Understanding Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)

Auto exposure bracketing (AEB) makes your camera take several shots at different exposures automatically – ideal for tricky high-contrast scenes and HDR blending. The key is capturing detail across shadows and highlights you could not hold in one frame. Here’s how AEB works.

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) is a powerful tool in photography that allows you to capture multiple shots at different exposures.

This technique ensures that you get a well-exposed image, even in challenging lighting conditions. AEB is especially useful for high-contrast scenes where the camera might struggle to get the exposure just right in a single shot.

In essence, AEB involves taking several photos of the same scene with varying exposure settings. These settings typically range from underexposed to correctly exposed to overexposed.

The idea is to capture a broader range of exposure levels, giving you more options when editing your images. If you’ve ever wondered what exposure bracketing is for, this is it: it’s a method to ensure you don’t miss the perfect exposure in tricky lighting conditions.

Read More: How to Get the Best Exposure

How AEB Works Across Different Cameras

While Canon cameras like the Canon 80D have a specific AEB feature, other camera brands offer similar functionalities under different names. For instance, Nikon calls this feature “Auto Exposure Bracketing,” while Sony refers to it as “Exposure Bracketing.”

Regardless of the name, the underlying principle remains the same: capturing multiple images at varying exposures to increase the chances of getting a perfect shot.

When you enable AEB, the camera automatically adjusts the exposure settings between each shot.

For instance, it might take one image at the standard exposure, another one stop underexposed, and a third one stop overexposed. This process helps to balance out the exposure by giving you several options to choose from in post-processing.

When to Use Auto Exposure Bracketing

AEB is particularly useful in high-contrast situations where a single exposure might not capture all the details you need. For example, when photographing a sunset or a scene with bright highlights and dark shadows, a single exposure might either blow out the highlights or lose detail in the shadows.

When you enable AEB, you can capture the full range of light and shadow, making it easier to blend these exposures together in post-processing.

Additionally, AEB is beneficial in HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography. HDR involves combining multiple exposures to create an image with a greater dynamic range.

Using AEB to capture the necessary exposures simplifies the HDR process, allowing you to focus on composition and creativity rather than manual exposure adjustments.

How to Enable AEB on a Canon 80D

If you’re using a Canon 80D (an all-round generic DSLR camera), enabling AEB is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

AEB works best in aperture priority mode, where you set the aperture and the camera adjusts the shutter speed. You can switch to this mode using the mode dial on the top of your camera.

• Press the “Menu” button on the back of the camera to access the camera’s settings.
• Navigate to the Exposure Bracketing Settings: Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Shooting” tab.
• Look for the “Exposure Bracketing” option, which is typically found in the “Shooting” settings.
• Once you’ve selected “Exposure Bracketing,” turn the dial to set the bracketing range. For example, you might choose a range of ±2 stops, meaning the camera will take three shots: one at the correct exposure, one underexposed by 2 stops, and one overexposed by 2 stops.
• After setting up AEB, compose your shot and press the shutter button. The camera will automatically take multiple exposures according to your settings.

Tips for Effective Use of AEB

To make the most out of AEB, here are a few tips:

Use a Tripod: Since AEB involves taking multiple shots, it’s essential to keep the camera stable to avoid misalignment between exposures. A tripod helps ensure that all shots are perfectly aligned.

Check Your Settings: Before you start shooting, double-check your exposure bracketing settings to make sure they match your needs. Adjust the range and number of shots according to the scene’s dynamic range.

Post-Processing: After capturing your images, use editing software to blend the exposures together. Tools like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop can help you merge the images into a single HDR photograph.

AEB - Good or Bad? Conclusion

Auto Exposure Bracketing is an invaluable tool for capturing images with challenging lighting conditions. Whether you’re shooting a high-contrast scene or creating an HDR image, AEB ensures that you have multiple exposure options to choose from.

While the specifics of enabling AEB may vary between camera brands, the core concept remains the same: taking multiple exposures to increase the chances of a perfectly exposed image.

If you’re using a mid-level DSLR, follow the steps outlined to enable AEB and start experimenting with this feature.

By incorporating AEB into your photography workflow, you can handle difficult lighting situations with confidence and achieve more consistent results.

For more, read our guide to bracketing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is auto exposure bracketing (AEB)?

A camera feature that automatically takes a series of shots, one correctly exposed, one or more darker, and one or more brighter, so you can pick the best or blend them for high dynamic range.

When should I use exposure bracketing?

In high-contrast scenes where one exposure cannot hold both highlight and shadow detail (e.g. bright sky over a dark landscape), and for HDR blending. Also as insurance when exposure is tricky.

How do I set up AEB?

In the camera menu or drive settings, choose the number of frames and the stop spacing (e.g. -2, 0, +2), then shoot, usually in burst mode on a tripod so the frames align.

What is HDR and how does bracketing help?

HDR (high dynamic range) blends bracketed exposures into one image with detail from shadows to highlights. Bracketing captures those exposures; software merges them.

Do I need a tripod for exposure bracketing?

For blending into HDR, a tripod keeps the frames aligned and is strongly recommended. For simply picking the best single exposure, hand-holding in burst mode can be fine.