Stacking Multiple Exposures

If the conditions are correct, stack those images! This snap of America’s (and Pittsburgh’s) favorite ketchup factory is a prime example of what can be achieved when stacking a bracketed exposure.  For this image, there were areas of the image that were extremely bright and there were areas that fell into a dark shadow. In order to create a balanced exposure, 5 images were taken. A optimum exposure (or center exposure) with 2 images pushing into overexposure (to bring details out of the shadows) and 2 images pushing into underexposure (to preserve the details the sky) Stacking and aligning these images together will produce an image with pleasing dynamic range from corner to corner. 

I mentioned using stacking when “conditions are correct” so what conditions are not? If the subject matter contains moving objects (cars, boats, waves, flags) then stacking will reduce some pretty crazy (and unpleasing) effects. Sharpness is reduced and strange artifacts are introduced. 

Capturing and editing this image this evening inspired me to spread the word on the benefits of the stacked image. When used tastefully and in the right conditions the results can be pure magic.