Auto Exposure Bracketing

If you primarily work in jpeg, Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) is a great little tool, easy to implement, that will help you get even more out of your images. There are many instances in a photographer’s career when “just a little more” or “just a little less” would have made the difference between a great image and an outstanding one, but there was no opportunity to download to a calibrated computer to judge the final image. And, although one could certainly shoot RAW and adjust an image in manipulation software later, that does require more work. Even though it might take only a few minutes, time is money.

When you engage this feature, the camera will set itself to shoot a bracketed series of three exposures, in one-third stop increments, up to three full f-stops under and over the target exposure. This feature works in every Creative Zone mode except Bulb and is perfect for adding a bit of subtlety to your work.

With EOS-1 bodies, push the Mode and AF buttons at the same time. The top LCD panel will change from its usual inclusive display to a minimalist view showing only Exposure Compensation, 0.0, and an icon that represents a bracketed exposure (FIG 4.10).

Use the Quick Control Dial to select the amount of difference between exposures (FIG 4.11).

FIG 4.10

FIG 4.11 This LCD indicates a two-stop spread between the three exposures

The Auto Exposure Bracketing feature is just as easy to use with prosumer EOS bodies. Just find the item in the Menu, select it, and use the Quick Control Dial to set the amount of exposure bracket you wish. Push the shutter three times to record the exposure bracket (FIGS 4.12 and 4.13).

FIG 4.12

FIG 4.13

Once your picture is composed, click the shutter three times. The first exposure will be what you’ve determined to be “on the mark,” the next will be the underexposed frame, followed by the frame that’s brighter than the mark FIGS 4.14-4.16).

Most cameras will allow as many additional series as you wish, and Auto Exposure Bracketing will remain active until you either dial the exposure spread back to zero or turn the machine off. You can change the sequence of shots and whether or not Auto Exposure Bracketing stays active after a series by engaging a Custom Function. Refer to your manual to determine which Custom Function allows this on your camera.