The HDRI Handbook 2.0: High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists 1st Edition

This is possibly the best book on digital photography that I have read to date. It is a technical book but not one that is obtuse. The first chapter gives a well crafted description of the limitations of digital cameras, sensors and the output (LDR images). From there a thorough discussion of the HDRI process with a descrption of most if not all the current HDRI software. There where hints here which improved my source images immediately. Merging a set of images into an HDR image is only the first step. Tone mapping is the next step. As is explained in the book tone mapping is the process of converting an HDR image to an LDR image. Christian Bloch explains the need for this process and gives a tutorial on a number of the HDR software packages. Also covered is the use HDR and stiched images to created a panorama image. A single reading of this book is not enough. When I started I was looking for specific information to take better source pictures and get more out of photomatrix pro. Now that I have satisfied that need I realize that a number of topics discussed early on have a greater importance to me. I will probably start reading it again too fill in holes that I left.

This book opened a whole new world of digital photography to me. The magic of HDR is now within my grasp! I can actually go out, shoot a difficult scene with my DSLR and produce an image that even I will say: Wow! when I am done. :)Thanks to the HDRI Handbook 2.0.A lot of information about digital photography and processing in this book. What I like most is how Christian Bloch is trying to make the reader understand what he is writing about. It is not just a set of instructions for certain actions telling you to press this button, then move that slider but instead we are made to understand what is going on in the background. Starting with the basics, explaining the basic principles of (digital) photography, Christian moves slowly to advanced techniques, guiding readers by the hand all the time.I learned a mighty lot and what is even better, the HDRI Handbook 2.0 with it's many practical examples and tutorials is now my standard reference and help when I sit down behind the computer to process digital photographs. For an amateur like me with a modest DSLR camera, the HDRI Handbook 2.0 is a treasure. Highly recommended!

I have bought and read other books on HDR Photography, but I wanted to learn more. When I saw this on Amazon.com, I glanced through the contents, because I was looking for evaluations on various software programs that are available to help me decide on what to purchase.This book is far more thorough, and I believe Christian Bloch really knows in detail the history and technical aspects of HDRI photography. I am reading my way through this chapter by chapter; there's a quiz at the end of each chapter, and interviews with HDRI artists/practitioners. Christian Bloch has a sense of humor that some may miss on cursory reading. I find myself taking notes as I read, and the book stimulates me to have other ideas.As I read through this book, I find myself agreeing on the importance of taking the time and care to create HDR raw material before going to Tonemapping. He has suggestions on workflow to achieve this. The CD included with the book is loaded with a lot of resources.For the reader who is looking for a quick cookbook recipe and brief reviews and pictures on a sample of selected software, this is not the book for you.

This is one of the most complete and detailed technical books I've ever read. Christopher deserves a round of applause, sharing his knowledge and insights deep into the minutia of HDRi.This is one of the most complete and detailed technical books I've ever read. Christian deserves a round of applause, sharing his knowledge and insights deep into the minutia of HDRi.The book includes detailed tutorials and in-depth knowledge into every aspect of HDRI and many of the surrounding technologies in which HDRI is used.in particular the chapters (6) on creating panoramas, and (7) on Image based lighting – that is, using an HDRI panorama as the lighting environment for a 3-D rendered scene.Earlier chapters delve deeply into the many file formats and current HDRI tools available.This book is an absolute must-have for any photographer interested in HDR I still photography and perhaps even more so for any filmmaker doing any of 3-D CGI work and visual effects.

If, like me, you’re a scientist, then this is a great book. As the author states, HDRI is a rapidly developing field, so the book is rather out of date in terms of available software and operating systems, but the workflow for creating HDR images is the best I’ve seen. The book includes lots of superfluous material that could well be included in the DVD, making it more succinct and easer to manage when reading. The downside of that, most do not read the material available on a DVD. If you are into HDRI, then it’s a great book. Just figure out what’s really important for your work.

Quite simply, this is THE definitive book on all aspects of HDRI photography. In setting about trying to photograph and put together my own HDRI panoramas, this book answered every question I had, and tackled every problem I ran into. It's very clearly written, well organized and well illustrated. It contains loads of specific technical information as well as a solid overview of the underlying principals of this specialized area of photography.This is the kind of book you can pick up, open at random, and learn something new and valuable. I'm not sure what I was expecting, exactly, but what I discovered was a volume that is probably one of the best overviews of the technology of digital photography I'm aware of. And it manages to be that while never losing sight of its primary focus on HDRI images specifically.Whether you want to shoot your own images, work with pre-existing HDRI resources, or simply gain an understanding of what it's all about, this book is simply terrific.