HDR Off / Auto / Always On

[EricMartinSoCal]

Unless I missed it I don't think we can manually toggle HDR off or on (which I prefer) when taking a photo in regular picture mode without leaving the app and heading into settings. I could be wrong but I feel like I lose contrast and some fine detail in certain bright scenes when HDR comes on automatically. Does everyone leave it on auto? What is your preference / opinion of the HDR performance?

 

[jlangner]

I read somewhere best to turn on only when you need....if you plan to view the videos on pcs, etc since a lot will not be compatiable. If only plan to view on NDR devices then probably auto.

 

[sulla1965]

Yes of course you can toggle on/off or set for always on. Open camera, go to settings- HDR. select turn on when needed. Now when in camera mode, in the upper left you should see HDR off/on I hope you have good eyes because it very small icon.

 

[anon(9023234)]

I read somewhere best to turn on only when you need....if you plan to view the videos on pcs, etc since a lot will not be compatiable. If only plan to view on NDR devices then probably auto.

You're thinking of HDR10, not "regular" HDR.

 

[EricMartinSoCal]

Yes of course you can toggle on/off or set for always on. Open camera, go to settings- HDR. select turn on when needed. Now when in camera mode, in the upper left you should see HDR off/on I hope you have good eyes because it very small icon.

Yes, but often you can click it on or off while taking the photo I meant. Maybe I'm the only one who seems to think HDR mode on the S10+ seems to wash out the photo and fine detail a bit - especially in bright scenes?

 

[Almeuit]

I've always kept it on auto.

 

[Notefan161]

I plan to leave it on surely can't hurt?

 

[Fred98TJ]

Yes, but often you can click it on or off while taking the photo I meant. Maybe I'm the only one who seems to think HDR mode on the S10+ seems to wash out the photo and fine detail a bit - especially in bright scenes?

You’re not the only one. HDR simply, in the end, raises the shadows and lowers the speculars and thus lowing the contrast and micro-contrast (though cell phone lenses usually are pretty crappy in providing much micro-contrast) which makes the photograph look flat and more 2D. Also as you’ve rightly and smartly observed, hides some of the finer details (flattens the micro-contrast).
Photographers, usually, are very selective when PP their photos, to not open the shadows nor lower the speculars too much and are especially careful not to mash the micro-contrast. You’ll end up with a flat,2D looking photo otherwise and I see a lot of that on the various cell phone forums.

 

[jlangner]

You're thinking of HDR10, not "regular" HDR.

Thanks, yes.

 

[EricMartinSoCal]

You’re not the only one. HDR simply, in the end, raises the shadows and lowers the speculars and thus lowing the contrast and micro-contrast (though cell phone lenses usually are pretty crappy in providing much micro-contrast) which makes the photograph look flat and more 2D. Also as you’ve rightly and smartly observed, hides some of the finer details (flattens the micro-contrast).
Photographers, usually, are very selective when PP their photos, to not open the shadows nor lower the speculars too much and are especially careful not to mash the micro-contrast. You’ll end up with a flat,2D looking photo otherwise and I see a lot of that on the various cell phone forums.

Great answer. Thanks. I turned it off and I'll use it when I really need to. Maybe one day I'll figure out how to use the "pro-mode." But for now, I don't think the camera needs MORE auto control.