jmahto Posted April 12, 2017 Share #1 Posted April 12, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I will be frank. I have never used the exposure bracketing. I always expose for the highlight and lift shadows. Although you get noise in the shadows, it is quick and painless. Most of the times the shadow noise doesn't even show up in print. However, I recently tried combining multiple exposure bracketed shots for HDR and got good results. I also found that "auto" bracketing is very useful. It rattles off multiple exposures by the single shutter press. Now it is one of my user preference. I was wondering whether anyone uses this routinely. (Posting in M240 since HDR is very much sensor capability related). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 12, 2017 Posted April 12, 2017 Hi jmahto, Take a look here Does anyone uses exposure bracketing for HDR. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Shane Guthrie Posted April 13, 2017 Share #2 Posted April 13, 2017 Thanks for the ideas. I haven't used it, and considering a recent image that I'm now having problems editing, this is what I could consider. How quick are the multiple exposures? What kind of moving object do you think it would be fast enough for? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted April 13, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted April 13, 2017 (edited) Thanks for the ideas. I haven't used it, and considering a recent image that I'm now having problems editing, this is what I could consider. How quick are the multiple exposures? What kind of moving object do you think it would be fast enough for? The multiple exposures go as fast as camera can fire. However, object movements will spoil it. I would use it for static scenes with very high DR. I experimented with various settings and 5 shots with (-4,-2,0,+2,+4) worked for me to cover a really difficult scene (sunlit outdoors and shady indoors). After that I simply used Photoshops merge to HDR feature, converting it to 32bit and then adjusted gamma and exposure to get a very flat looking file saved as 16bit. Further tweaking was done in LR. Result was similar to shadow lift without any shadow noise. Edited April 13, 2017 by jmahto 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soden Posted April 13, 2017 Share #4 Posted April 13, 2017 HDR? If my memory serves me that was a fad back in about 2008. When sensors had poor dynamic range. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 13, 2017 Share #5 Posted April 13, 2017 (edited) . I experimented with various settings and 5 shots with (-4,-2,0,+2,+4) worked for me to cover a really difficult scene (sunlit outdoors and shady indoors). But that is how HDR is done and has always been done, a sequence of shots that are a set ratio of exposure apart, unless I have mistaken what you said? If a camera has an HDR setting it simply takes a sequence of bracketed exposures and combines them in camera. But it is simply an extension of the photographer using bracketed exposures to choose the single best exposure, and instead combining them all manually or with software to create an HDR image. So the answer to your question 'does anybody use exposure bracketing for HDR?' is yes they do and always have ever since the fad became popular. Edited April 13, 2017 by 250swb Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soden Posted April 13, 2017 Share #6 Posted April 13, 2017 Isn't the setting in the M called exposure bracketing? Introduced in the M8.2 but trickled down to the M8 in later firmware. Kind of the velvet painting of the digital world. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted April 13, 2017 Share #7 Posted April 13, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use exposure bracketing to make HDR images. It's great for architectural/property photography. HDR allows one to see a view, in addition to an interior. I shoot a 5 shot bracket and combine images out of camera. HDR has a bad reputation because many users go overboard with the effects, and the shot is easily seen as HDR. The trick is to use HDR commercially without it being seen. HDR is a tool. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted April 13, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted April 13, 2017 (edited) But that is how HDR is done and has always been done, a sequence of shots that are a set ratio of exposure apart, unless I have mistaken what you said? If a camera has an HDR setting it simply takes a sequence of bracketed exposures and combines them in camera. But it is simply an extension of the photographer using bracketed exposures to choose the single best exposure, and instead combining them all manually or with software to create an HDR image. So the answer to your question 'does anybody use exposure bracketing for HDR?' is yes they do and always have ever since the fad became popular.Yes. I have used exposure bracketing before without using the auto bracketing feature. I simply point the camera to sky (or a different brightness area), lock the exposure and shoot in order to avoid clipping highlights. First time I am trying out the auto bracketing. And my reference to HDR was not for the cartoonish looking photos but simply a tool for normal looking photos that have huge DR. An example is interior of the room with view outside window without using supplemental light. Edited April 13, 2017 by jmahto Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Guthrie Posted April 17, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 17, 2017 Yes. I have used exposure bracketing before without using the auto bracketing feature. I simply point the camera to sky (or a different brightness area), lock the exposure and shoot in order to avoid clipping highlights. First time I am trying out the auto bracketing. And my reference to HDR was not for the cartoonish looking photos but simply a tool for normal looking photos that have huge DR. An example is interior of the room with view outside window without using supplemental light. The multiple exposures go as fast as camera can fire. However, object