Taking exposures inside a room with bright views

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 see 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.
Select the lowest ISO you have on your camera (e.g. 100) and make sure your flash is switched off.
3.
Set your camera to Aperture priority (usually abbreviated A or Av).
4.
Aim your camera to a point in the room which has an average brightness level, which means not the darkest part of the interior, nor the brightest, like the window.
Note: If bright light is entering the camera, cover the viewfinder with your hand.
5.
Look at the shutter speed that your camera displays further to step 4.
6.
Switch the camera to Manual Mode. Then, check that the shutter speed is the same as in step 5, otherwise change it to be as in step 5.
7.
Set your camera to Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB).
8.
Using the AEB option, set the EV spacing to +/- 2 EV if your camera supports it, 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.

9.
Switch your camera to Continuous Shooting mode.
10.
Frame the shot and ensure that your camera is level and at eye level. Keep as still as possible, then press the shutter button and wait for the camera to take the bracketed photos.

You now have bracketed photos, ready to load 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 4 to 6 listed above).