STEP BY STEP

Create an HDR image in-camera

Get set up

We’re using our Nikon D750 with a wide-angle 24mm f/2.8 lens to capture as much of the stairwell as possible. To achieve sharp shots, we set the camera on a tripod at the bottom of the building beneath the stairwell, and aimed it up towards the top of the tower.

Have a look

We then flipped out the D750’s Live View screen to fine-tune our composition. If your Nikon doesn’t have a flip-out screen, you’ll have to crouch down to see the Live View screen, or look through the viewfinder. Once everything’s nicely lined up, we can continue…

Switch to JPEG

The HDR mode can only be used when your Nikon is set into JPEG quality, and cannot be used when shooting Raw (NEF). In your Photo Shooting Menu scroll down until you see the option ‘HDR (high dynamic range)’. You have the options of HDR mode and HDR strength.

HDR mode

HDR mode gives you three options. On (single photo) means your camera will continue shooting normally after one HDR shot. On (series) will continue shooting HDR images until you head back into the menu and switch it to the third option, which is simply Off.

Finesse the shot

HDR strength will determine the intensity of HDR on your final image. In most cases we recommend sticking with Auto; you may want to try High or Extra high if your scene is extremely high-contrast, but be careful not to overdo it: Extra high is usually too strong.

Set the exposure

Use a narrow aperture of around f/16 for good depth of field so your whole scene is sharp from the bottom of the staircase right to the top. You can use Aperture Priority or Manual mode; today we’re using Manual mode with a shutter speed of 1/2 sec and ISO 500.