TPB Staff
01-11-2009, 02:38 PM
Once they have obtained a meter reading indicating a correct exposure, many photographers will often use bracketing as a means to guarantee a good exposure. This term refers to the practice of taking additional exposures of the same subject from either side of an indicated meter reading: one-half to one full stop over, and again one-half to a full stop under the initial meter reading.
For example, you get a meter reading for an f-stop and shutter speed combination of f11 at 1/125, and you take a picture using that exposure. You may then deliberately adjust the exposure to f8 at 1/125, and then 1/16 at 1/125. Or, you may wish to leave the aperture at f11 for the desired depth of field and change your exposure by controlling the shutter speed, in which you would bracket by making an exposure at f11 and 1/60, then f11 at 1/250.
Either way, you will be changing the exposure from the initial indicated meter reading by increasing, then decreasing, the amount of light that will reach the film or sensor. You will have taken several different exposures of the same image and one exposure will prove to be the ideal, leading to less time spent with digital post processing or darkroom test prints to obtain a good quality print.
Bracketing has fallen into some disfavor by many photographers as being a way to avoid learning correct exposure methods. It is certainly best to learn to expose well and "get it right in camera" and avoid depending on the use of digital software to "save" an image, or waste film exposures by routinely depending upon bracketing as a safety net.
Although not always practical, depending on your shooting situation, it can be a good idea when you are in a hurried situation, or cannot return to repeat a shot later.
For example, you get a meter reading for an f-stop and shutter speed combination of f11 at 1/125, and you take a picture using that exposure. You may then deliberately adjust the exposure to f8 at 1/125, and then 1/16 at 1/125. Or, you may wish to leave the aperture at f11 for the desired depth of field and change your exposure by controlling the shutter speed, in which you would bracket by making an exposure at f11 and 1/60, then f11 at 1/250.
Either way, you will be changing the exposure from the initial indicated meter reading by increasing, then decreasing, the amount of light that will reach the film or sensor. You will have taken several different exposures of the same image and one exposure will prove to be the ideal, leading to less time spent with digital post processing or darkroom test prints to obtain a good quality print.
Bracketing has fallen into some disfavor by many photographers as being a way to avoid learning correct exposure methods. It is certainly best to learn to expose well and "get it right in camera" and avoid depending on the use of digital software to "save" an image, or waste film exposures by routinely depending upon bracketing as a safety net.
Although not always practical, depending on your shooting situation, it can be a good idea when you are in a hurried situation, or cannot return to repeat a shot later.