Dynamic range: photographing bright skies and dark shadows together

When a scene is too contrasty for one exposure, you lose either the sky or the shadows. Learn how to protect highlights, use HDR and fill light.

Dynamic range is the span between the darkest and brightest tones a camera can record with detail. A sunny courtyard with deep shade, or a living room with bright windows, can exceed what even the best sensor captures in a single shot.

Protect the highlights

Blown highlights cannot be recovered, while shadows can usually be lifted. When contrast is extreme, expose so the brightest important area just avoids clipping, then raise the shadows in editing. Use zebras or the histogram to check.

Bracket and blend

For still scenes like architecture and real estate, take three to five photos at different exposures on a tripod and merge them into HDR in Lightroom. Done well, it looks natural: windows with a view and interiors with detail.

Add light instead

A flash or reflector can fill shadows so the scene fits within the sensor’s range. This is often the most natural option for portraits in harsh sun.

Choose the time of day

Contrast drops dramatically in the hour after sunrise and before sunset, or when clouds diffuse the sun. Sometimes the best fix is simply coming back at a better time.