Transitioning to Technically Correct HDR Conversions: A More Authentic Approach
As I move forward with my HDR workflows, I've noticed that most of my SDR to HDR conversions are ending up very bright—often hitting 1000 nits or even more. While this can make the image eye-catching and contrasty, it’s not really the ideal approach from a technical standpoint.
According to SMPTE guidelines, the white-diffuse value—the point at which most of the image content should fall—is 203 nits. This range is where the majority of your shot should reside, with anything higher (up to 10000 nits) reserved for specular highlights like explosions, the sun, reflections, or sparkles. By keeping the main parts of the shot within the 203 nits range, you're adhering to the way HDR was intended to be used.
Many filmmakers—Christopher Nolan’s films like Dunkirk, Oppenheimer, and Tenet being prime examples—are already embracing this approach. They keep their images close to that 203 nits mark, with highlights reserved for specific moments, even though it might feel a bit dim to some. This is actually a more authentic way of doing HDR, particularly when the source material doesn't have much dynamic range, like in SDR footage.
Starting in the latter half of 2025, I plan to make this transition myself. Moving to a 203 nits HDR conversion standard will not only make the grades more technically accurate and true to the source material but also make it easier for low-end TVs to display the content without highlight clipping. I recognize that this might feel a bit less "punchy" compared to the typical high-brightness HDR, but I believe it will bring a more balanced, cinematic experience—one that prioritizes detail and color fidelity over extreme contrast.
This isn’t just about following guidelines—it's about creating something that feels right and true to the artistic intent of HDR, while also making sure it’s accessible to more people, regardless of their display. Over time, I hope more filmmakers and content creators embrace this approach, as it offers a more sustainable way to use HDR without overblowing highlights that viewers may not even be able to fully appreciate.
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Transitioning to Technically Correct HDR Conversions: A More Authentic Approach
As I move forward with my HDR workflows, I've noticed that most of my SDR to HDR conversions are ending up very bright—often hitting 1000 nits or even more. While this can make the image eye-catching and contrasty, it’s not really the ideal approach from a technical standpoint.
According to SMPTE guidelines, the white-diffuse value—the point at which most of the image content should fall—is 203 nits. This range is where the majority of your shot should reside, with anything higher (up to 10000 nits) reserved for specular highlights like explosions, the sun, reflections, or sparkles. By keeping the main parts of the shot within the 203 nits range, you're adhering to the way HDR was intended to be used.
Many filmmakers—Christopher Nolan’s films like Dunkirk, Oppenheimer, and Tenet being prime examples—are already embracing this approach. They keep their images close to that 203 nits mark, with highlights reserved for specific moments, even though it might feel a bit dim to some. This is actually a more authentic way of doing HDR, particularly when the source material doesn't have much dynamic range, like in SDR footage.
Starting in the latter half of 2025, I plan to make this transition myself. Moving to a 203 nits HDR conversion standard will not only make the grades more technically accurate and true to the source material but also make it easier for low-end TVs to display the content without highlight clipping. I recognize that this might feel a bit less "punchy" compared to the typical high-brightness HDR, but I believe it will bring a more balanced, cinematic experience—one that prioritizes detail and color fidelity over extreme contrast.
This isn’t just about following guidelines—it's about creating something that feels right and true to the artistic intent of HDR, while also making sure it’s accessible to more people, regardless of their display. Over time, I hope more filmmakers and content creators embrace this approach, as it offers a more sustainable way to use HDR without overblowing highlights that viewers may not even be able to fully appreciate.
Looking forward to hearing thoughts on this!
6 months ago | [YT] | 46