HDR and Exposure Control

I just bought a D5200 and have a question about using its HDR function. I get that the point of HDR is to make the camera automatically use the best exposure level in order the get the greatest range of colors, however the D5200 has both HDR and (of course) an exposure compensation knob.

If I'm shooting in HDR, do I want to be fiddling with the exposure compensation? I'm confused as to whether manually pre-adjusting the exposure while having HDR enabled will create strange color patterns or actually help make the photo look clearer. Also, anyone who has a D5200, any recommendation on an HDR intensity setting? Thank you!

Welcome Mitch.
You just need to bracket your photos...
That's usually achieved by the camera changing the exposure levels for each shot.
Usually (this can be adjusted) it takes the shot at what you specify as the correct exposure & one underexposed & one over exposed.

Not sure of the 5200 has a dedicated 'BKT' (bracketing) button, but i've assinged that to the Fn button on my 5100.

So once you set the camera in bracketing mode by setting the exposure variation between the shots (1/3 stop, 1 stop, 2 stops etc), place the camera on a tripod preferably or if you are good at hand held, go ahead.

The camera will shoot the same scene with 3 diff exposures by varying the shutter speed.
You wouldn't need to compensate in any way.

Your HDR image will need to be created by combining the 3 images so the picture can have the best pixels from all 3 shots.

Thanks for the quick reply, WhiteLight. I'm entirely new to SLR photography, so the only experience I really have is watching many of the video guides on youtube for the D5200.

I've heard that combining bracketed images is somewhat superior to a camera's built-in HDR program, but I'd still like to know how to use that function properly.

In reference to my original post, should I be adjusting the exposure when HDR is enabled? Or does using HDR "grey out" that adjustment, or perhaps even make the photo have strange color levels?

Mitch Higgins said:

Thanks for the quick reply, WhiteLight. I'm entirely new to SLR photography, so the only experience I really have is watching many of the video guides on youtube for the D5200.

I've heard that combining bracketed images is somewhat superior to a camera's built-in HDR program, but I'd still like to know how to use that function properly.

Click to expand...

You tube videos are a good way to learn.
Bracketing & combining by yourself is definitely a better option than built in HDR.
Very similar to RAW vs JPG.. In JPG the camera chooses the best settings, whereas in RAW you have the liberty to play with the image the way you want to
So when you combine 3 variably exposed images, you have more control on the processed image.

Mitch Higgins said:

In reference to my original post, should I be adjusting the exposure when HDR is enabled? Or does using HDR "grey out" that adjustment, or perhaps even make the photo have strange color levels?

Click to expand...

If you use the HDR option, there is no need to adjust the exposure, as the camera will adjust the settings for you.
The strange colors & 'over cooked' images are usually the outcomes of some over zealous HDR enthusiasts
All that you would need to do is choose the HDR option (or bracketing mode), select the best exposure for the normal shot.
Then the next 2 shots will be adjusted by the camera

These should help you get a better understanding-

Nikon D5100 in Camera HDR Function Tutorial

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/gltv4qwv/in-camera-hdr.html/

At the time of posting this link the Nikon website is down for maintenance...
should be up sooner than later

Thanks for the input, I'm excited to start learning how to take photos better than the iPhone

good luck!
​HDR is very addictive

Most of the in-camera HDR programs use only two exposures in Jpeg. Try using the bracketing function, the usual spread is 1-2 ev each way and 0 for the normal shot. I use +-2 normally, or +-1 in bright light. My favorite was +-1.7, but the D600 does not do that.

I've had my Nikon D5200 for almost a year and this morning tried the HDR mode for the first time, I can hear a definite difference in the shutter sound when in HDR mode... but only one single image is produced when I press the shutter release... Does the camera automatically expose the image multiple times ? or do I have to take multiple shots manually for a true HDR image ?


Each time I shoot a frame the HDR settings go back to the default "off" position - Is it suppose to do that ?

and could anyone tell me exactly what the " Low, Norm, High, High* and Auto " settings for HDR do ?

Blueimac said:

Does the camera automatically expose the image multiple times?

Click to expand...

Effectively, yes. The camera does its "HDR magic" internally based on two exposures that fire all but simultaneously.

Blueimac said:

...or do I have to take multiple shots manually for a true HDR image?

Click to expand...

You don't have to; the camera can do it for you, see above. You CAN do it yourself and you'll gain more control over the process. You have to do all the work yourself, though, and it requires specialized software.

Blueimac said:

Each time I shoot a frame the HDR settings go back to the default "off" position - Is it suppose to do that?

Click to expand...

Yes. HDR is a specialized mode so your camera reverts to normal shooting mode after you take your HDR shot.

Blueimac said:

and could anyone tell me exactly what the " Low, Norm, High, High* and Auto " settings for HDR do?

Click to expand...

It's varying degree's of the HDR effect. Think of them as "High" "Medium" and "Low". The best way to better understand them would be to try experimenting with the different settings.
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