What Is Bracketing and Why Is It So Useful?

Modern cameras are incredibly powerful tools, but there are still limitations to what they can do, some imposed by the current state of technology and some forever imposed by the laws of physics. That does not mean you are simply out of luck, though, as there are ways to work around these limitations. Often, this is done via bracketing, and this excellent video tutorial will show you some of the different kinds of bracketing, why they are valuable, and how to use them. 

Coming to you from Maarten Heilbron, this awesome video tutorial will show you different kinds of bracketing and how to use them. Bracketing is the process of taking multiple shots without changing position or composition while varying a single parameter between each shot, then combining them all into a single image in post. For example, almost all cameras come with exposure bracketing capabilities, which allow you to capture scenes with extreme dynamic range, such as a sunset with a dark foreground, by taking multiple exposures. This extends beyond just controlling dynamic range, though. For example, macro photographers frequently use focus bracketing to achieve a greater depth of field than possible in a single shot (at least not without running into softness from diffraction). Check out the video above for the full rundown from Heilbron. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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Ps back in 2010 was $800 and for each version upgrade. I used a Promote Control with my Canon T2i to capture a infocus moon over a bright foreground. A focused moon requires SS/ISO 125 and f/8 to f/11 for sharpness but everything dark around. Doing 5 at +/- 3ev starting at center of .5s you get a 30s last capture. Back then only Photomatix $80 could process. Remember NR is turned off when bracketing.