The iOS 4.1 Update is now available for download and one of the most highly anticipated features is HDR (High Dynamic Range). For the purpose of this post I will show you a collection of photos which I have taken with HDR enabled. By default HDR is turned off, simply click the option from within the Camera application and you are ready to shoot. Your iPhone 4 will save both a HDR shot and the original unedited shot in your Camera Roll by default, but going into settings allows you to change this. According to Wikipedia,
high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminances between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods. This wider dynamic range allows HDR images to more accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to faint starlight.”
So now that we know what HDR is let’s jump right into the sample photos. On the left you will see the original photo taken with default camera settings (autofocus on, flash auto, HDR off) and on the right, the HDR image. None of the samples shown below used the flash, although I might have opted to use the flash since the first three photos were very poorly lit.
So now you’ve seen what HDR brings to the iPhone 4. Personally I find the feature both exciting and extremely useful. The only downside to HDR is that it takes the phone several seconds before it can save the HDR image so if you are use to the default rapid fire shooting, you’ll need to exhibit patience. Also, HDR will not work if you plan on taking fast-action shots, as seen in the last set of photos. We’ll continue toying around with the iOS 4.1 update and follow up with a formal review of the update tomorrow morning. If you have any questions about iOS 4.1 feel free to submit a comment below so that we can answer the questions in our review.
