One of the new features of Apple’s forthcoming iOS 4.1 update is HDR photography.
iOS 4.1 update’s HDR photography allows users to take photos that capture a wider range of light intensity using the new high dynamic range (HDR) setting on iPhone 4, which automatically combines the best parts of three separate exposures into a single HDR image.
When running iOS 4.1, in Settings>Photos, users have the option to “Keep Normal Photo” which will save the normally exposed photo in addition to the HDR version.
So you can see what HDR does (good and bad), we snapped some examples — focusing more on high contrast situations than on composition — with an iPhone 4, running iOS 4.1 GM with HDR off (left) vs. HDR on (right):
(click on the photos for larger images)
 non-HDR |
 HDR |
 non-HDR |
 HDR |
 non-HDR |
 HDR |
 non-HDR |
 HDR |
 non-HDR |
 HDR |
iOS 4.1 is expected to be released soon. See more of what’s new in iOS 4.1 here.
@ Eating Developers Again
That’s exactly what I meant. They are approaching it from the perspective of getting a balanced result and going easy on the tone mapping, which goes against the trend in HDR. When it’s done modestly it can look great, but I’m really tired of the Look I Can Do HDR look.
@ Davidlow
Yes, but apparently the software takes the shots in very rapid secession, so a steady hand should suffice.
Actually, with a gyro and accelerometer and clever software the HDR program should be able to eliminate camera movement between frames (and within frames for that matter).
Speaking as an ex pro from the Kodachrome era, it seems the shots that benefit are those shooting from deep shade into a sunlit background (and some sunsets will look more colorful). In other cases, all that HDR is doing is compressing the dynamic range of the shot, which often takes away much of its vibrancy and appeal. It’s a great option to have but most will settle for the one-shot version for most situations.
All of the print apps on the store are almost useless and work with a very limited range of printers. Plus they are mainly from the printer manufacturers, not indie developers or something, and free to boot. Apple needs to implement it as a standard feature, and they are.
Just the fact that you can keep both of the images is a winning situation, either to delete the one you don’t like, or to use in an image manipulating program – as mentioned above.
Win Win.
The point I was trying to make was that Apple has a tendency to Bigfoot on some of it’s developers (Mac & mobile) precisely because they are so closed mouth about their plans going forward. Many Mac SW houses are small & have, for them, significant resources invested in their apps. If Apple adds it’s main function with no notice they are left holding the bag.
Watson-Sherlock comes to mind.
HDR looks a bit lame to be honest, but maybe that’s down to bad photo skills…….
Top 15 best free iPhone 4 Apps :
http://www.aneesoft.com/tutorials/iphone/best-free-iphone-4-apps.html