Is this bracketing?

Astraeus

Astraeus

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Ciaran
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/4593733391_2ac3b54a34.jpg

[Staff Edit: Image changed to a link as not owned by OP]

Sunset over the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan, New York City by andrew mace—, on Flickr

On this photo (and many others I've seen on Flickr), people talk about using three different exposures and then merging them. This, I believe, is HDR. However, this photographer talks about "bracketing exposures". What is this technique? I am wanting to know how I can catch this much colour and detail in the foreground, background and middleground. :shrug:
 
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Bracketing just refers to getting the shots (usually 3) at different exposure levels. For example:

-2 stops, 0, +2 stops

The '0' is the normal exposure, the 2 next to it are the (brackets). These shots when merged together give a greater dynamic range, or if done badly, some nasty, nasty results :D
 
It's merged exposures, using bracketing to get the differing exposures, its a much softer effect than standard HDR though it is a similar technique
 
Your camera has a setting AEB(Auto Exposure Bracketing) well thats what its called on a canon, that takes 3 different exposures -2,0,+2, then you blend them in software most common used is Photomatix or PS
 
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HDR is one technique, a related one is DRI (aka blending).
 
Thanks guys. Dave, I don't think the D40 has that function but I'll go into the destruction manual to check! So it's as simple as setting up the shot (on a tripod, I presume) and then changing the exposure compensation to +2 and -2, taking shots at each point?
 
Yes but use aperture priority and select your chosen aperture letting the camera choose the shutter speed (on a tripod)

If you use shutter priority the camera will use 3 different aperture settings and the DOF will be different on each shot :thumbs:
 
Astraeus said:
Thanks guys. Dave, I don't think the D40 has that function but I'll go into the destruction manual to check! So it's as simple as setting up the shot (on a tripod, I presume) and then changing the exposure compensation to +2 and -2, taking shots at each point?
Click to expand...

If it is not built into a menu, it still has the function, just take 3 exposures manually.
 
Janice said:
Yes but use aperture priority and select your chosen aperture letting the camera choose the shutter speed (on a tripod)

If you use shutter priority the camera will use 3 different aperture settings and the DOF will be different on each shot :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Brilliant, thanks. I shoot on aperture priority most times anyway. :thumbs:
 
Just to clarify:

Bracketing refers to taking several shots of the same subject where the only difference is the exposure, used a lot in film days to ensure that you got a good shot. Sometimes the "incorrect" exposure gave the best image.

With digital it can still be used solely for that but it is often used to get several images which are blended together on the computer.
 
From a noob lurking and learning, cheers, I had never even heard about this never mind knowing what it was.
 
That's what you're here for! And to be honest... that's what WE'RE here for too...to help! :thumbs:
 
Just to point out that it is not just Exposure you can Bracket with, you can also Bracket the Flash, Ambient Exposure and Flash and White Balance as well on some cameras. :)
 
redhed17 said:
Just to point out that it is not just Exposure you can Bracket with, you can also Bracket the Flash, Ambient Exposure and Flash and White Balance as well on some cameras. :)
Click to expand...

Really?? how? I have a canon camera but never read the manual :gag:
 
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