Ettr?

"Expose to the Right".

I only just heard about this technique this morning, then watched a couple of videos on the subject. Seems like a pretty neat trick. Anyone here shoot this way?

DS: This method of exposure is really very similar to adapting the Zone System for use in digital. If you think of the histogram as a Zone Map, they are exposing to maximize the amount of information recorded. IMO deciding what your subject is and how you want to expose THAT (typically Zone V) ahead of composition is another way of approaching this. I think this kind of technique ETTR is particularly useful in landscape-type scenes, where you want as much information (shadow and highlight) recorded as possible.

This is also of course how HDR photography works, except the bracketing overcomes sensor limitations. The downside (IMO) with HDR photography is that it is so very often abused and overused, and because of this it gives a scene an artificial quality.

HDR is like the Autotune of photography: It mitigates limitations or mistakes in exposure (pitch), but can introduce that plasticky feel.

My personal approach is to try to expose for the subject. I record in Raw, and then when in PP I look at and adjust towards histograms that maximize dynamic range (Zones), while keeping the aesthetic I want. Sometimes black shadows and blown highlights are pleasing

As always, photography is an art of the personal...so what works for me may not work for you or others. Everyone's mileage may vary!

Thanks very much for taking the time to type all that out for my benefit, Kamurah! It was extremely interesting and helpful. I hadn't thought to compare it to Zone exposing. I guess I'll have to try both myself and see how it works now.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it :encouragement:

Dangerspouse said:

"Expose to the Right".

I only just heard about this technique this morning, then watched a couple of videos on the subject. Seems like a pretty neat trick. Anyone here shoot this way?

Click to expand...

I absolutely use ETTR and have for a long time. It's not a trick, it's just a technique for maximizing the dynamic range of your camera.

The critical thing is exposing to the right without clipping the highlights. For some reason that bit seems to elude a lot of people. With that being said, remember as as well the histogram on the back of the camera is based on the embedded .jpg - not the raw data - so you need to experiment a bit and learn how much you can "clip" (according to the .jpg histogram) without actually have clipped them in the raw file. I was surprised at just how much "clipping" I could actually get away with according the camera's histogram.

Horoscope Fish said:

I absolutely use ETTR and have for a long time. It's not a trick, it's just a technique for maximizing the dynamic range of your camera.

The critical thing is exposing to the right without clipping the highlights. For some reason that bit seems to elude a lot of people. With that being said, remember as as well the histogram on the back of the camera is based on the embedded .jpg - not the raw data - so you need to experiment a bit and learn how much you can "clip" (according to the .jpg histogram) without actually have clipped them in the raw file. I was surprised at just how much "clipping" I could actually get away with according the camera's histogram.

Click to expand...

Great tip, thanks! I'll be sure to pay attention to that.

And fwiw, I meant "trick" in the more colloquial sense of a general nifty....ah, never mind. Basically, I meant it as a positive. I knew it was a technique