movements will spoil it. I would use it for static scenes with very high DR. I experimented with various settings and 5 shots with (-4,-2,0,+2,+4) worked for me to cover a really difficult scene (sunlit outdoors and shady indoors). After that I simply used Photoshops merge to HDR feature, converting it to 32bit and then adjusted gamma and exposure to get a very flat looking file saved as 16bit. Further tweaking was done in LR. Result was similar to shadow lift without any shadow noise. Thanks Jayant; that's helpful I'll try the five shot method suggested here. I haven't learnt about using 32 bit and adjusted gamma; new things for me to try Much appreciated Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted April 18, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 18, 2017 For still shots on a tripod, worth a try. I also shoot for highlights and get noise in the blacks when the DR is very wide. I use curves in PS to fill them in Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailwagger Posted April 18, 2017 Share #11 Posted April 18, 2017 (edited) I will be frank. I have never used the exposure bracketing. I always expose for the highlight and lift shadows. Although you get noise in the shadows, it is quick and painless. Most of the times the shadow noise doesn't even show up in print. However, I recently tried combining multiple exposure bracketed shots for HDR and got good results. I also found that "auto" bracketing is very useful. It rattles off multiple exposures by the single shutter press. Now it is one of my user preference. I was wondering whether anyone uses this routinely. (Posting in M240 since HDR is very much sensor capability related). Not with the M, but with the 645Z which is pretty much always on a tripod, I bracket constantly. Rarely, if ever, for HDR, but I've found its very valuable in difficult, high DR scenes to have options around which exposure to choose as the starting point for processing. Edited April 18, 2017 by Tailwagger Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ru2far2c Posted April 19, 2017 Share #12 Posted April 19, 2017 There are some new programs out there for HDR other than PS, that are much better at rendering images, so they don't look like an Elvis velvet painting. I have not tried doing any HDR with my 240's. I have tried with some success using my Fuji X T-1's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencoyote Posted May 5, 2017 Share #13 Posted May 5, 2017 I use it from time to time when I can't quite encompass the whole DR in one exposure. The case that comes to mind is deep in the forest on a sunny day when I want blue sky and detail in trees. It is more work and so I do it as a last resort. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdk Posted May 5, 2017 Share #14 Posted May 5, 2017 Lightroom CC does a good job on HDR processing for urban night images, so long as you don't go with the automatic tonality, which makes pictures look very weird in my opinion. Tripod is a must for such HDR shooting, but the results with my M-P were very impressive. Showed some at the Art Complex Museum in MA in a group show last year, and they were well liked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanP Posted May 8, 2017 Share #15 Posted May 8, 2017 Yes, I use it quite a bit. I typically will use a 3 shot bracket with 2 exposure difference between. Sometimes, I will use just 2 exposures and use photoshop for exposure blending rather than traditional HDR. This is especially helpful when exposing for the sky and using another exposure for the foreground. I've lately started using more luminosity masking. Nothing very complex but some simple brightness/contrast luminosity makes a huge difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotofool Posted May 8, 2017 Share #16 Posted May 8, 2017 Frequently. Sunrise over Skyway by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Tombi HDR by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Chile Austral by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Storm Over Detroit by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 8, 2017 Author Share #17 Posted May 8, 2017 Frequently. Sunrise over Skyway by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Tombi HDR by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Chile Austral by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Storm Over Detroit by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Beautiful gallery. It looks so natural. Not like overdone HDR. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangefinder Posted May 19, 2017 Share #18 Posted May 19, 2017 Frequently. Sunrise over Skyway by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Tombi HDR by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Chile Austral by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Storm Over Detroit by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse by Jeff Parsons, on Flickr Very nice work, fotofool! I'm envious of your talent. Mike 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted May 20, 2017 Share #19 Posted May 20, 2017 Exposure bracket and HDR is beautiful IF you can not tell it was HDR. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share #20 Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) Well, after I wrote my first post, I have started using 7 bracketing shots in difficult light conditions. I have found that they are great help in getting exposure right. I haven't used it for HDR though. Now I have a user preference that pins ISO to 200 and enables 7 bracketed shots spreading -6 to +6. There is no way I can get the exposure wrong. I shot this sunrise today. On a side note I was surprised to get a sunstar from my 90mm macro-elmar-M @f22. There was no flare or ghosting. Love this lens. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited May 22, 2017 by jmahto Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/271318-does-anyone-uses-exposure-bracketing-for-hdr/?do=findComment&comment=3279893'>More sharing options...
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