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David331037930ooz
Participant
October 23, 2023
Answered

HDR in Photoshop and printing it

  • October 23, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 6447 views

Hi Folks,

 

I'm new to this process and am trying to find out if it's possible to print an HDR image... So forgive me if this is a stupid question...

 

I have 32 bit stitched panoramic HDR andscapes in Lightroom, that I've exported as 32bit, Rec 2020, TIFF via the new Lightroom HDR update (Photoshop doesn't read the HDR PSD Files, but will rea a TIFF)... I've opened them in Photoshop, to try and change the image mode to 16bit, using the HDR Toning Exposure and Gamma option, as none of the other options work and just destroy the image. The preview doesn't change, and once I press okay, it goes flat and looks like SDR, so none of the higher dynamics are staying (not even sure if they are supposed to or not). I've been in the Camera RAW to adjust it after conversion to see if I can bring it back, but can't reclaim the images HDR dynamics...

 

I'm attempting to use this for a natural landscape HDR look, as if you were there in person, not the highly stylised hyper-realism images, so it's the highlights and white that are the extra pop I'm after... I have a Macbook Pro HDR screen and Asus HDR monitor... I know this is all new, so it might be I'm just not aware of the limitation of HDR printing, but it seems odd that HDR tech has been around for ages, and it can't be printed... I have seen the odd blog post about the printing of HDR images, but am strugling to really nail down what is possible!

 

Anyone have any info or insights, please comment... Would be great to find out if this is possible... or if I am missing something with the HDR tone mapping... 

 

Thanks...

    Correct answer D Fosse

    By definition you cannot print HDR.

     

    Ink on paper does not have that extended dynamic range.

     

    A good inkjet print on high grade glossy paper has a contrast range of at most 300:1, but most prints on matte paper will be down in the 150:1 range or even below. That's paper white : maximum ink density. That's obviously a hard physical limit.

     

    A standard dynamic range monitor already exceeds that by good margin, and that is the main explanation behind the often repeated maxim that "you cannot match screen and print". In fact that's not true, you can, but you need to reduce the dynamic range of the display considerably.

     

    An HDR monitor is way off the charts here. HDR is for screen use only.

    2 replies

    johnm71918526
    johnm71918526
    Participating Frequently
    July 17, 2024

    Greg Benz has some good suggestions.  See these suggestions. 

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 23, 2023

    By definition you cannot print HDR.

     

    Ink on paper does not have that extended dynamic range.

     

    A good inkjet print on high grade glossy paper has a contrast range of at most 300:1, but most prints on matte paper will be down in the 150:1 range or even below. That's paper white : maximum ink density. That's obviously a hard physical limit.

     

    A standard dynamic range monitor already exceeds that by good margin, and that is the main explanation behind the often repeated maxim that "you cannot match screen and print". In fact that's not true, you can, but you need to reduce the dynamic range of the display considerably.

     

    An HDR monitor is way off the charts here. HDR is for screen use only.

      D
      David331037930oozAuthor
      Participant
      October 24, 2023

      Hey there,

       

      Many thanks for your reply, that is helpful! I had a feeling that was the case, but wasn't entirely sure... It would figure considering Lightroom has only just added HDR functionailty! I'll try printing on gloss and see what the contrast looks like!

       

      One less thing to worry about for me then!

       

      Thanks for the help! 

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