Canon 50D settings for HDR Photography

In previous posts (My Canon 50D settings and My Custom Function settings on the Canon 50D) I mentioned my Canon 50D settings for general photography.
For HDR photography I use many of the same settings. There are a few exceptions which I want to explain here.

Light metering
For HDR photography consider using spot metering to measure the total dynamic range of your image.
Determine the exposure needed for the darkest and lightest spots while maintaining a constant aperture. The lowest and highest shutter speed are the lower and upper bounds of the dynamic range to be captured.

Focusing Mode
I use the following settings:

• AF mode One Shot or AI Focus
• Custom Function IV-1:2 Metering start/Meter+AF Start
• Custom Function IV-2:1 AF-ON/AE lock button switch

‘Custom Function 'IV-1:2 Metering start/Meter+AF Start’ configures the Canon 50D to start focusing when a button on the back of the body is pressed (AF-On or the ‘star’ button) and not when the shutter button is half pressed. This way multiple photos can be made, while the focus is not altered.
‘Custom Function IV-2:1 AF-ON/AE lock button switch’ sets the ‘star’ button as the ‘start focusing’ button. I am using this configuration this because my previous Canon 350D body used the same button.

Live View
Consider using Live View while shooting the HDR sequence. This has several advantages:

• The mirror does not slap up and down. This minimizes camera shake which is especially handy during long exposures
• In Live View You can display a live histogram (press the FUNC button). This gives you an indication if you have exposed enough for the shadow detail.

Shooting Mode

Shooting the multiple photos can be done in several ways. 

When only three are needed, you can use auto exposure bracketing in conjunction with high speed continuous shooting. 

Manual shooting

In manual mode, I start shooting with the fastest shutter speed necessary.  

High Speed Continuous Shooting
I use high speed continuous shooting when I am shooting 3 pictures with automatic exposure bracketing (AEB).

The Restaurant at the Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London has a restaurant with beautiful lighting and decorations on the walls and ceiling. This is a HDR photo consisting of three separate photos. This way I can show you the details in the windows as well as the lighting mounted at the ceiling.

View from the National Portrait Gallery

The restaurant of the National Portrait Gallery has a nice view of London. Of course at lunch time the sun light can be rather harsh.
Excellent light conditions to experiment with HDR!



The picture was taken with a Canon 50D, hand held, auto bracketing on -2, 0 and +2 EV, continuous high speed.
Processing was done with DXO Optics, Photomatix Pro 3.2, and Photoshop CS3.

For comparision, here is the photo at 0 EV. This is the photo which I would normally have!

Battling dust on the sensor of my digital SLR

I want to share with you how I keep my digital sensor free of dust.
First, let me explain why this is important. My first encounter with 'dust bunnies' was in 2006:



Above the horizon at the left you can see some dark spots. At first I thought the specks were from the windshield screen. Inspections of other photos made that day revealed the specks were inside the SLR.

The dust is more clearly visible at higher aperture values like f11 and higher. So how to remove the dust from the sensor.

Enter the following gadget: Visibledust Arctic Butterfly 724.

With this gadget you can pick up the dust from the sensor. Before you use the brush, you spin it with the built in electrical motor. The brush gets a static charge due to the movement. Then you put your camera in the sensor cleaning mode. Make sure you use a fully charged battery. Between swipes you spin the brush again to remove the dust and recharge it.

I use this brush to clean my sensor before every important event.
I have noticed though, that the Canon 50D picks up less dust than the Canon 350D.

Canon flash masterclass

A very good masterclass on flash has been posted on the Canon Professional Network. A must see for Canon flash photographers.

My Custom Function settings on the Canon 50D

Here's how I have configured my 50D Custom Functions.

• C.Fn I-5: 1 exposure bracketing sequence: -,0,+
  This sequence is easier when taking multiple photos for HDR processing on the computer.
  Note 090920: I am experimenting now with the default sequence of 0, -,+.
  The reason is that the - and the + photo can be an alternative over using all three pictures. Shooting the - and the + picture in order minimises the chance of ghosting.
  
• C.Fn I-6: 1 Exposure Safety Shift: Enable
  With this enabled, the camera will change the shutter speed (in Tv mode) or aperture (in Av mode) in order to obtain a correct exposure.
  
• C.Fn II-1:1 Long Exposure noise reduction: Auto
• C.Fn III-2:2 Only external flash emits
  I don't like the light flashes which the internal flash emits to help the auto focus system.
  
• C.Fn IV-1:2 Metering start/Meter+AF Start
• C.Fn IV-2:1 AF-ON/AE lock button switch
  The functions of the AF-ON and * buttons are switched. * starts the auto focus system.
  
• C.Fn IV-3:1 SET button set to Image Quality
• C.Fn IV-5:1 Ef-D focusing screen
  I use the Ef-D focusing screen. This focusing screen has horizontal and vertical lines wich help me to get straight horizons and straight vertical buildings on the photo.
  
• C.Fn IV-7:3 Assign FUNC. button Exposure comp/AEB setting
  

All other C.Fn settings are set to their factory defaults

My Canon 50D settings

Canon DSLR's can be configured in various ways, depending on how you like to work with the camera.
I do a lot of architecture, HDR and wedding photography. This has influenced the way my camera is configured.
Here are my default settings on the 50D before putting it away (based on firmware version 1.0.7):

• Program dial: P or Av
  I use P or Av mode so I don't have to fiddle with buttons before a quick shot. Just take the camera, switch on, focus and press the shutter button!
  
• ISO: 200 or Auto
  200 for low noise pictures, or Auto so the 50D helps me to maintain a fast enough shutter speed.
  
• White Balance: AWB
• Quality: RAW + JPEG Large Fine
  I shoot RAW in case the picture needs corrections. RAW gives you more possibilities than JPEG.
  
• AF Mode: AI Servo
  The 50D will keep on auto focusing as long as I press on the * button. See my upcoming post on C.Fn IV-2:1 AF-ON/AE lock button switch why I do this.
• Drive mode: single shot
• Beep off
  Don't annoy your surroundings with beeping noises. Your camera shutter makes enough sound!
  
• Shoot w/o card off
  Highly recommended! To prevent you think your are shooting pictures on a card, when you are not.
• Peripheral illumin. correct. Enable
  
• Color Space sRGB
• Picture Style Standard
  
• Highlight enable
  The ' blinkies' warn me which parts of the photo are over exposed.
  
• AF Point disable
• Histogram RGB
• Image jump w/ Screen
• Auto Power Off 4 min.
• Auto rotate
• INFO. button Camera set.
  
• Aperture: f4

I have also various Custom Functions settings which differ from the defaults. I will explain them in an upcoming post.