Bracketing

**jatrax** · 03-15-2015, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

It is tough to be certain that you will be able to get all you want out of a single exposure due to the high dynamic range of the image. Shooting multiple exposures allows for a couple of different options to get decently exposed shadow areas, while keeping the highlights in the sky.

+1 When taking landscapes, usually on a tripod, and fussing with filters and waiting for the exact right moment, why not bracket? It is just a setting in the camera and you spent 15 minutes or maybe several hours waiting for that shot. I cover myself all ways I can and that includes bracketing. Most times I pick the best and dump the rest, sometimes 2 or more get blended in photoshop, or maybe the image needs the full HDR route. Or sometimes I use more than one method to get a different look. Process one normally as best as possible and still go HDR on the set for a different look.

Racerdew · 03-15-2015, 02:56 PM

Well said Rondec, we bracket for safety and use the ones that work for us. Nice photo above and it is a good example of how bracketing with HDR can make a really nice photo without looking fake or over touched up.

Prakticant · 03-16-2015, 12:21 AM

Bracketing flash shots would be more needed than shots in ambient light.
Bracketing fill-in ratio, bracketing for flashed highlights (bride gown) / shadows (tie suit), bracketing for ambient highlights (sun) / shadows (indoor remote corners)

-----

Originally posted by Rondec

I don't use bracketing for shots where I use flash.

wildman · 03-18-2015, 05:06 AM

Originally posted by jayman_1975

Do many people use this regularly?

With a single RAW file off a modern sensor it's been my experience that bracketing is very rarely needed anymore if all you want is more DR.
Going beyond simple bracketing for increased DR to also do tone mapping is another issue all together..

1. Unprocessed RAW
2. After processing in Photoshop

Last edited by wildman; 03-19-2015 at 04:34 PM.

Racerdew · 03-18-2015, 11:21 PM

Very nice!

**rod_grant** · 03-18-2015, 11:46 PM

Originally posted by Racerdew

I really don't like the looks of the interior shots at all!!!

I agree with that 100%!

Na Horuk · 03-19-2015, 05:36 AM

Main reason why I don't do exposure bracketing is because then you end up with 5x or 3x as many photos. HD space, time to process,.. but I would recommend bracketing for those times when you need to get a shot with good exposure. Studio work, portraiture.. EV bracketing is another tool that can help

03-16-2015, 12:21 AM	#33
Prakticant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 274	How to exposure-bracket shots with flash? Bracketing flash shots would be more needed than shots in ambient light. Bracketing fill-in ratio, bracketing for flashed highlights (bride gown) / shadows (tie suit), bracketing for ambient highlights (sun) / shadows (indoor remote corners) ----- Originally posted by Rondec I don't use bracketing for shots where I use flash.

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03-15-2015, 10:21 AM	#31
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by Rondec It is tough to be certain that you will be able to get all you want out of a single exposure due to the high dynamic range of the image. Shooting multiple exposures allows for a couple of different options to get decently exposed shadow areas, while keeping the highlights in the sky. +1 When taking landscapes, usually on a tripod, and fussing with filters and waiting for the exact right moment, why not bracket? It is just a setting in the camera and you spent 15 minutes or maybe several hours waiting for that shot. I cover myself all ways I can and that includes bracketing. Most times I pick the best and dump the rest, sometimes 2 or more get blended in photoshop, or maybe the image needs the full HDR route. Or sometimes I use more than one method to get a different look. Process one normally as best as possible and still go HDR on the set for a different look.

03-15-2015, 02:56 PM	#32
Racerdew Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 285	Well said Rondec, we bracket for safety and use the ones that work for us. Nice photo above and it is a good example of how bracketing with HDR can make a really nice photo without looking fake or over touched up.

03-18-2015, 05:06 AM	#34
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by jayman_1975 Do many people use this regularly? With a single RAW file off a modern sensor it's been my experience that bracketing is very rarely needed anymore if all you want is more DR. Going beyond simple bracketing for increased DR to also do tone mapping is another issue all together.. 1. Unprocessed RAW 2. After processing in Photoshop Last edited by wildman; 03-19-2015 at 04:34 PM.

03-18-2015, 11:21 PM	#35
Racerdew Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 285	Very nice!

03-18-2015, 11:46 PM	#36
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by Racerdew I really don't like the looks of the interior shots at all!!! I agree with that 100%!

03-19-2015, 05:36 AM	#37
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Main reason why I don't do exposure bracketing is because then you end up with 5x or 3x as many photos. HD space, time to process,.. but I would recommend bracketing for those times when you need to get a shot with good exposure. Studio work, portraiture.. EV bracketing is another tool that can help