What does the term "dynamic range" refer to in photography?

The term "dynamic range" in photography refers to the range of brightness levels that a camera can capture, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. This characteristic is crucial for photographers, as it determines how well the camera can capture detail in both extreme lighting conditions. A greater dynamic range allows for more details to be preserved in highlights and shadows, resulting in images that more accurately represent the wide range of tones found in real-life scenes.

In practical terms, if a camera has a wide dynamic range, it can handle high-contrast scenes more effectively, capturing details that might otherwise be lost in overexposed highlights or underexposed shadows. This is particularly important in scenarios such as landscape photography where both bright skies and dark foregrounds are present. Hence, understanding and utilizing dynamic range can greatly enhance the quality and depth of photographs.