Struggling with HDR exposures

[IanC]

Hi guys, i would just like to ask a very basic question. i have a D40 and i am trying to make three differing exposures of the same scene so that i can merge them together to creat a HDR image.

Without bracketing this is taking me a while to get the hang of.

can anyone walk me through step by step on how to obtain 3 differing exposures using the d40

Thanks for any advice and apologies for the basic question.

 

[siwhite]

Try using the exposure compensation function. If you've set for Aperture variation it will keep a constant shutter speed and vary the aperture. If you've set for Shutter Speed it will change shutter speed. You may need a tripod.

 

[SamuelHearn]

You could shoot one RAW image and then change the exposure in photoshop and save it out a few times? I appreciate this may not be the correct way, but it works

 

[Philx1979]

You could shoot one RAW image and then change the exposure in photoshop and save it out a few times? I appreciate this may not be the correct way, but it works

i used to do this alot when i had my d40x, and still do occasionaly with my d90, i find it chucks out some good results, but yes the easiest way to do it in camera is press the exposure compensation button and then turn the command wheel with your tumb and select the compensation you want.

i find for best results use -2 0 +2 for the hdr image.

 

[Ambermile]

Hi Ian - you can do what I do - take a RAW image and then when you get home, copy it to a plus two and minus two stops image. Voila - three pics to play with - not perfect but it does mean you don;t have to worry about that leaf moving or clouds shifting. It also means you can HDR anything!

OTT yes, but fun!



Arthur

 

[Fragglerock]

The D40 does not have automatic exposure bracketing (where you can set it so three presses of the shutter will automatically under and over and correctly expose the shot)

Thus you must manually set the exposure compensation between each shot. That can be done either by simply increasing and decreasing the aperture/exposure time or as suggested above use the exposure compensation slider to alter the exposure.

That is achieved by holding the +/- button near the shutter and turning the rear dial (In modes other than Manual)

 

[IanC]

Thanks for all your advice guys i will give what you have all said a go and see how i get on. HDR is something i really like, and i know some people think its ott but i just love the detail it produces.

i guess using one raw image and creating a few different exposures from it would be quite good too, and would be useful for things like plains and sports etc. i have been shooting in raw exclusively recently so i will give it a go. Can i set the exposure to different levels in Adobe elements 7.0 ?

 

[IanC]

That is achieved by holding the +/- button near the shutter and turning the rear dial (In modes other than Manual)

ah thats where i have been going wrong then, i was just pressing the +/- button without turning the rear dial :bonk:

thanks!

 

[swanseamale47]

Don't ajust the aperture, that'll alter the depth of field between shots, always use the shutter speed to alter.
use a tripod, use aperture exposure to get a reading at say f11, now switch to manual set F11 at whaterver speed was suggested, take a shot alter the shutter 1 or 2 stops less and take another shot, now alter the shutter back up for the over shot so you have your 3 bracketed shots.