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HDR stands for ‘high dynamic range’, and is a photographic technique that enables you to capture a greater range of luminosity in the scene. It works by taking three or more separate exposures of the same scene that expose for the shadows, highlights and midtones.

Old classic cars are a great candidate for the HDR treatment, and they are such a pleasure to photograph with their lovely curves and iconic features. When you are trying to find the right model, there are a few key features that help enhance the HDR effect. The first is rust, as rusty cars create a even better result. For our photoshoot, we used an old Triumph Herald Convertible as our star, which is packed full of character. The next key aspect to consider is the right background. We were lucky enough to have a selection of old classic cars at our fingertips in a scrapyard setting, which gave us many different options to play around with. Look for textures in the background (such as mossy faded cladding or another old vehicle, as in our example) and objects of interest to bring that extra layer to your frame. Avoid showing any new cars in the background, as they will detract from the appeal of your classic subject. When it comes to trying this technique for yourself, the only items you need to accompany your camera are a tripod, to keep the camera still throughout all your exposures, and a wide-angle lens. You will also need some sort of photo processing software to merge your final images together and create the HDR effect. We used Photoshop for this project, but there are several alternatives that are specifically designed to process only HDR effects, such as Photomatix Pro and Essentials, and EasyHDR.

Camera on a tripod 1

To take three separate exposures of the same subject, you’ll need to set your camera up on a tripod. We found it easier to experiment with compositions without having our camera attached; this meant we could be faster and more agile. After reviewing our shots, we then connected our camera to a tripod to take three separate exposures of the best composition.

Bracket exposing 2

Bracket exposing is simply taking three shots of the same scene at different exposure settings. We used Aperture Priority mode and set our aperture to f/8, ISO 100 (as we were shooting on a sunny day). Take the first shot with the camera giving an average reading, then use the exposure compensation button to take one shot a stop over (+1), and another a stop under (-1).

Go wide 3

We used a wide-angle 15-30mm lens, which enabled us to fit the whole car easily into the frame. Be careful not to get too close to your vehicle, as this kind of lens makes close-up objects appear to bend and distort. If you do encounter distortion on a smaller scale, you can fix it in postproduction, but it’s easier to look out for this issue while shooting.