By definition, High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging is a method used to capture a greater dynamic range between the darkest and lightest areas of an image.
Standard cameras take a single exposure with a limited range of contrast. Depending on the exposure setting, detail is typically lost in either the bright or dark areas of the picture. By increasing and decreasing your exposure settings (stops) and without moving the camera, capturing multiple exposures, you start down the road of capturing the shots you need to create an HDR image. There are many software packages out there that will ‘stitch’ your exposures together and help you to create the final image.
Below is an HDR image of the Hot Wheels Duster Thruster that was released in 2012. The image shown is a standard shot. If you hover your mouse over the image, you will see the HDR version.
