bleeding obvious!!

[blacknstormy]

In computer graphics and photography, high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range of exposures (the range of values between light and dark areas) 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.

HDRI was originally developed for use with purely computer-generated images. Later, methods were developed to produce a high dynamic range image from a set of photographs taken with a range of exposures. With the rising popularity of digital cameras and easy-to-use desktop software, the term "HDR" is now popularly used[1] to refer to the process of tone mapping together with bracketed exposures of normal digital images, giving the end result a high, often exaggerated dynamic range. This composite technique is different from, and generally of lower quality than, the production of an image from a single exposure of a sensor that has a native high dynamic range. Tone mapping is also used to display HDR images on devices with a low native dynamic range, such as a computer screen.

Wilkipedia

[losfp]

High Dynamic Range.

In the context of digital photography, it is blending multiple exposures to achive the effect of high dynamic range. While it is possible to do this with a single RAW file (by using your RAW converter's various HDR tools to recover clipped highlights and recover shadow detail without affecting the overall exposure), this is most commonly done by bracketing the exposure and using a software program to blend them (or you can do it manually using layers in photoshop, whatever's your poison.

[Flash in the pan]

Thankfully not that bleeding obvious. Many thanks for the input and answers.

[stubbsy]

A good question to ask. I've moved this to the Absolute Beginners Questions area for someone to (hopefully) find again when they are similarly puzzled.

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[robert]

Anyone know any good free programs for this- my PS skills are a little shaky.

Robert