bracketing definition

bracketing definition

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Bracketing in photography refers to the technique of taking multiple shots of the same scene at varying exposure settings. These exposures typically include one shot at the camera’s metered or “correct” exposure, one intentionally underexposed, and one intentionally overexposed. This series of shots helps photographers capture a wider range of tonal values, especially in scenes with high contrast or varying levels of brightness.

The purpose of bracketing is to ensure that at least one of the shots captures the scene correctly, even if the camera’s automatic exposure settings might struggle to do so on its own. This technique is commonly used in situations where the dynamic range of the scene exceeds the camera’s ability to capture detail in both the brightest and darkest areas.

For example, in landscape photography, a scene with a bright sky and dark foreground might benefit from bracketing. By taking a series of shots with different exposures, the photographer can later combine them using specialized software to create an image that preserves detail in both the sky and the foreground.

Bracketing can also be used for other purposes, such as capturing a range of focus distances (known as focus bracketing) or varying other settings like white balance or ISO. The specific application of bracketing depends on the creative and technical needs of the photographer.

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