Bracketing

Bracketing is a technique photographers use to ensure they capture an image. When bracketing an exposure, a photographer will take a number of shots of the same image with different metered exposures. If a photographer can’t properly meter a scene (because of odd lighting, etc.), they will use the bracketing method.

Amateur photographers tend to use bracketing more, as it opens up room for error while allowing them to learn how metered exposures work. These days, many cameras come equipped with an auto-bracketing feature that will automatically shift the exposure setting in between shots when turned on.

While bracketing may seem like a useful technique for learning photographers however, it can also be tedious and wasteful. Having a series of pictures of the same image on the same roll means that you not only have to go through all of them, but you will ultimately have to dispose with most of them. Similarly, overuse of bracketing eventually gets expensive, as more film needs to be purchased to capture all of the necessary shots.

Consequently, some experts recommend limiting the use of the bracketing technique. The best times to bracket exposures tends to be when lighting is particularly difficult, such as extreme light or dark.