.HDR File Extension

An HDR file is an image or electronic photograph saved in the High Dynamic Range (HDR) HDR image format. It is used to improve a digital image's color range and brightness. These files can also be processed to remove the image's dark shadows or blurry areas.

HDR files are often created in photo editing software to enhance digital photos, which can then be resized into smaller files that are easy to share and download. The HDR format can store pictures with absolutely any exposure to create a single image with a broad and somewhat widespread mixing of color ranges.

More information

In 1986, Gregory Ward invented the HDRI format for Radiance, his lighting simulation software. But many of the features and functions of this file that are known and relevant today were introduced in 2005 with the "Merge to HDR" feature in Photoshop. This new feature made it possible to obtain a tonal representation of an HDR file when the dynamic range of the photo or screen is limited. A tone card is a combination of several photos taken at different exposures. Images with a pixel size greater than 8 bits are sometimes referred to as HDRI - as opposed to LDRI (short for low dynamic range images), particularly JPEG and PNG, which are less than 8 bits.

HDR files can be opened with ACD Systems Canvas, Adobe Photoshop, HDRSoft Photomatix, and probably some other famous photo and graphics tools. You may also have luck with the online viewer at OpenHDR if you want to open it online or RenderStuff.