e2 / Bracketing:

Due: 6/15

Objectives:
This exercise will evaluate your ability to use a bracketed exposure technique.
You will select a subject possessing both highlights and shadow.
You will then shoot based on 1 stop under-exposed, a shot that is evenly exposed, and another 1 stop over-exposed.
Your ISO will remain the same for each shot.
You may change your aperture OR shutter speed for this exercise.

In Your Camera

Find a subject possessing a fair amount of both shadow and highlight (best to shoot a couple of hours before and/or after noon).
On your camera, switch your Mode to M for Manual (it's a dial on top of the camera body).
Turn on your camera (if you haven't done so), find the Menu button on your camera, move through the software menus displayed on your screen. Find a category that handles "Image" or uses the "camera" icon. Find a setting for either image quality, image resolution, image size, or image file type. Select RAW. Do Not Use JPG.
Other settings to check (camera's digital menu):
Color Space: Adobe RGB
White Balance: Auto (use that for now)
Select your ISO (sensor sensitivity). Choose: 200
*How you select your ISO differs from camera to camera. Some allow you to press a bottom on your camera body and turn a dial. Others require you to access the menu on your camera's software, to travel through digital menus, and then to finally find "image sensitivity" or "ISO" and change the setting there.
Remove your lens cap. Point your camera at your subject. Manually focus on your subject, or use the Auto feature on your lens. (Find a switch on your lens with either M / A or MF / AF).
Lightly push down on your shutter-release button. If your lens is set to Auto focus, by pressing 1/2 on the shutter-release, your lens will attempt to focus on your subject. There is a setting on your camera for selecting where in the frame your focal point will be and where the Auto Focus should select from within the frame. I suggest keeping the AF in the center (unless you feel comfortable with changing these settings to fit your needs). *see diagram below
The next icon to look for is for Metering. Please use Matrix or Center-Weighted.
{read more about metering here}
Again, lightly push down on your shutter-release button. This time you are looking for your in-camera Light Meter and Exposure read-out. (this will measure the reflected light from your subject. read more on this.)
You can change your aperture size (f-stop) or shutter speed (as second fractions) in order to have an even exposure based on all of your settings (ISO, aperture, shutter)
We will describe an even exposure as: EV 0 (Exposure Value)*see below for exposure diagram
Press on your shutter-release button all the way to record your image.
Your next step will be to "Bracket" your exposure for this same framing.
Keep your ISO the same (for this exercise). You may adjust either your aperture size or shutter speed. For this next shot, you will be Over Exposing your image. You let more light into the sensor (the sensor records your image). Press down all the way on the shutter-release to record your image. This is described as EV +1.
*see below for exposure diagram
Repeat this last step and overexpose 2 stops: EV +2
Keep your ISO the same. Adjust the aperture size or shutter speed and Under Exposure your image. This will decrease the amount of light that is recorded onto the sensor. This is described as EV -1.
*see below for exposure diagram
Repeat this last step and underexpose 2 stops: EV -2
Shoot a few more subjects in this way. Choose your best Bracketed series (subject / framing).
Rename your 5 bracketed files as:
lastname_e2_EV0.nef (or .cr2 - depending on your camera brand)
lastname_e2_EV+1.nef
lastname_e2_EV+2.nef
lastname_e2_EV-1.nef
lastname_e2_EV-2.nef