Photographing an interior with bright windows

An interior with bright views out of the windows has a very high contrast.

Taking several photos (underexposed photos for the windows, overexposed photos for the interior) will allow you to capture both the interior of the room and what is outside the window.

The basic technique for taking the exposures is detailed below. It assumes your camera has an AEB (Automatic Exposure Bracketing) function that allows to take at least 3 photos in 2 EV steps or 5 photos in 1 EV step.

A tripod isn't absolutely necessary with the basic technique, but is still highly recommended.

The next page details the advanced technique. Use the advanced technique when you need to ensure that all details in the view are rendered, or if your camera doesn't support AEB with 3 photos spaced by 2 EV (or 5 spaced by 1 EV).

Basic technique for taking bracketed exposures

1.
Turn on all the lights in the room.
2.
Check that the flash of your camera is switched off.
3.
Set the ISO to 400.
4.
Set your camera to Aperture priority mode (usually abbreviated A or Av).
5.
Aim your camera to a point in the room which has an average brightness level. Keep away from the darkest parts of the interior, and the brightest areas, such as the windows.
6.
While your camera is pointing at the place you have chosen for step 4, take a note of the shutter speed that it displays.
7.
Switch the camera to Manual mode. Then, check that the shutter speed is the same as in step 5, otherwise change it to what you noted in step 5.
8.
Set your camera to Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) mode.
9.
Using the AEB options, set the EV spacing to +/- 2 EV if your camera supports it, or otherwise to the highest EV spacing it supports.

If you are not familiar with the AEB functionality of your camera, consult your camera's manual or this webpage.

10.
Switch your camera to Continuous Shooting mode.
11.
Mount your camera on a tripod if you have one. If you don't, try to find a steady surface you can rest your camera on. Next, frame the shot, check the focus, and press and hold the shutter button until the bracketed photos are taken.

You can now load the bracketed photos into Photomatix.

If you need to ensure that all details in the view are rendered while the interior remains bright, then use the advanced technique (the main difference with the basic technique are in steps 5 to 7 listed above).