How to solve the exposure problem in landscape photography with large light ratio

Lead: When shooting scenery, we will inevitably encounter some environments with large light ratio. Unlike our naked eyes, the camera can adjust automatically, and the limited tolerance of the camera can't take into account both highlights and dark parts. For example, if the light ratio between the sky and the ground is too large, we will find that either the dark part is dead black or the sky is dead white after shooting. At this time, we will solve the problem through some special means.

There are many methods, such as: black card dithering technology, gradient mirror use, HDR post-production, etc. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. I've tried everything. Tell me about my personal feelings.

Black card shake technology:

Advantages: natural transition between light and shade, true color.

Disadvantages: low success rate, easy to succeed in the case of long-term exposure. Of course, the success rate will increase a lot after proficiency.

A method that individuals use more, but it is usually used before sunrise or after sunset. Keep a long exposure time properly to ensure the success rate.

As shown below, shooting parameters: manual exposure, aperture 1 1 exposure time of 4 seconds.

Use of gradient mirror:

Advantages: convenient, and the gradient mirror is very cheap, and it can be imaged at one time.

Disadvantages: the color tone is easy to change, the image quality is easy to deteriorate, and the gradient mirror also has the problem of light gear. Each different light ratio requires a gradient mirror with different light ratio gears.

Personally, I'm not used to using gradient lenses, although I take them with me every time I go out.

As shown below, shooting parameters: aperture 1 1, exposure time 1.3 seconds. The color of the sky has obviously changed. The picture is a film I gave up, just to give an example.

HDR post-production:

Advantages: Several photos with different exposures can be easily taken through peripheral exposure, and the details of light and dark parts can be better taken into account through post-production.

Disadvantages: unnatural, especially the edges are prone to bright edges.

Personally, I don't like to use HDR to make pictures, because I prefer the natural and real feeling.

As shown below: It was taken in Weizhou Island Catholic Church, exposed all around, and three photos with different exposures were taken, which were later made by HDR Canon DPP software.

In addition to the above methods, I would like to share some of my personal tips below, hoping to help you, and I also hope that you can give me more advice and put forward your shortcomings in order to make progress.

Personal methods are as follows:

Take two photos with different exposures, or photos in RAW format, adjust two photos with different exposures later, and then process the photos with PS masking tool, taking into account the exposure of highlights and dark parts.

1: measure the light of highlights and dark parts respectively, write down the parameters at that time, and fix the camera on a tripod for composition. Manual M exposure, adjust two different parameters, and take two different photos (one with normal high light exposure and one with normal dark light exposure).

High-light exposure photo: the sky is exposed normally and the dark part is too dark.

Shooting parameters: manual exposure, TV (shutter speed)113, Av (aperture value) 1 1.0.

Dark exposure photo: the water surface is exposed normally and the sky is overexposed.

Shooting parameters: manual exposure, TV (shutter speed) 1/4, Av (aperture value) 1 1.0.

2. Later methods are as follows:

(1) Open two pictures and superimpose them to get the background layer and the layer 1. Add a mask to the layer 1 As shown in the figure below:

(2) Select the gradient tool, as shown in the following figure:

(3) Pull out the gradient with the gradient tool on the mask of layer 1, so that the highlights and dark parts can naturally transition (this step should be handled carefully, and you can try several times until you are satisfied).

(4) After appropriate adjustment, merge the layers and output the photos. (Because I processed the above steps with a thumbnail and took a screenshot, the picture quality may not be ideal. I used a big picture to detail the original picture, so the picture quality is better. But the steps are the same, please forgive me)

As shown below: the final photo.

This method, whether pre-shooting or post-processing, is relatively simple, and can ensure the normal exposure of highlights and dark parts, as well as excellent image quality and color. Of course, it's just some of my personal skills. If there is anything wrong, please point out.

Photographs with the same shooting method and processing method:

Dongjiang is like a dream:

People who watch the sunrise in different postures:

2. In the absence of a tripod, shoot the RAW format, adjust two photos with different exposures later, and then synthesize them with the above' post-method'. The premise is to ensure that both highlights and dark parts can retain certain details.

(1) Shoot the original film in RAW format. The highlights of this film are not overexposed, and the dark parts can keep some details.

As shown in the following figure: shooting parameters: shooting mode, aperture priority, automatic exposure, Tv (shutter speed), 1/200 Av (aperture value), 1 1.0 metering mode, evaluation and metering.

(2) Adjust the highlights to a satisfactory effect. At this time, the dark parts are all black, but the highlights are normal.

As shown in the figure below:

(3) Adjust the dark part to a satisfactory effect. At this time, the highlight position is dead white, but the dark part is normal.

As shown in the figure below:

The picture is synthesized by the above PS method. (The method is the same as above, so I won't repeat it here. )

As shown in the figure below:

This method should be carried out on the premise of shooting in RAW format, and the shooting time ratio should not be too large, so that satisfactory photos can be obtained by proper remedy in the later stage. But no matter how to remedy it, such processing will lose a certain image quality. If the dark part is lit, there will be obvious noise, so I strongly suggest that if conditions permit, don't be afraid of trouble and try to shoot with the first method. Of course, you can also choose other methods, and the one that suits you is the best.

Large light ratio environment is an inevitable situation in our landscape photography, but if the light ratio has exceeded a certain level, even if you shoot and process it in any way, it doesn't make any sense, which is why we landscape photographers shoot in the dark early, because the light ratio is relatively small in the morning and evening, and the colors are rich and changeable. Here, I pay tribute to all landscape photographers.