I love HDR (High Dynamic Range) and most of my landscape work used to be, and sometimes still is HDR based.
I use(d) HDR to take out the details in the over/underexposed areas of my photo.
Cameras have evolved in the last few years and with that the sensor quality.
This is to say that nowadays the dynamic range of the new sensors is pretty awesome, especially when a full sensor, even at a higher ISO
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If you decide to shoot in HDR keep in mind that there are few cases when it just does not work and other cases when the end result is awesome
Interior pictures of buildings
Great results in close environments, even more, if lots of light is coming through the windows.
This is a typical case when the photo has substantial areas underexposed, with shadows that will be black and without details.
The window area will be most certainly overexposed, with an annoying white halo.
With at least 3 photos we will be able to collect information about all areas, to have details not only in the shadow areas but also on the exterior, this could be a tree or a nice sky with clouds.
Sunset and sunrise
This is a great time to make photos generally speaking.
If it is your goal to have details in both the shadows and the bright areas, like the sun and the sky, than HDR is one solution.
Plan to take 5 photos with different exposure (-2, -1, 0, +1, +2 EV, Exposure Value), or at least 3 exposure (-2,0,+2 EV).
In these hours of the days, HDR gives great result however it is not essential as the single exposure can be as awesome, if not more, than HDR.
Forest and gardens
I have personally mixed results with HDR in an environment with a predominance of trees and grass.
The amount of details is sometime overkilling the photo and the green colour becomes too artificial.
Post-production takes a long time and I tend to avoid using HDR at all in forest and gardens
Action photos
Just forget about it.
Do not use HDR, just use the right exposure for one unique shot.
In case you still want to give the dreamy, Harry Potter, effect, you can always process it later on as a single HDR picture or increase the contrast to a steep value, although the results may be not great, and it depends on the quality of the camera you are using.
People portraits
They do not come out great unless you want your friend to look like Terminator in a futuristic film.
It works actually the other way around.
You want to smooth the skin, and software as Lightroom have a brush to do just that.
My last comment here is that there is a time for HDR and there is a time for other photography techniques.
Plan the photo in advance and never hope for the best.
And most important, enjoy your photography time 😀
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