Customer Reviews:
 Very technical, valuable information September 22, 2008
Great book if you're interested in truly understanding what HDR is, how it works, why it works -- more than just learning how to do some techniques. You must be interested in the technical aspects of color, light, file formats, bit depth, sensors, etc to appreciate this book, but if you are, you'll come away with a much clearer understanding of HDR and how you can use it.
 Outstanding Book August 31, 2008
Christian is an excellent technical writer. Specifically, he is very easy to understand while covering technical subject matter. The book is sprinkled with some light humor, which makes for some needed entertainment when attempting to digest the information. The book provides important background information on file formats and the limitations of each, providing the WHY of the related HOW to make great photography using HDR.
Very enlightening July 22, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
HDR (high dynamic range) images are starting to take the photography world by storm (at the time of this writing, the HDR Flickr group has over 18,000 members). If you ask a room full of people what HDR is, you get a wide range of answers, and typically they are all partly correct. Simply put however, HDR imaging is the process of creating an image that encompasses a wide range of exposure values. This allows the resultant image to be nearly all encompassing in every detail. HDR Imaging has, until very recently, been the purvey of Hollywood graphic and special effects artists. "The HDRI Handbook" by Christian Bloch helps bring this exciting arena to everyone else.
The first part of the book gives a much needed overview of what HDRI really is. It also delves into current camera technology, describes present-day limiting factors, and outlines where the industry is headed (hold on to your hats!). From there the author provides an overview of HDRI tools - quite current as the book was published in November of 2007 - and gives an unbiased review of each.
At this point, you delve right into the steps needed to capture a quality series of images from which you can generate an HDR image. This is not for the faint of heart - you need to know your camera well. In the off chance you don't know your camera that well, this section helps you learn more. It certainly taught me a couple things.
Also covered are such critical subjects as image cleanup, croppung and framing, and other adjustments that are but the first step of creating the HDR image. From here you move on to critical sections on Tone Mapping and shooting Panoramic HDR images. The book wraps up with a section for using HDR images in CG (computer generated) graphics.
It should be noted that all tutorials in the book assume the use of Photoshop CS3. However, features of other tools, such as FDR Tools and Artizen, are covered quite well. Numerous example images are on the accompanying DVD, along with sample versions of the latest HDR programs. In addition, there is a companion website to keep the reader up to speed on this fast emerging area of imaging.
"The HDRI Handbook" is a must read for anyone who wants to dabble in HDR imaging. Written by a recognized expert in the field, this book carefully and cleanly details everything you need to know to generate quality HDR images that will make you the envy of your photographer friends. The examples in the book are stunning, and the techniques presented will give you confidence for when you start to compile your own High Dynamic Range image library.
The HDRI Handbook: High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists June 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a great book in the development of HDR technology..I am sure "The next generation of cameras will have this built into their processors -- it is going to be that big". If you are serious about enjoying and developing your photography skills this is the now and future..And it requires real skills to get a masters in HDR results.. and if you want to take away the luck factor and know you are getting a great shot simply buy this book...
Aptly named May 31, 2008
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
This is an excellent book provided you know what you are getting. It is a genuine handbook, by which I mean it has loads of information about the theory of HDRI, capturing pictures and software used to create the final version. If all you want is a how-to-do-it there are cheaper and frankly less complex books out there. I recommend the Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography by Ferrell McCollough as a quite well-done book that is all most people will need. That having been said, the Bloch is essential for the underlying ideas and is particularly strong on HDRI panoramic photography. Also somewhat more complete and useful than other books on comparing various software programs for combining pictures. Well written and clear. One major advantage of the Bloch book is that it has a CD with versions of the major software packages (all available as free trial downloads as well)and more importantly it also contains the pictures used throughout the book as illustrations so that one can practice HDRI creation and compare one's own results with those by Bloch. HDRI is not especially difficult, but it takes a certain amount of practice and patience -- the CD helps to solve the practice part of the process. For patience you're on your own.
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