Is High Dynamic Range Ruining Movies?

High Dynamic Range Changed Cinema Forever 

I really dug this video and I felt like it opened my eyes (pun intended) to modern cinematography and why it all looks so different than before.

This video uses the 1998 film The Parent Trap as a starting point to discuss cinematography.

I mean Dean Cundey shot The Parent Trap, and also filmed Halloween, Jurassic Park, and Apollo 13. All those movies have distinct looks and feels that mirror the tones of each of those movies and take us deep into the story.

But they were all shot on film.

When modern cinematography began to shift to digital, things were still shot with a lot of contrast and mimicked film.

The Wolverine (2013) and Drive (2011) are notable examples of good cinematography achieved with early digital cinema cameras.

But it seems like everything changed when the new digital film cameras with High Dynamic Range (HDR) debuted.

They can capture incredible detail, but this capability doesn't automatically translate to better-looking movies.

I want to unpack this argument a little more.

What Is High Dynamic Range?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is the capability of capturing a greater range between the brightest and darkest parts of an image compared to traditional standards.

In video, HDR technology aims to create more realistic and detailed images by increasing the contrast ratio (the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks) and often expanding the range of colors (Wide Color Gamut).

This allows viewers to see more detail in both very dark and very bright areas of the picture simultaneously, closer to how the human eye perceives the real world.

HDR and Cinematographers

Like we said in the definition, HDR provides filmmakers with a wider range of brightness and color to work with.

This allows for more nuanced and potentially more immersive storytelling—for example, genuinely conveying the feeling of stepping from bright sunlight into a dark room.

It enables the display of specular highlights (like reflections or intense lights) with realism.

But like they said in Spider-Man, with great power comes great responsibility.

If everything is super bright and we can pick up images in almost all low light, we tend to lose out on contrast, and thing can get dull and grey.

There can be pressure from studios to make HDR images "pop" with extreme brightness and saturation, even if it doesn't serve the story or the cinematographer's vision.

This misuse, rather than the technology itself, can lead to visuals that feel unnatural or that feel too bright in dark places. It can also make people on set lazy, because you can manipulate everything in post.

The ability to so easily brighten images and the increased reliance on visual effects (VFX) can potentially lead to less commitment to on-set lighting and visual choices.

And without that meticulous planning...some movies and TV shows have a homogenous look that doesn't stand out.

Intentional Choices Matter

Ultimately, like any filmmaking technology, HDR's impact depends on how it's used. It doesn't inherently dictate a certain look.

Filmmakers still can choose to push the extremes or use it subtly to enhance detail.

But as we bemoan everything on Netflix looking the same, you can see how HDR and its abilities can create an environment where visuals go wrong.

When you combine this with the rise of Visual Effects (VFX), you get an over-reliance on "fixing it in post." That means people are adding lights, brightening colors normally that would be dark, and taking away that level of grit and warmth that we love in those older films.

I mean, can you imagine a teen comedy looking as good as Superbad did in 2007 today? But that movie was shot with purpose, and its great contrast, production design, and wardrobe all contribute to why it looks so sumptuous now.

We can't expect every movie to have that level of care, but it would be nice if it didn't feel like a rare occurrence.

How Can You Avoid These Pitfalls?

At the end of the day, it all comes down to the responsibility of the filmmaker to be meticulous with their visuals and to find a look that suits their project.

You can use digital cameras to make something that looks good. All you have to do is pay attention to the following things...

• Contrast: Deliberate use of light and shadow creates depth and visual interest. Even films shot digitally, like Zodiac, achieve great contrast through smart choices, despite having less dynamic range than a modern smartphone.
• Intentional Production Design: The sets, costumes, and colors should all work together to create a specific look and feel.
• Smart Lighting: Lighting isn't just about visibility; it's about mood and focus.

Summing It Up 

I don't want to get rid of HDR in cinematography; I just want more people to think about their choices and light intentionally, without relying on the post.

I love movies that have darkness and shadows, and you need that kind of stuff in all genres to set different moods and explore different themes.

Shooting with intention and thought will go a long way to making modern movies look better.