Beecher's Handouts /

Setting Exposure / 13.5 - Bracketing

Bracketing is the taking of several photographs of a scene where different amounts of light reach the film or digital sensor.

Here's an example:

Bracketing is done when you're unsure of the best exposure.

Note, in the photographs above, how the shutter speed was constant:

1/60th

While the lens openings were varied:

f/5.6 f/6.7 f/8 f/9.5 f/11

When bracketing, you always keep the shutter speed constant, and vary the lens opening.

Or—vice versa—vary the shutter speed and keep the lens opening constant.

You have to use manual exposure mode (M).

If you use the Av/A or Tv/S exposure modes, the same amount of light will reach the sensor.

That’s because when you change, say, the shutter speed, the camera will change the lens opening to maintain the same exposure.

Automatic bracketing, available on many cameras, makes bracketing easier.