In this world of measuring how many “Ks” a camera has, aspiring cinematographers may not realize the importance of the dynamic range of a camera. Let us start with the definition.
What is dynamic range?
Dynamic Range is a way of describing the range of light intensities from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. It can be measured in Exposure Value (EV for short) or ‘stops’. Basically it is the measurement between maximum and minimum values, the difference between the whitest of whites and the blackest of blacks. Here is a diagram to explain:
Different cameras have different dynamic ranges. The sensor in your camera can only record up to a certain level of dynamic range. It is worth mentioning that recording in a RAW format vs a compressed format affects the amount of dynamic range captured. Just because you have a higher resolution camera, does not mean that your dynamic range will be higher or the end result will be more visually pleasing.
Dynamic Range shouldn’t be confused with contrast levels. Contrast can actually trick your eyes into thinking that you see more or less dynamic range. However, the dynamic range of the camera is measured by the ability to capture the light and shadows.
“SENSOR DYNAMIC RANGE IS NOT HDR…”
High dynamic range (HDR) imagery is a technique that many use to gain greater detail in the highlights and shadows of a scene using multiple exposures. Dynamic range of camera uses the amount of detail in the highlights and shadows in a single exposure.
Controlling Dynamic Range can be done to increase dynamic range through the use of graduated neutral density filters. For example, dealing with bright skies and dark foregrounds you can balance out the exposure of both with graduated ND filters. Unlike a regular ND filter, a graduated ND filter blocks out a varied range of light across its surface. These filters are usually used when shooting in a landscape scenario.
Changing your in-camera image settings can help give your footage more latitude. Usually turning down contrast will help keep more information in your image. You don’t want to shoot with a picture profile that crunches your blacks because that information is lost. You also want to nail your exposure and not blow out your highlights to retain that information as well. Once a look is baked in to the image, it’s impossible to recover the detail that is lost.