simple question

[bruno106a]

Is bracketing the same as stacking, HDR etc :shrug:

 

[gramps]

Bracketing is taking a series of pics at slight variations in exposure, the 'set' is then used for example to make an HDR image, which uses them all to provide an image with the maximum dynamic range.

 

[Phil789]

Bracketing can be used in order to stack photos in post processing or HDR.

AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) can be set on the camera. You specify an exposure variation e.g. +/- 2 stops of light, the camera will then take the 3 images in quick succession. 1 exposed normally, 1 2 stops under and 1 2 stops over. You can then combine these in an HDR image or stack them in photoshop.

This process can also be done manually but AEB makes it a bit easier.

 

[bruno106a]

Thanks a lot guys for clearing that up for me

 

[Phil V]

We used to bracket exposures well before we could stack images for HDR though. It was used to ensure correct exposure in tricky circumstances.

 

[Andy_S]

As above, bracketing is taking shots at different exposures.
Stacking is laying images over each other in Photoshop. Used for star trails (same exposure for each), HDR (with different exposures) or Macro photography (different focus point in each because of the tiny depth of field.) Although 'stacking' can refer to taking a series of shots with the intention of editing as such.

 

[Tugster]

We used to bracket exposures well before we could stack images for HDR though. It was used to ensure correct exposure in tricky circumstances.

 

[shaylou]

We used to bracket exposures well before we could stack images for HDR though. It was used to ensure correct exposure in tricky circumstances.

How well does this technique work.

 

[HoppyUK]

How well does this technique work.

Quite well! It is the only way of guaranteeing 100% absolutely optimum exposure at all times. If you bracket enough, one of them has got to be right

Having said that, getting accurate exposure isn't very difficult when you understand what's going on and how to adjust it. What is much more difficult is dynamic range, when for example, the sky blows out on a landscape shot and there's nothing you can do about that with basic exposure adjustment because the sky is so much brighter than the foreground.

That's when you will want to use HDR technique, or fit a graduated filter. In other situations, you might use flash to bring the balance of light/dark within a range that the sensor can handle.

 

[shaylou]

I'm really interested in doing this but I'm using iphoto and do not know if it supports it. I can't find much info on iphoto. I really want to get rid of it. My beautiful macbook pro locked up Thebes other day wail this software was running. Its never done that before.