How do you fine-tune exposure with bracketing and compensation?

1 What is exposure bracketing?

Exposure bracketing is a method of taking multiple shots of the same scene with different exposure settings. This way, you can capture a range of tones and details, and choose the best one later, or blend them together in post-processing. Exposure bracketing is especially useful for high-contrast scenes, such as landscapes, sunsets, or interiors, where you might have bright highlights and dark shadows.

2 How to use exposure bracketing?

To use exposure bracketing, you need to set your camera to a mode that allows you to adjust the exposure value (EV), such as aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual. Then, you need to turn on the bracketing function, which is usually indicated by a symbol like BKT or AEB. Depending on your camera model, you can select how many shots you want to take (typically 3 or 5), and how much you want to vary the exposure between them (usually in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV). For example, if you set your bracketing to 3 shots and 1/2 EV, your camera will take one shot at the metered exposure, one shot at -1/2 EV, and one shot at +1/2 EV. You can then review the results on your LCD screen or computer, and pick the one that looks best, or merge them using software like Photoshop or Lightroom.

3 What is exposure compensation?

Exposure compensation is a simpler way of adjusting the exposure, without taking multiple shots. It allows you to override the camera's metering system, and tell it to make the image brighter or darker than what it thinks is correct. Exposure compensation is useful for situations where the camera might be fooled by the lighting, such as backlit subjects, snow, or dark backgrounds.

4 How to use exposure compensation?

To use exposure compensation, you need to set your camera to a mode that lets you change the EV, such as aperture priority, shutter priority, or program. Then, you need to find the button or dial that controls the exposure compensation, which is usually marked by a symbol like +/- or EC. By turning the dial or pressing the button, you can increase or decrease the exposure by steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. For example, if you want to make your image brighter, you can dial in +1 EV, and if you want to make it darker, you can dial in -1 EV. You can see the effect of the exposure compensation on your LCD screen or viewfinder, and adjust it until you get the desired result.

5 When to use bracketing or compensation?

Both bracketing and compensation are helpful tools for fine-tuning exposure, but they have different advantages and disadvantages. Bracketing gives you more options and flexibility, as you can choose from several exposures, or combine them for a higher dynamic range. However, bracketing also takes more time, memory space, and battery power, and requires a tripod or a steady hand to avoid camera shake. Compensation is faster and easier, as you only need to take one shot and tweak it slightly. However, compensation also has less room for error, as you might lose some details or quality if you overexpose or underexpose too much.

6 How to decide which one to use?

The choice between bracketing and compensation depends on your personal preference, shooting style, and subject matter. Generally, bracketing is best for high-contrast scenes or to create an HDR image, while compensation is best for low-contrast scenes or to correct the camera's metering. Bracketing is preferable when you have enough time, space, and stability to take multiple shots, while compensation works better when you have limited time, space, or stability to take one shot. Additionally, bracketing is useful when you are unsure about the best exposure or want to experiment with different effects, while compensation is ideal when you have a clear idea of the exposure you want or want to make subtle adjustments.