Where do you get your HDRIs from?

[jfharper]

I don't think I have the tools, time, or diverse enough environments to create my own, so I was wondering where you all get your HDRIs from? I'm just starting to do HDRI lighting, and would be OK with purchasing some. I do 3D animations for clients, probably would be looking for interior lighting, but perhaps having some exteriors to play around with too might be fun to try. Thanks.

 

Thought I'd get some recommendations here so I don't buy something with bad quality before realizing it. Thanks.

[Chris MacDonald]

Personally I really rate the ones from CG-Source and HDRI Locations

[jfharper]

Thanks, rate as in "good" correct? Not rate as a typo for hate?

[jfharper]

Also, are stops and backplates the same thing? Meaning, the higher the number the more range the image has?

[beestee]

Backplates are standard photos of the sky under the same conditions as was captured in the HDRi that can be used as a background in a rendering.

[Chris MacDonald]

Stops refers to the drynamic range of the HDRI (more = better).

 

Backplates (as above) are just standard JPEG's of the scene taken to add in as a high(er) resolution background than the HDRI. Generally, though not exclusively used in automotive shots.

[RyderSK]

The most important thing of HDRi when you want to use them solely for lighting ( for both direct & and indirect ) is dynamic range. 99perc. of the ones on market are clipped, because it's really, really damn hard to capture strong sources of light. You would need to shoot F11+ (and deal with difraction), have shutter which can do 1/8000, and still use a bunch of EV negative filters, and once again deal with issues in post.

 

Most photographers don't bother or aren't even aware, so their Suns are like 5-6 stops weaker than should be, so you get bland grey sun, and strong sky colorcast. Most people then change the gamma, which is completely odd once again, as you can get stronger and more unnatural color cast.

 

CG-Source maybe the only one I have tried who get quite good range on most. It's not perfect either.

[Jose Negrete]

What do you think of these?

 

http://noemotionhdrs.net/

[John Dollus]

http://www.pg-skies.net/

 

peters are pretty good

[philippelamoureux]

I was using the free hdri on http://noemotionhdrs.net/ but I have to agree with Juraj, after testing the cg-source ones, they're much better quality!

[TomD_Arch]

So I have gone from one end of the spectrum to the other on HDRI files. I've tried the free ones people offer. I've tried the Vizpark ones. and finally, out of curiosity I bought one from Peter Guthrie's website. Wow! I bought a second Peter Guthrie. Wow! And, a third! Wow! I can work with the Vizpark ones and get something going with them. But if you are losing faith int he ability of HDRI lighting buy a Peter Guthrie, use it. Now I want to know for those of you that understand what I am talking about, is anyone else making HDRI like Peter's? I'm wondering about CG-Source?