The Difference between 360° HDR and Tonemapped 360° Photos: Explained Simply

360° HDR (High Dynamic Range) and tone-mapped 360° photos are two different approaches to capturing and representing the lighting in a 360-degree image. Here's a simple explanation of the difference between the two:

360° HDR photos are most suitable for use as lighting for 3D objects. They capture a wide range of brightness, preserving details in both the brightest and darkest areas. With HDR, you can accurately reproduce the nuances of light and dark, creating realistic and dynamic lighting effects when placed upon 3D objects.

Tonemapped 360° photos, on the other hand, are visually more appealing and are commonly used as background images for interactive scenes. Tonemapping adjusts the brightness and contrast of the image, enhancing the overall visual impact and making it more pleasing to the eye. These photos are often used to create captivating and immersive environments.

It's worth noting that a tone-mapped 360° photo can be created from an HDR or EXR image. However, the reverse process is not possible. This is because the HDR/EXR format carries over 30 f-stops, which represent the highest and lowest nuances of light and dark in a scene. During the tone mapping process, some of these nuanced details are lost to create a visually appealing result.

In summary, 360° HDR photos are ideal for lighting 3D objects, capturing the full range of brightness and preserving details. Tonemapped 360° photos, on the other hand, are visually appealing and often used as background images for scenes. It's important to note that while tonemapped photos can be created from HDR/EXR images, the reverse process is not possible, as tonemapping loses some of the nuanced details present in HDR/EXR files. Both approaches have their unique uses and contribute to the creation of stunning and immersive visual experiences.