New Google Ultra HDR image format demonstrated as 'future of photography'

Android Police and Mishaal Rahman have demonstrated Ultra HDR, Google's new image format. Described by the former as the 'future of photography', Ultra HDR images are effectively standard JPGs with embedded HDR gain maps. As such, Ultra HDR images are backwards compatible with the standard JPG format. Theoretically, Ultra HDR images should look more natural than conventional HDR processed images because they omit the same level of tone mapping. 

However, the benefits of Ultra HDR will only be viewable on supported devices with an HDR display. For example, the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro or recent MacBook Air and MacBook Pro machines should be compatible with Ultra HDR images. Unfortunately, content management systems (CMS) on which websites rely, compress images and remove HDR gain map data. As Rahman explains on Twitter, Windows File Explorer can also mess with Ultra HDR images.

As a result, the images embedded below may not look any different than regular JPGs. When Ultra HDR images are shown correctly, brighter elements of a scene should pop in a way that tone mapping cannot replicate, such as the sun poking through from behind clouds or trees. For now, it is only possible to shoot in Ultra HDR with the latest version of the Google Camera app and on the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro. With that being said, it is possible to get Ultra HDR working on older Pixel smartphones, provided you are comfortable with modifying APKs and rooting devices.

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