From Grok:

High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography captures a greater range of brightness levels than a single exposure allows, mimicking how the human eye sees high-contrast scenes (e.g., bright skies and dark shadows).

How It Works

1. Shoot bracketed exposures: Take multiple photos (usually 3–9) of the same scene at different exposures (under-, normal-, and over-exposed) using a tripod.

2. Merge: Combine them into a single 32-bit HDR image using software (e.g., Photoshop, Lightroom, Photomatix).

3. Tone map: Compress the wide dynamic range into a viewable format (e.g., JPEG), adjusting contrast and details for a natural or artistic look.

Benefits

- Reveals details in highlights and shadows.

- Ideal for landscapes, sunsets, interiors, and architecture.

Common Issues

- Overprocessing creates unnatural halos, oversaturation, or "grungy" effects (common in early HDR).

- Modern practice favors subtle, realistic results.

When to Use

High-contrast scenes; avoid for moving subjects (ghosting) or low-contrast lighting.

With improving camera sensors, single-shot HDR modes are common, but multi-exposure bracketing remains best for extreme dynamic range.