HDR images display detail in a photo's darker regions.
HDR, or high dynamic range, photography is the merging of a number of different exposures of the same image to create a print that shows detail in both the brightest and darkest regions of the scene. While there is no set number of exposures needed to make an HDR print, three exposures is generally considered the minimum. The Nikon 5700 allows you to shoot in RAW mode and has a manual exposure setting. The camera's RAW setting records all the information contained in the picture, exactly the way is appears to the photographer. Shooting in RAW will also give you more options in adjusting the color spectrum when you process the photos on your computer.
Instructions
1. Select the scene you want to photograph. While many HDR's are shot of landscapes, it can be any static scene, such as buildings, old cars, streets or nature. Ideally, there is no movement in the scene. If there is movement, such as water flowing, set your shutter speed to a slow setting, allowing the water to blur.
2. Mount the camera to the tripod.
3. Turn the camera on. Set the exposure mode to manual. Meter for a normal exposure. Set the aperture to f8, and adjust the shutter speed until the light meter is in the middle. Select RAW for image storage.
4. Take five pictures. Take the first picture at normal exposure. Then take a photo that will be underexposed by one full stop and another underexposed by two full stops. Shoot the next two photos at one stop overexposed and then two stops overexposed. Do not move the camera; it is important to keep the camera in the same spot for each picture. Use small sand bags if you have them to help keep the tripod still. Change the exposure by adjusting the shutter speed only. Keep the same depth of field (range of the scene that is in focus) in each shot.
5. Open the five photos in the photo-editing software of your choice, and merge the five images to create the HDR. Make adjustments for contrast, color tone and sharpening and then save the image.
Tags: shutter speed, mode manual, Nikon 5700, normal exposure, there movement, underexposed full