Exposure Bracketing - Best Single Photo

This week I want to start a discussion on exposure bracketing. As jewelry photographers we have a choose of 3 different types of photographic techniques we can use in our approach to the piece we are going to photograph. These are Low Dynamic Range(LDR), Medium Dynamic Range(MDR) and High Dynamic Range(HDR). LDR is a single exposure no matter what type of camera is used; Digicamera, D-SLR, Medium Format or Large Format. MDR and HDR are techniques for combining multiple exposures for decreased noise and increased detail and dynamic range. I will be discussing LDR this week.

In a LDR photo we try to get the best detail and contrast in the one photo as we can. We achieve this by a technique called exposure bracketing. Over at talbletopstudio they have an article that shows you the technique and a series of photos showing the results of exposure bracketing. While they are talking about a white background this technique can be used with any background. The object is to find the shot with the best detail and contrast. While they go from -2 to +2, in my experience if you go from -1/3, -2/3, -1 and +1/3, +2/3, +1 that should be enough.

To use this technique, it is best to have a camera that lets you set exposure compensation as an on-camera control instead of from the menu. All D-SLR and Medium Format cameras let you do this. When buying a Digicamera check to make sure it will let you do this. If it does not, check and see if it will auto bracket exposures. It will take you a little longer because you have to set the camera for -1/3,0,+1/3 for set 1 and -2/3,0,+2/3 for set 2 and -1,0,+1 for set 3. You will also need a tripod to keep the camera still. If you own a D-SLR or Medium Format camera buy a cable(remote) release for the camera. If you do not have a cable(remote) release, use the self-timer when taking this series of exposures. The self-timer or cable release plus a tripod will keep camera movement to a minimum. The combination of self-timer or cable(remote) release plus tripod is a good photography technique to learn, because it becomes a necessity for MDR and HDR work.