How to Take an HDR Photo with a Nikon D50 or Similar Digital SLR Camera (Video)
This is my first instructional photography video, so please excuse the camera shake. In this video, I’m showing you how to setup your camera to take the 3 differently exposed shots you will need to create an HDR photo.
In the video the steps are:
Set the dial to “P” “A” (aperture priority – per Helmut’s comment)
Go to “Menu”, Settings (pencil on the left), and scroll down to #12 (BKT Set), press the dial right, Go down to AE & Flash, press the dial right, Select 2.0 Step, and press the dial right “OK”.
Now you will see a BKT setting on your top LCD panel that looks like this:
Take 3 photos (each little black bar disappears once you take them in turn). Voila – you have the photos you need for your HDR.
The 3 consecutive photos taken from the shot in the video are here:
Each one is taken with a different exposure setting – the EV Steps. Once you combine them all in HDR processing software (I use Photomatix - get our exclusive 15% off coupon code) and tweak the settings, the resulting photo should look like this:
Maybe next time I’ll take a photo of something more exciting than some garbage cans and a driveway 
UPDATE: here’s an amazing HDR video tutorial my friend Trey did! (11 hours of video instruction – this guy is the real deal)
![Photo by Môsieur J. [version 7.0.1]](http://visualphotoguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/shoes-95x94.jpg)
I just looked up Photomatix in Google and the first thing that came up was your Aug 10th post about the discount. Does this still apply? I’m hoping to get it for my birthday
Much enjoyed reading the blog, thanks for all the useful tips and info
Yes, the VPG15 discount code still works for Photomatix.
I love seeing the world through tonemapped images.
A tutorial on how to take HDR Photos using a Nikon D50. It includes a video of the setup….
Your a genius – Many Thanks!!!
could u help me with that??
thanks
Here’s the short of it: Go to HDR > Generate > Browse. Click on the 3 photos while holding down Ctrl. Once the 3 photos are selected, click ok, ok. Once the photo is up, go to HDR > Tone mapping and make your adjustments. Than save the photo.
Could I just use 3-6 different exposure comp.?
also all I have for editing is what came with the NIKON.
What will I need for HDR merging
For merging you need a program like Photomatix.
LATER DARREN.
Should you shoot in RAW vs any other setting when shooting HDR? And also, you mentioned above that you could take between 3-6 pictures for the merge. What bracket setting should it be instead of “2.0″ to capture the 6 images? Hope this makes sense.
Shooting RAW is generally better than JPG for HDR software like Photomatix. Also, if you shoot RAW, you can create “Pseudo HDRs” out of a single picture, which is nice if you have moving objects, such as a car.
i am still at a loss – CSM/Setup Menu, and set it to detailed (not simple).
but when i scroll down to #12 it’s greyed out (set at ‘off’). i have tried evrything but cannot find out what is preventing me fom accessing the BKT settings!!
Any other ideas, Help!!
Regards
@Steve: Hmmm. I’m not sure what it could be that’s interfering with the menu. It must be one of your other settings conflicting with it.
I thought perhaps a firmware update might need to be done but it doesn’t make much sense to me…
Steve, sounds as though you don’t have your mode dial on P A S or M
Good article, Thanks
Regards Ivan
i thought my D50 cud’nt make HDR shots but now i can thanks to ur
vid!
Kudos dude!
On the Nikon D60 where is BRACKETING MODE ?????????
you can also created almost the same effect in elements by boosting the contrast and saturation of your image, then making a copy and using layers blending modes
try this duplicate background boost sat and contrast,call it layer 1 duplicate that turn to multiply layer lower opacity to around 80%
copy layer 1 again make it a hard light layer play with the opacity
copy layer 1 a third time and make it a soft light layer play with the opacity once happy merge visible and wham o you have a similar effect to HDR
oh one question while i am here can you have continues shutter fire on the D50???
Thanks for the post! I have had my D50 for severl years now and have never been completely satisfied with the pictures from it. i think that is because i have never used it to its full potential. I am very eager to try taking HDR photographs now. 2 questions for you though…
#1-Can i produce HDR photographs with Photoshop? if not what do you recommend?
#2- my camera is still completely stock, what do you recommend purchasing for the camera to take better photographs.
Thank You!