[Edge]

Actually, HDR also compensates for excessive light from one source by darkening everything else. Like if a camera is facing a wall, and then turns to look at a light source, that exact wall will appear darker. The effect looks best in motion: when you step outside of a dark cave you're momentarilly blinded because the sun is so bright, and your vision slowly adjusts to the sudden change in brightness. It works the same way a camera or your own eyes do, and really adds a nice bit of realism to the mix. I consider the light bloom to be more of a secondary effect.