This is an excellent read. This is the third book on HDR that I've read. They have all improved my results. This book is a continued use book, it has info that you can refer to as you game plan for the photo your about to develop. Really filled in some gaps in my knowledge. Gives excellent examples for a number of different HDR software and on what types of images they each excel.

I am a photomatix user, after reading this book I am using more of the tools the software provides. I am now trying some of the other HDR software. I see where they can fit into my workflow.

It was with high anticipation that I got this book to read. While it does give a lot of information and technique, it's just too broad dealing with all of the different HDR software that's available. Unfortunately in this age of great books by Scott Kelby, this one misses the mark for me. My main complaint would be, no example files or online videos to augment what you are trying to learn. I know exactly what kind of look I want and the type of photography that I shoot. Without any actual files to work with (unlike the 7 Point System) I'm still stuck on exactly how to use Photomatix Pro for what I need. Oh well, maybe next time.

HDR can certainly improve some images or create a unique "look" but it's not for general photographic use, at least not yet. But given that, this Guide explains how to use HDR very well and gives a number of examples I would never have thought of.

I have been trying to learn HDR for the past 6 months using mainly online tutorials. This is the first book I have purchased or read on the subject. Without going into too much scientific detail the author gives a great understanding on what HDR is all about.

He gives great background info on why HDR is needed, what causes noise in digital photos and a lot of information you might or might not want before he ever gets into the how-to-do part of HDR.

He also compares the different programs available for HDR processing and the strengths and weakness of each program.

Once he gets into the actual HDR part, he gives you pretty much all the information you might need to produce great HDR photos. He shows examples and explains how to get both 'realistic' and 'artistic' photos.
He also shows what kind of problems you might incur with different types of scenes and how to approach and correct the problems you might encounter. He also shows how to do HDR-type processing from single images(although he says it won't get you the same 'true' HDR results.

He covers many areas in which you can use HDR, including interior home photography, or, color gels, and a new technique he developed called 'flash merging', which is shooting multiple images using your flash and making an HDR photo from that. I personally think learning this new 'flash merging' technique is worth the price of the book alone.

There are also some samples from great HDR photographers (but those are mainly for inspiration on what can be done, and don't offer much in the way of how-to's).

If you are new to HDR and want to learn how its done, from analyzing scenes before your first image is ever captured in the camera, all the way through to final image, of if you have been doing it for a while and want to learn how to approach problem areas that are keeping your HDR photos from looking like the pros (like noise in your clouds and dark areas) then this book would be a great investment....and it's at a great price.

ByronT....Tulsa, Ok

HDR photography solves one problem with digital photography, the inability to record an extended tonal range that captures detail in the shadows while preserving it in the highlights. Most fussing with histograms, contrast, and post-processing is simply a compromise. The techniques explored in this book can truly extend the dynamic range of your photographs, and the author provides solid advice on how to apply this tricky process.

You'll find step by step instructions for capturing the dynamic range of any scene, using features found in virtually every digital camera. The photographs used as illustrations in this book are inspiring, too. I recommend this book highly.

Ferrell does a nice job covering the technical and then applying it to the practical. He does this with excellent examples of his own work and that of other fine HDR photographers. The book covers the basics and also the details with fine examples of the various techniques. It is obvious that McCollough is technically grounded however his is wise enough to keep the information accessible, understandable and usable. I recommend this book as it will make HDR photography understandable, usable and fun!

Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book) is an easy to read guide that makes HDR understandable and do-able. Unlike other books on HDR that left me thinking maybe I shoud'be gone for that rocket scientist degree after all, this one works for me. McCollough takes a relatively difficult aspect of digital photography and puts it on a level that makes me feel like I really can take perfect HDR photographs. I know I will want to refer to its informative and well done illustrations many times to fully utilize all the aspects and possibilities of this phenomenal and relatively new phase of photography. I highly recommend it!