> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.topazlabs.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.topazlabs.com/image-models/color-and-lighting/image-hdr.md). # Image HDR Intelligent SDR-to-HDR conversion for photos and images, delivering expanded dynamic range and more lifelike brightness on HDR-capable monitors and mobile devices.
Cover image
Click to viewImageHDR_pexels-samime-eroglu-852630836-34190394_slider.jpghttps://compare.topazlabs.com/share/image?src1=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fpexels-samime-eroglu-852630836-34190394%20copy.jpg&src1label=Before&src2=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fpexels-samime-eroglu-852630836-34190394-hdr-image-testing.jpg&src2label=After&zoom=1
Click to viewImageHDR_pexels-alexandra-karnasopoulos-1962842-3680319_slider.jpghttps://compare.topazlabs.com/share/image?src1=https://downloads.topazlabs.com/web-assets/model-examples/pexels-alexandra-karnasopoulos-1962842-3680319%20copy.jpg&src1label=Before&src2=https://downloads.topazlabs.com/web-assets/model-examples/pexels-alexandra-karnasopoulos-1962842-3680319-hdr-image-testing.jpg&src2label=After&zoom=1
Click to viewImageHDR_pexels-pixabay-60628_slider.jpghttps://compare.topazlabs.com/share/image?src1=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fpexels-pixabay-60628%20copy.jpg&src1label=Before&src2=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fpexels-pixabay-60628-hdr-image-testing.jpg&src2label=After&zoom=1
Click to viewImageHDR_pexels-thilina-alagiyawanna-3266092-30373052_slider.jpghttps://compare.topazlabs.com/share/image?src1=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fpexels-thilina-alagiyawanna-3266092-30373052%20copy.jpg&src1label=Before&src2=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fpexels-thilina-alagiyawanna-3266092-30373052-hdr-image-testing.jpg&src2label=After&zoom=1
{% hint style="info" %} HDR enhancements are only visible on HDR-capable displays. On standard SDR screens, the image will appear unchanged. {% endhint %} ### Model Overview **Image HDR** automatically transforms standard dynamic range (SDR) images into HDR images with brighter highlights, expanded dynamic range, and more lifelike contrast. Designed for modern HDR-capable displays, the model enhances the visual impact of everyday photos without changing their original content. Using AI, Image HDR predicts how an SDR photograph would appear in HDR and generates a gain map to expand its dynamic range. Unlike traditional image adjustments, this non-destructive approach preserves the original photograph while adding HDR information for greater brightness and tonal depth. The entire process is automatic, with no parameters or manual adjustments. ### Key Capabilities * **Automatic SDR-to-HDR conversion:** Expands the dynamic range of standard photographs in a single step, with no manual adjustments. * **Non-destructive enhancement:** Uses an AI-generated gain map to add HDR information without altering the original image content. * **Enhanced HDR appearance:** Delivers brighter highlights, greater tonal range, and more lifelike contrast on HDR-capable displays. * **JPEG HDR output:** Creates JPEG HDR images with embedded gain maps, supporting the ISO 21496-1 standard for compatibility with Google Ultra HDR and Apple Adaptive HDR. ### Endpoint `https://api.topazlabs.com/image/v1/lighting/async` ### Model Parameters | Parameter | Type | Required / Default | Accepted values | Description | | --------- | -------- | ------------------ | --------------- | ----------- | | `model` | `string` | Required | `"ImageHDR"` | — | For request parameters shared by every image endpoint, see [Request Parameters](/getting-started/request-parameters/image.md). The full schema is also available in our [API Reference](https://developer.topazlabs.com/reference/) page. ### Model Pricing **Image HDR** costs 1 credit per every 4 MP of generated output. The below table includes a list of common output resolutions with associated credit costs. | Resolution | Typical Source | Output MP | Credits | | ---------- | -------------------- | --------- | ------- | | 640×480 | VGA | 0.31 | 1 | | 1280×720 | 720p | 0.92 | 1 | | 1920×1080 | 1080p | 2.07 | 1 | | 2560×1440 | 1440p | 3.69 | 1 | | 3840×2160 | 4K UHD | 8.29 | 3 | | 4000×3000 | 12 MP phone | 12.00 | 3 | | 5472×3648 | 20 MP camera | 19.96 | 5 | | 6000×4000 | 24 MP camera | 24.00 | 6 | | 7680×4320 | 8K UHD | 33.18 | 9 | | 7952×5304 | 42 MP camera | 42.18 | 11 | | 8192×5464 | 45 MP camera | 44.76 | 12 | | 9504×6336 | 61 MP camera | 60.22 | 16 | | 11648×8736 | 100 MP medium format | 101.76 | 26 | | Output MP | 1 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 | | --------- | - | - | - | -- | -- | -- | -- | | Credits | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | {% hint style="info" %} For more accurate credit cost estimates, we recommend using our [Credit Calculator](https://developer.topazlabs.com/credit-calculator). {% endhint %} ### Example Request {% tabs %} {% tab title="cURL" %} ```bash curl -X POST "https://api.topazlabs.com/image/v1/lighting/async" \ -H "X-API-Key: $TOPAZ_API_KEY" \ -F "image=@photo.jpg" \ -F "model=ImageHDR" ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="JavaScript" %} ```javascript import fs from 'fs'; import FormData from 'form-data'; const form = new FormData(); form.append("image", fs.createReadStream("photo.jpg")); form.append("model", "ImageHDR"); const response = await fetch("https://api.topazlabs.com/image/v1/lighting/async", { method: 'POST', headers: { 'X-API-Key': process.env.TOPAZ_API_KEY, ...form.getHeaders(), }, body: form, }); if (!response.ok) { throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status} ${await response.text()}`); } console.log(await response.json()); ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Python" %} ```python import os import requests with open("photo.jpg", "rb") as image: response = requests.post( "https://api.topazlabs.com/image/v1/lighting/async", headers={"X-API-Key": os.environ["TOPAZ_API_KEY"]}, files={"image": image}, data={ "model": "ImageHDR" }, ) response.raise_for_status() print(response.json()) ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ### Limitations This model accepts up to 256 MP input and output. ### Helpful Resources
:play:

Image Quickstart

Quickly get started with our Image API.
:codepen:

Model Playground

Test and create with our models.https://playground.topazlabs.com/
:square-root-variable:

Credit Calculator

Pricing for specific outputs, batches, and more.
--- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://developer.topazlabs.com/image-models/color-and-lighting/image-hdr.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.