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What is "HDRI" and why you need it


High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI)

coverThe HDRI Handbook reveals the secrets behind High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI). Once Hollywood's best kept secret, this cutting-edge imaging technology is a method to digitally capture and edit all light in a scene. It represents a quantum leap in imaging technology, as revolutionary as the leap from black and white to color imaging. HDRI is the final step that places digital ahead of analog.

With this technology now available to everyone, the only problem was that it was poorly documented -- until now. The HDRI Handbook is the manual that was missing.

Included here is everything you need to build a comprehensive knowledge base that will enable you to become really creative with HDRI. This book is packed with practical hints and tips, software evaluations, workshops, and hands-on tutorials. A new breed of community driven HDR software is included on the companion DVD, so you can hit the ground running. Whether you are a photographer, CG artist, compositor, or cinematographer, this book is sure to enlighten you.

Topics include:
- Understanding the foundation of HDRI
- Tools for a high dynamic range workflow
- How to capture HDR images: today and tomorrow
- Tone mapping to create superior prints
- HDR image processing and compositing
- Shooting and stitching HDR panoramas
- Image based lighting and CG rendering
- World premiere of Picturenaut and Smart IBL
- Creative uses and unconventional applications

Last, but certainly not least, is the Handbook's new companion website at www.hdrlabs.com. This is the place where readers will find regular updates to the DVD, as well as galleries, forums, additional tutorials, and timely updates on technical developments in the changing world of HDRI.

coverThe HDRI Handbook:
High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists
Christian Bloch
with contributing authors: Uwe Steinmeuller, Dieter Bethke, Bernhard Vogl Foreword by Greg Ward
208 pages, $49.95 US, $59.95 CA

Author Christian Bloch is a highly acclaimed visual effects artists works and lives in Hollywood, California. During the six years of his professional career, he has created effects for the TV shows StarTrek:Enterprise, Smallville, Invasion, Lost, 24, and Studio 60, as well as several movies and commercials.
      His work has been rewarded with an Emmy Award, as well as a nomination for the Visual Effects Society Award. He has been a pioneer in the practical application of HDRI in postproduction, specifically under the budgetary and time constraints of TV production.
      Bloch earned a degree in multimedia technology. Years of research and development went into his diploma thesis about HDRI, which was honored with the achievement award of the University of Applied Sciences Leipzig. Since his thesis was published online in July 2004, it has been downloaded more than 15,000 times, and it has been established as the primary source of information on HDR in Germany. This book is the successor to Bloch's diploma thesis, rewritten completely from the ground up in English, and heavily expanded and updated.

Rocky Nook was founded in early 2006 in Santa Barbara, California, and are closely associated with dpunkt.verlag, a leading publisher of books on technology based in Heidelberg, Germany. The focus of Rocky Nook's publications is on digital photography. However, other areas related to modern photography, such as imaging and computer technology, are also important to us. Their mission is to demystify the cutting-edge developments in digital photography, providing practical instruction to enhance the skills of amateur and professional photographers. Their books offer in-depth information on technological advances in the digital photography workflow. They strive to support the efficiency and creativity of our readers with the ultimate goal of fostering outstanding image quality.

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Reviewed by Fred Showker for DTG Magazine and the News-Serve Network. (C) 2007, all rights reserved. For republication permissions and credits press the "Contact" button below. First published in DTG Magazine. ... Event dates are subject to change. Some products, programs, or promotions are not available outside the U.S. Prices are estimated retail prices and are listed in U.S. dollars. Product specifications are subject to change. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Power Mac, Velocity Engine, FireWire, AirPort, Safari, Sherlock, QuickTime, iLife, iTunes, iChat, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iCal and Apple Store are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement.

 

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