Many digital cameras lack dynamic range. This can be seen when you take a photo but the sky is over or under exposed while another part is correct. The camera can not expose both correctly, as the eye can. I usually do very little, if any, post processing with my photos but this come in handy.
Here is how to fix dynamic range using Paint Shop Pro, or Photoshop.

First, take your photo using the bracketing feature of your camera. This will take several photos with different exposures automatically.
Now that you have the photos, find the one with the best foreground and the one with the best background. Load them into Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop.
Go to the foreground photo, go to Edit and Copy.
Next, go to the background photo, go to Edit, then Paste as a new layer.
Go to Layers and set the transparency to 50% for the new layer.
If needed select and move the new layer to align it with the bottom layer.
Now, increase the transparency, and select the Eraser tool.
Erase any part of the new layer that you do not want. The bottom layer will show through.
When you are done you will have a photo with a good foreground and background with great dynamic range.

If you think this is some how “cheating” with your photography, remember post processing used to be done in the dark room.

Have fun.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 19th, 2005 at 12:27 am and is filed under Photography. Both comments and pings are currently closed.