In the field: Look for a setting on your camera called Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB).
Here are the controls on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. While the exact settings will vary from camera to camera, the general concept remains The approach here is simple: To increase the dynamic range of a photograph, simply capture more information in the field. If you’re using a newer version of Lightroom (or the Creative Cloud version), you’ll find the ability to merge exposures. Dehaze –This is another method for affectingĬontrast and is useful to remove haze in an image.Be sure to zoom toġ00% magnification when using this slider and watch for halos around the edges. Clarity –The Clarity adjustment can be thought.Tryĭragging the Contrast slider to the left and then using the Presence controls Reduce contrast in an image to keep the midtones from getting bunched up. Contrast –While it may seem illogical, I tend to.I typically combine these controls with the Contrast The Presence controls generally affect the depth and color Drag to the left slowly if the image lacks dynamic range. Blacks –This slider behaves similarly to the Whites slider, except it affects the shadows.If the image lacks dynamic range, drag this slider slowly to the right. Whites –Use this slider to increase or decrease clipping in the highlights.Typically, I’ll drag the Blacks slider in the direction opposite the Shadows. Dragging to the left darkens shadows and to the right lightens them. Shadows –This slider works well in both directions.Highlights –This adjusts the brighter areas of the photo.Highlights to the left to recover, you should pull the shadows to the right to These four sliders are the key to getting your dynamic rangeĬorrect. Tone Controls: Shadows & Highlights, Whites & Blacks These days, even smartphones and drones can capture DNG files, which result in superior quality. These all work best with a raw file, so be sure to capture raw in-camera. Let’s take a quick look at the built-in options. Getting proper dynamic range in Lightroom has gotten easier as the application matures. For the record, I strongly prefer the third image below.
Don’t blame the tool for a lack of good judgement by the user. But it’s akin to assuming that Photoshop is only capable of examples like this or this. Sure, if we judge HDR by its worst examples, that’s totally valid. Where the colors and details have been pushed to cartoonish extremes. I encounter photographers all the time who tell Why HDR Isn’t a Bad Wordįor many photographers, the term HDR (high dynamic range) causes There’s no right answer, as it really comes down to how much effort you’re willing to put in and the results you want to get. Toss in the limiting factors of your camera and shooting style and you’ll quickly discover that one size does not fit all. There are several ways to improve the dynamic range of your images: You can change how you capture your images, change how you process them, or both.