You may have noticed the HDR feature on your iOS or Android camera app. What is HDR? How did it begin? How can we create HDR photography? What does it actually DO?

What is HDR Photography?

HDR stands for high dynamic range photography. When a camera snaps a photograph of a scene, there are areas of both high and low light intensity. The spectrum of lightness and darkness between these extremes defines the camera’s dynamic range. The camera processor must choose an exposure within that dynamic range to best capture the scene and details. HDR Photography is a method of blending exposures of the same scene to maximize detail.

Learn about Dynamic Range

From inside a building, open your camera app and point the lens at an exterior window. You will notice the details of whatever is outside the window. Grass blades, tree leaves, and street signs in the sunlight appear detailed and clear. Your camera is set to a low exposure because the sun is a powerful light source.

Now pivot the camera lens towards the window sill. The exposure will re-adjust to the new, lower light levels. You’ll notice the details inside the room will become brighter and clearer. Your camera is now set to a higher exposure to let more light into the photo. Any light from the window will become blown out. Outdoor details will become lost in the brightness.

Your camera is making adjustments to maximize visible details. Cameras, especially older ones, do a bad job capturing both dark and light details. Windows are not the only subject which causes this issue. Any light source (monitors, lamps, signs) forces your camera to change its exposure level.

Now imagine making a collage of different exposure photos of the outdoor and indoor scenes. We could combine the outdoor details from the low-exposure photo with the indoor details from the high exposure photo. Both the light and dark areas of the scene would have detail and their brightness would be more level. Nothing would be in a heavy shadow, and nothing would be washed out with light. This is HDR photography.

How HDR Photography Began

HDR photography began with photographers combining multiple negatives into a positive image during darkroom processing. The example below presents a bright, sunlight patch of ocean and sky, yet the details of the clouds and waves and even the shoreline can still be discerned.

Later, dodging and burning (changing the exposure of specific areas of a photograph during developing) became the preferred method to capture the dynamic range of a scene. The photo by W. Eugene Smith below shows an example of early HDR photography. You can see the folds in the bright white shirt. The wire frame of the lampshade is clearly visible. At the same time, the background details towards the back of the room are clear. The right-hand side of the subject’s face, in shadow, still shows good detail.

Ansel Adams was a master of dodging and burning. His landscape photography often included bright skies, glaring snow caps, and reflective bodies of water contrasted against dark forest expanses and shadowy rock walls. To bring out the detail of these extremes, he would burn the strong lights and dodge the dark areas, producing a high dynamic range.

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, technology introduced HDR settings into video camera recorders. Nowadays, most camera apps have an HDR setting.

Where You See HDR Images Today

HDR photography has become popular in the real estate industry. Realtors can now capture photos of rooms with bright windows and still keep details of the interior. Architectural and video game renderings usually include some HDR processing to enhance visual detail. Landscape and cityscape photographers sometimes use HDR.

Televisions manufacturers (Samsung, LG, and Sony) are adopting HDR technology as well. Netflix and Amazon Prime are adding HDR content. More about HDR television.

Digital Methods and Photoshop for HDR Photography

Adobe Photoshop and other programs offer methods to work with HDR photography.

Merge to HDR

This method requires the same photo at different exposures, so you will need to know how to adjust your camera’s exposure level. Use a tripod for the best results.

Photoshop has had a “Merge to HDR” feature since 2005. Under the File menu, select Automate > Merge to HDR. Choose multiple exposures of the same photo with the pop-up dialog. There are settings to tweak to your liking. The end result will be an HDR representation of your original photos.

Third-Party Software

Photoshop plugins such as HDRsoft and Redynamix are available for fine-tuned HDR processing.

No Photoshop? Standalone HDR programs exist:

• Aurora HDR
• EasyHDR
• Photomatix Pro
• A list of HDR software

HDR and Apple Products

Apple’s HDR camera feature was first introduced in iOS4.1 (release September 2010). It combines several images taken in quick succession, and can toggle either on or off. Since then, Apple added an Auto option. To avoid overdoing the effect, Apple’s HDR feature blends the HDR version of the image with the original to produce a more subtle effect.

