Is High Dynamic Range Ruining Movies?

I’ve been watching a lot of old movies lately, and one thing that’s struck me is just how beautiful they are to look at. Sure, before digital cameras, it was crazy expensive to shoot a movie, but the colors, the angles, and the darkness are really something.

Lately, many movies just don’t have that classic cinematic look and feel anymore. I really am not sure I was ever able to articulate why this had changed, but then I saw a YouTube video that really blew my mind and opened me up to a possible explanation.

Let’s dive in.

High Dynamic Range Changed Cinema Forever 

I really dug this video and I felt like it opened my eyes (pun intended) to modern cinematography and why it all looks so different than before.

This video uses the 1998 film The Parent Trap as a starting point to discuss the shifts in modern cinematography. It theorizes that the new digital film cameras with High Dynamic Range (HDR) can capture incredible detail, but this capability doesn’t automatically translate to better-looking movies.

In fact, without intentional choices of how to light things or what to leave in the darkness, it can lead to a gray and boring aesthetic.

Because you can see in any light, unlike film, you lose out of the deep shadows, the black contrasts, and the juxtaposition of light and darkness.

When you combine this with the rise of Visual Effects (VFX), you get an over-reliance on “fixing it in post.” That means people are adding lights, brightening colors normally that would be dark, and taking away that level of grit and warmth that we love in those older films.

Still, you can use digital photography to make something that looks good.

All you have to do is pay attention to the following things…

• Contrast: Deliberate use of light and shadow creates depth and visual interest. Even films shot digitally, like Zodiac, achieve great contrast through smart choices, despite having less dynamic range than a modern smartphone.
• Intentional Production Design: The sets, costumes, and colors should all work together to create a specific look and feel.
• Smart Lighting: Lighting isn’t just about visibility; it’s about mood and focus.

Summing It Up 

I don’t want to get rid of HDR in cinematography; I just want more people to think about their choices and light intentionally, without relying on the post.

I love movies that have darkness and shadows, and you need that kind of stuff in all genres to set different moods and explore different themes.

Shooting with intention and thought will go a long way to making modern movies look better.

Let me know what you think in the comments.