Understanding dynamic range in photography: A complete guide

Dynamic range is one of the critical concepts in photography. It determines how well your camera captures the brightest highlights and deepest shadows within a scene. If you’re tackling high-contrast scenes – think sunrises, sunsets, or dramatic landscapes – understanding dynamic range is a must. So, in this guide, we bring you all you need to know about dynamic range and what it means for your photography.

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What is dynamic range in photography?

Dynamic range refers to the contrast ratio between the brightest and darkest parts of an image that your camera can capture. It’s often measured in stops of light or f-stops. Cameras with a higher dynamic range help you retain details in both bright highlights and deep shadows, making them ideal for challenging conditions like high-contrast scenes.

Modern digital cameras, including DSLRs, mirrorless systems, and flagship models from major brands, are pushing the boundaries of dynamic range capabilities. But no matter how impressive they are, no camera can match the human eye. If you spend a lot of time in the forest and try to capture that magical atmosphere it has in bright sunlight, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s just not the same in the photo as how you see it with your eyes (sigh). But worry not, there are ways to overcome this – you’ll need to use creative techniques to balance the extremes between the darkest and the brightest areas of the scene.

Why does dynamic range matter?

When you understand and use dynamic range effectively, you’ll make your photos stand out with striking details in both highlights and shadows. These are the most commonly used ways to expand the dynamic range in the final image:

• High dynamic range photography (HDR photography): HDR combines multiple exposures into one image, enhancing details in highlights and shadows. It’s a technique you can easily incorporate into your work. However, I urge you to master it properly and not overdo it. Otherwise, it would look artificial and over-the-top.
• Post-processing tools: Editing software comes to the rescue when you want to make the best out of your photos. It’s possible for you to recover details in post, especially in RAW files, as they preserve more information.

Factors influencing your camera’s dynamic range

The dynamic range of your camera impacts your image quality and how much detail you can capture in tricky lighting. Knowing what affects your camera’s performance can help you make smarter choices when shooting.

• Camera sensor: Full-frame sensors generally offer better dynamic range than crop sensors, giving you more flexibility in high-contrast scenes.
• ISO settings: Sticking to lower ISO settings helps you preserve more detail, while higher ISO values amplify noise that reduces dynamic range.
• File format: When you shoot in RAW format, your camera captures more dynamic range than JPEG, ensuring you can recover details in post-processing.

As I mentioned, modern digital cameras have a pretty high dynamic range, usually around 14 stops. But some camera sensors go beyond that. There’s also a never-ending debate about the dynamic range between film and digital, and you can learn more about it here.

Techniques to maximize dynamic range in photography

Now, if you don’t have the latest and greatest camera, don’t worry. You can still make the most of its dynamic range with a couple of tricks up your sleeve. By using some smart techniques, you can bring out the best in your shots and capture all the details your scene has to offer.

Use neutral density filters

Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering your lens, helping you avoid overexposure in bright conditions. For landscapes, a graduated neutral density filter (GND filter) is particularly helpful, as it balances the bright sky with the darker foreground.

Bracket your exposures

Taking multiple exposures of the same scene at different exposure values is a great way to create HDR images. Many cameras include an auto-bracketing feature, making it easy for you to experiment with this technique.

Optimize your exposure settings

Getting your exposure settings right is key to maximizing dynamic range. Remember exposure triangle? Now’s the time to use what you learned about it:

• Shutter speed: Use slower shutter speeds to capture more shadow details.
• Aperture: Smaller f-stops (e.g., f/11) help you get the full depth of your scene.
• ISO settings: Stick to your camera’s lowest ISO to make the most of its dynamic range.

Post-processing

If you shoot in RAW, you can recover shadow details and reduce highlights using editing software. My go-to tool is Lightroom, but you can also go with alternatives like CaptureOne, Luminar NEO, Darktable… Even the free online software Photopea.

Best practices for high dynamic range photography

High dynamic range photography requires patience and a bit of practice, but it’s worth the effort. When you’re in the field, these are a few techniques that will help you tackle the challenge and get the best shots:

• Choose the right scenes: HDR imaging works best with high-contrast scenes like sunsets and sunrises, both in landscapes and cityscapes. As I mentioned above, you may also need to rely on bracketing and HDR images when shooting in a forest
• Use a tripod: Speaking of landscapes and cityscapes, a stable tripod ensures consistent framing across your different exposures.
• Pay attention to bit depth: Cameras with higher bit depth capture more tonal information, allowing you to create smoother transitions between highlights and shadows.

Understanding your camera’s limitations

Every camera has its limits when it comes to dynamic range, and recognizing these helps you adapt your approach to get the best results. One common challenge is the inability to capture extreme highlights and deep shadows in a single shot. This can lead to blown-out highlights or crushed shadows, especially in high-contrast scenes. To mitigate this, use the post-processing techniques and tips mentioned above.

Another factor is ISO settings—while higher ISOs are useful in low light, they often reduce dynamic range by amplifying noise. Sticking to lower ISO values preserves detail in both highlights and shadows. Similarly, shooting in RAW format instead of JPEG gives you greater flexibility to recover lost details during editing, as RAW files retain more tonal information.

Lastly, environmental factors like harsh midday sun can push your camera beyond its dynamic range. Planning your shots around softer, diffused light can be beneficial. If it’s possible, you can try shooting during golden hour or blue hour to help balance these extremes. Or, as mentioned above, use ND filters to balance out challenging scenes in-camera.

Creative uses of dynamic range

While your camera’s dynamic range can sound limiting, you can view it another way – as an opportunity to get creative and express your artistic vision. Here are some ideas to try:

• Silhouettes: Expose for the highlights behind your subject to striking silhouettes.
• Moody shadows: Embrace deep shadows to add atmosphere and mystery to your images. I personally like this look a lot
• Bright highlights: Overexpose intentionally for a dreamy, ethereal effect. Think high-key photography, especially popular in portraits. However, learn to differentiate between high-key and poorly exposed shots.

Conclusion

Mastering dynamic range allows you to elevate your craft, capturing balanced, visually stunning photos that highlight the interplay of light and shadow. While we especially notice our camera’s limitations with landscapes, understanding your camera’s dynamic range is essential for every photographer. It will not only help you create better photos, but also understand your gear and create new creative possibilities for yourself.