Bracketing Exposure to Improve Tonal Range

I love my digital cameras but sometimes I can be very displeased with the results. While digital cameras produce sharp photos with vivid colors, sometimes this can be the problem. Many magazines will still only accept film images rather than digital images because the tonal ranges that digital cameras produce are not nearly as subtle as the tonal range of film.

In fact, when out on a shoot, I almost always carry at least one film camera. When subtle tones are important in a photograph, I will nearly always pick up the film camera. It simply gives me better control over the tonal range of the final product.

This is fine for me as a working professional but, for the average amateur photographer, carrying multiple cameras is probably not an option. There is an alternative to switching to film and although it is not as good as creating a film image, it is better than just accepting the average exposure metering that your digital camera gives you.

What I am talking about is called exposure bracketing. Instead of taking a single shot at the metered exposure setting, you take several shots with slightly different exposure settings. Normally, you can do this by just changing the Exposure Value (EV) setting. The EV setting will either increase or decrease the amount of exposure that you CMOS sensor receives. By slightly overexposing an image, you can increase detail in shadow areas. By slightly underexposing an image, you can increase detail in the highlight areas. In shooting in this manner, you get much better control of the tonal values in your final product. Some photographers will take 6 or more shots when tonality is extremely important.

Then when you are viewing your shots on the computer, you can select the best shot that produces the tonal range that is important to you.

Yes, it takes a little extra time but, when you are trying to create a digital masterpiece, it is well worth the time and the effort.

If you can, always carry a film camera as a backup but if this is not feasible, at least bracket your exposures so that you can gain some extra control over the digital cameras tonal range. I suspect that in the near future, camera manufacturers will be making dramatic improvements in tonal range but, for the time being, bracket your exposures.