Question
What are Scott Kivowitz's insights on HDR photography and its evolving software tools?
Answer
Hi there! I’m Scott Kivowitz. HDR has been a big part of my photographic journey for a long time, and my perspective on it has evolved alongside the software.
Early on, I used HDR mainly to solve a technical problem: scenes with dynamic range beyond what a single exposure could handle. That meant multiple brackets and careful merging, often followed by dodging and burning to refine contrast. It was more about faithfully capturing what I saw than making something surreal.
Over time, HDR tools and tone-mapping software became much better—less crunchy halos, better noise handling, more natural presets. When I revisited one of my first HDR photos from 2005, the difference was dramatic. Modern software made it easier to retain detail, control color, and keep things realistic, instead of that over-processed “HDR look.”
My current view:
- HDR is a technical tool, not a style. It should serve the story of the photo.
- Good HDR blends with traditional techniques like dodging and burning, not replaces them.
- With today’s software, you can often work faster and more naturally, focusing on mood and light rather than fighting artifacts.
If you’d like, I can walk you through a simple, modern HDR workflow step by step—capture through edit.