Camera Repair with iFixYouri

Of course, HDR photography is impossible with no camera. If your camera lens broke, or if your camera does not take clear or focused pictures, visit iFixYouri. Our technicians offer professional camera repair for all makes and models of smartphones and tablets. Repairs are available for both front and rear cameras. All replacement parts come with a 90-day warranty that covers everything but accidental damage. Happy snapping!

You can now get cash for your old smartphone with iFixYouri’s Device Buy-Back. iFixYouri Smart Device Repair has released a new program! We offer cash for used and broken smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players, such as the iPod. Not only does the buyback program offer cash for your used devices, but it also reduces electronic waste, as many devices are refurbished and the rest have their components recycled or disposed of in a safe, ethical way. A win-win-win for the customers, iFixYouri, and the planet.

How Does Device Buy-Back Work?

The process is straightforward. Visit iFixYouri’s Sell My Device page and choose the make and model of electronic device you’d like to sell. For devices with multiple generations of the same product, such as the different models of Apple iPod, you will need to know which generation you have to get the most accurate buy-back estimate. Generation numbers for Apple products can be determined by the model number usually printed or engraved on the back side of most devices.

After your make and model have been determined and selected, there will be several questions about device details, which may include: phone carrier, storage capacity, engraving (for iPods), and device condition (more on that below).

Once you have selected all the most accurate responses for the device you are trying to sell, our best buy-back estimate will appear and you can click the “Get Paid” button to be sent an email containing a shipping label to send your device to iFixYouri.

What Happens After I Send My Device?

After we have received the device, a technician will perform a diagnostic test on it to confirm that the device details match those you’d selected.

NOTE: Your final cashback amount may be less or more than the website buy-back calculator based on the findings of our diagnostic and valuation. Should you decide that you do not want to sell the device after this valuation, you may choose to have the device shipped back to you. In this situation, you will be responsible for shipping costs.

What Condition Is My Device In?

The condition of your device affects how much you will receive for it. Devices in better condition will obviously fetch you more cash. How do we define the different conditions? Most devices fall in one of three conditions:

1. Mint condition devices appear to be new out of the box and has absolutely no scratches, scuffs or other marks.
2. Good condition devices power on, are fully functional (all buttons and ports), and have no cracks on the screen or body.
3. Broken condition devices do not power on, have a cracked screen or body, or are not 100% functional(i.e. broken power button or home button).

These options are to help you decide if you want to let iFixYouri buy your device, and the final price depends on the valuation. For example, if you select Good but our technicians determine the device to be Mint, our offer will be in the Mint price range.

Some devices, such as iPods, only have options for good or broken conditions. For those devices, we offer the same amount for both Mint and Good condition devices, so just choose Good.

How Do I Get Paid for My Used Device?

The process on the website was streamlined to keep it simple. If certain options are not listed for your device, they do not affect the value.

1. Fill out the details for your device on our Sell My Device page and click the Get Paid button. You will be asked first to create an iFixYouri account if you do not already have one. This account will keep track of your selling and repair history.
2. Next, you will be asked to provide the email address of your PayPal account. Your device arrives at our warehouse and undergoes inspection. Money will be sent directly to the PayPal account address you provide.
3. A confirmation screen comes next so you can verify all the details associated with your buyback transaction.
4. Finally, press Confirm! We email a shipping label and ask that you package only the device in a secure, firm shipping container. Do not send cords, cables, cases or accessories.

https://www.ifixyouri.com/sell-my-device

A new iFixYouri location has opened today (Monday, May 9, 2016) in Brookline, MA! We are excited to expand our services in the Boston area and bring our smartphone tablet and computer repair experience to the people of Brookline. For more details, the press release is below.

iFixYouri Brookline on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ifixyouri.brookline/

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iFixYouri, the Official Repair Shop of the Boston Red Sox, will open a new retail location on Monday, May 9, 2016, bringing their expertise in smartphone, tablet, and computer repair to the town of Brookline, MA. This will serve as the 3rd location in the Boston market, with 12 locations total in Florida and Massachusetts.

