Lesson 1 – Photography for HDR – Camera Settings & Bracketing

Learn to Capture Better Bracketed Images Manually

This lesson teaches you how to set up your camera properly for HDR photography using reliable, repeatable techniques. You’ll learn which HDR photography camera settings matter most, how to use exposure bracketing manually or with AEB, and why so many HDR results fall short before the photo editing step even begins.

Avoid HDR photography mistakes before you start editing

If your HDR images come out blurry, blown out, or full of color halos—you’re not alone. Most HDR issues start in-camera, not in post-processing. This lesson shows you how to avoid the most common HDR photography mistakes by using the right setup, the right camera settings, and the right photography techniques.

You’ll learn the difference between Auto bracketing and manual HDR photography, how to shoot bracketed exposures with purpose, and how to check that you’ve captured the full dynamic range of a scene before importing your images into Lightroom or Luminar Neo.

Topics covered in this lesson

• What HDR photography is—and when to use it (as well as when not to)
• The best HDR photography camera settings for clean bracketed exposures
• How to bracket exposures manually and with AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing)
• Step-by-step camera setup for shooting effective HDR bracketed images
• Why using a tripod is essential (and how to get by without one)
• Understanding the histogram and how to expose to capture the full tonal range
• The best camera settings for HDR: ISO, White Balance, Shutter Speed, Aperture
• Scene types that work well with HDR—and those that don’t
• Common HDR photography mistakes (ghosting, bad alignment, neon colors) and how to avoid them
• Special considerations when photographing people, blue skies, or motion
• A quick overview of software options for HDR processing

What you will learn in this lesson

HDR photography can feel overwhelming before you even begin editing. You might wonder whether your camera’s HDR mode is enough, or why your bracketed exposures all look identical. This lesson breaks down the fundamentals of capturing images for HDR—the right way—so that your editing process goes smoothly from the start.

Here are some common questions and answers about HDR photography.

Should I use in-camera HDR or manual bracketing?

The in-camera HDR mode or setting should be used sparingly because the camera does all the work for you, but you have no control over the look of the final image.

Bracketing is the better choice when you want full control and clean results in post-processing. In this video, you’ll learn how to do manual bracketing as well as use the AEB (auto exposure bracketing) setting on your camera.

How many exposures do I need for HDR?

This lesson walks you through how to evaluate your scene’s dynamic range and determine the right number of brackets. You’ll learn why three exposures might be enough in one case, and why a sunset or interior shot may need more than three. So the answer is, it depends.

Why do my bracketed shots all look the same?

If your camera settings aren’t locked down, you can end up with three nearly identical images. That could mean your images aren’t bracketed far enough apart. So you’ll learn how to use Manual Mode or AEB the right way, and what to look for on the histogram to confirm you’ve captured the full tonal range and done the bracketing correctly.

Can I shoot HDR handheld, or do I need a tripod?

This is one of the most common questions we receive. While a tripod is best, handheld HDR is possible. You can increase your success rate with faster shutter speeds and proper technique. See the video lesson for more tips.

What is the best ISO and White Balance for HDR?

We’ll cover the settings that lead to clean HDR merged images, and how things like Auto ISO and Auto White Balance can silently sabotage your results. You’ll learn how to lock in consistency and minimize noise before you ever hit merge in your photo editing software.

Want to learn HDR photography the right way?

This is just one part of our full, step-by-step HDR Photography course that takes you from in-camera setup to final editing in Lightroom Classic or Luminar Neo.

You’ll learn how to choose the right settings for clean, bracketed exposures, avoid common HDR mistakes, and merge your images for natural results—without the harsh, overprocessed look. Whether you’re photographing landscapes, architecture, or interiors, the complete course gives you the full workflow so you can create stunning HDR images every time.

Get access to the complete HDR Photography course