Humans vs Cameras: 

Simultaneously, the human eye can detect and process a larger range of light than any camera could at a single exposure. Longer/shorter exposures and the combination of multiple frames can bring cameras, and the images they produce, up to the similar complexity of the human eye and in some cases, can even have an advantage over human eyesight. 

Definition: 

Bracketing is the process of photographing a group of the same image, changing a single setting (such as exposure) for each shot. This can result in a range of images like the ones below 

Why?: 

This process can prove to be extremely useful in photography as the range of images provides the option to choose which exposure worked the best in the image or to even combine them together, creating a photograph with ‘high dynamic range’, otherwise known as HDR images that typically have a large tonal range. 

How?: 

(manually) 

Exposure bracketing is typically carried out by adjusting the shutter speed of the camera, which in turn allows more or less light through the lens when taking the image. Manually, exposure bracketing is best achieved with the use of a tripod due to the risk of camera shake when using a slower shutter speed, which can result in blurry images. Tripod also make sure the camera’s view is static, preventing trouble later if you want to combine frames 

HDR: 

HDR can be done in using various software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop or other third-party software. A benefit of using HDR is that it’s a fast process, allowing for the completion of bulk work at a fast rate. It also involves the technique of ‘tone mapping’, which allows you to control the range of shadows and highlights. Landscape photographers often rely on and benefit from HDR. However, if HDR is done incorrectly it can result in images that look harsh with garish colours. The finished product may also be lower quality than images produced through compositing. 

Compositing: 

Compositing produces images that are much more realistic, high quality and provides more control over the range of tones within the image. A downside is that it’s extremely time consuming and requires a basic understanding of layers and layer masks. 

TECHNICAL

Adams uses grayish colours ranging from deep, dark blacks to more forgiving natural whites as was created with help of his own light grading system in order to implement a grey-scale image. He uses natural lighting extensively, accompanied by a high tonal range to present a highly contrasted image that highlights the darker areas with use of low exposure, however still retaining detail throughout the image, even in the dark shadows as a result of the dull, overcast skies above.

This contrast/tonal range as perceived in the photo helps add an intense, fierce tone, adding to the idea of the mountains seeming rather formidable which in turn gives the landscapes an austere and intimidating perception, helping demonstrate its size and beauty to the observer effectively. The high tonal range additionally causes the sunlight reflecting off the river to stand out due to its bright grayish colour, as well as the abrupt increase the shadows in the dark rock on the mountains and the darker trees in the foreground which create this extraordinary contrast.

To achieve this, he has most likely used a tripod to help keep his photos stable in order to avoid blur and loss of focus in his images, which we can see has worked wonders. As well as this, he probably used a slow shutter speed in order to capture the significant detail and to be able to focus the entire image with both the foreground and background being of high resolution, creating the high tonal range that can be distinguished here.

VISUAL

This image has a plethora of different textures as can be observed from the bright, glimmering water in the river to the dark, rugged, hard rock mountain range in the background as well as the trees and scrub-land which subtly break up the contrast. Furthermore, the overcast skies made up of grey clouds, just like the trees, create a balance of colour and shades throughout the image and is a perfect example of the theme of nature and its beauty which is what Adams as well as many other romanticist photographers strove to photograph.

CONCEPTUAL

The ideals of Romanticism in art and photography are that nature is powerful, beautiful and unpredictable. This is highlighted by the sky with occasional breaks where sunlight pierces through as well as the angelic light coming from behind the mountain, which imposes over the whole scene and creates a sense of superiority, emphasizing it’s bold and striking appearance.

CONTEXTUAL

In context, Adams himself spent a large portion of his life taking photographs in the West of America, especially in Yosemite and other parts of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This was the core to what inspired him to excel in his photography, representing the untouched landscapes and the power of nature found in these places through his unique photography and his desire to show others, as best he could, the true essence and awe he felt when in such areas by capturing what he saw through his very own eyes.

Adams was also the co-founder of Group f/64 for which he invented the Zone System, (a technique of translating light into specific densities onto negatives and paper), giving photographers better control over their finished photographs. Adams is also known for promoting the idea of ‘visualization’, in which the photographer ‘sees’ in their mind’s eye the final photo before it is taken. This helped the photographer to achieve all of their desired aesthetic and mechanical effects in his photography as outlined previously.