This retail location will provide walk-in repair services for the public who are in need of any type of tablet, computer, or smartphone repair. Most repairs can be completed while customers wait. The electronics repair experts at iFixYouri are known for their top notch customer service backed with affordable pricing on all repair services.

“iFixYouri is proud to expand our electronics repair services into the Brookline area. Our repair experience and quality customer service provide a great value to the people the Boston,” said CEO of iFixYouri, Christopher Johncke. “We don’t want the citizens of Brookline walking around with broken devices. We’re very excited proud to serve the local community and to be growing in the city of Boston! Go Red Sox!”

This will be first iFixYouri location in Brookline and the third in Massachusetts (the other locations are in the Back Bay on Newbury Street, and in the Cambridgeside Galleria).
iFixYouri is the official repair shop of the Boston Red Sox.

iFixYouri Brookline is located at:
1381 Beacon St,
Brookline, MA 02446
iFixYouri Brookline can be reached at 617-505-6527.

About iFixYouri Smart Device Repair

iFixYouri, a rapidly growing repair company that provides repair services for smartphones, tablets, and computers, is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. iFixYouri was founded by CEO & President Christopher Johncke in 2010 in Lake Park, FL.

Inc Magazine has named iFixYouri one of top 5000 fastest growing companies two years in a row. Currently iFixYouri has 3 locations in Palm Beach County, FL, 6 in Orlando, FL, and 3 in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit http://www.iFixYouri.com.

It seems like a lot of people nowadays have technical skills and experience. Many of them are aware that replacement parts and guides for smartphone, tablet, and computer repair can be found online, often for cheap. Some repair shops will do repairs with parts brought in by the customer. So why not purchase your own parts and repair your phone yourself (the DIY route) to try to save some money? Here’s a few:

Low-Quality Replacement Parts

When you take your pick of an online parts supplier to attempt a DIY repair, you can’t be sure of the quality level of the parts you might find. Replacement parts must be precisely designed to meet the tight dimension requirements of today’s smartphones and tablets and function properly. A lack of quality in replacement parts can lead to poor fit, flawed function and even compounded future problems.

A professional repair shop that’s been repairing smartphones, tablets and computers for years has formed relationships with trusted parts suppliers who consistently provide high-quality replacement parts that they can rely on.

No Repair Warranty

Most cellphone and computer repair shops offer warranty protection for their repairs. However, you will struggle to find a repair shop offering warranties on a repair using replacement parts that were brought in by the customer. The peace of mind provided by a warranty is simply not available when you attempt your own repair or bring your own parts to a repair. What happens when your replacement part fails or breaks shortly after the repair is completed? You have to roll the dice once again, purchasing another part and redoing the repair with all its risks…

Repair Your Phone Yourself? Risky.

The replacement part is only one aspect of a smart device repair. Typically the actual labor of the repair can cost as much or more than the replacement part. There is a reason for this: repair companies can work on hundreds of these devices per month. This experience gives them the ability to do the repair the correct way on the first try.

Smart devices are complex, and it can be a risky process to open one up and make even the most common repairs. Many techniques of phone and tablet repair involve a developed feel, and a broad knowledge of component layout and proper teardown/reassembly sequences. The bonus of choosing a repair shop is they will already know the repair procedure, as well as insider tips and tricks that allow for smoother repair and further damage prevention.

Bayly Miley, the Orlando regional manager of iFixYouri, offers the following regarding customers trying to save by purchasing their own parts:

If just the glass is broken, then YES, the part can be found cheaply, but there is a mountain of risk you have to go over in the repair, including proper heating, pressure, and a lot of patience, not to mention the precision you have to have using the liquid, optically-clear adhesive to bond the glass back to the LCD.

Also, if customers supply their own part, there is no warranty at all. I’d rather people not purchase their own parts. They aren’t saving anything, because all the cost is in the labor and assuming the risk.

What can happen when I install said part and it doesn’t work? How can we feel good about charging the customer for the labor when their device isn’t fixed? The risk for them is too high with their own parts; typically, they don’t save any money.

While it seems like you may be able to save a few dollars by buying your own replacement parts online and doing the repair yourself, the reality is that the true value of seeking professional smart device repair lies in the know-how and experience, warranties, and quality parts you get at iFixYouri.