High dynamic range cinematography
// bachelor thesis, 2020
Description: The constant changes and improvements in technology behind filmmaking are demanding filmmakers repeatedly to adjust their working habits to new standards. As the display
technology is evolving, displays get better and better, resulting in High Dynamic Range (HDR) Displays now making their appearance in more living rooms, claiming the market on the consumer side. Being able to produce brighter whites and darker blacks as well as more vivid colors than conventional Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) displays did, these TVs change the perception of moving images on screen by enabling the viewer
to see more realistic pictures than before. By realising an exemplary project in HDR
creating non fictional low light scenes, this thesis provides a look at the possibilities and
challenges HDR entails from a cinematographers and colorists point of view. Therefore, not only technical aspects are taken into account but the created scenes are also evaluated concerning visual factors thus working towards providing guidance to fellow filmmakers starting off with HDR by sharing experiences and naming factors essential to be aware of when making creative choices for HDR delivery.