nauticalmike wrote:
This is probably a stupid question, but that's ok because I never claimed to be a very knowledgeable photographer. If I understand correctly bracketing is taking 3 pictures with three different white balance values, one low one mid and one high of the exact same scene. However since the exposure can be adjusted after the fact then if you are shooting in raw then bracketing has no place. Since most of the professional photographers here seem to say they always shot in raw, the bracketing must not be used by professional photographers. Is that an accurate assumption?
This is probably a stupid question, but that's ok ... (
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Bracketing...
You do not use the white balance when you bracket regardless of what you shoot.
You can bracket using three parameters, each presenting their own problems.
Aperture, opening or closing the aperture changes the Depth o Field (DoF). This can create a problem few will notice.
Speed, speed is the least recommended to use ad if you slow down the speed to much you get motion blur that will be hard to deal with.
ISO While before we could use only Aperture or Speed now this is not the case and... It is the best option by far.
If you bracket using ISO you not only do not change the aperture and avoid DoF discrepancies but you also avoid motion blur you also influence the noise, basically killing it when you stack the images.
You assumption that 'pro shooting raw do not bracket' is simply wrong. Why would a professional not use a tool available?
So, How do you bracket with ISO?
Simple:
- Set your camera mode to manual.
- Set the ISO to an acceptable auto range.
- Set the number of shots in your bracketing burst.
- Set the EV difference you need depending on the scene AND the file format you use. Raw has a greater latitude than JPG so the EV setting is important.
- Expose manually Aperture and Speed for the first shot. ISO will adapt. If you want a specific ISO to start with just adjust the setting so that you get it. I would not recommend that at all.
- Focusing should stay the same during the bracketing burst so make sure you are not using focus tracking as if something moves within the frame the camera may lock onto the object in motion.
- The camera will use ISO to bracket since it has no other choice.
While not an obligation, I would urge you to use a tripod, the result will be much better and predictable.