Instruction Tutorial: Using Bracketing and Processing in Lightroom and Photoshop
Part 1: Using Bracketing
Step 1: Set Up Your Camera for Bracketing
1. Enable Bracketing: Locate the bracketing option in your camera menu. This is often labeled as
“BKT” or “Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)”.
2. Choose the Number of Shots: Select how many bracketed shots you want to take (typically 3, 5, or
7). For this tutorial, we will use 3 shots.
3. Set Exposure Difference: Set the exposure difference between each shot (usually between 1 to 3
stops). For this tutorial, set it to 2 stops.
4. Select Shooting Mode: Set your camera to continuous shooting mode to capture the bracketed shots
quickly.
Step 2: Compose and Focus
1. Compose Your Shot: Frame your shot as you normally would.
2. Focus: Focus on your subject. If using manual focus, ensure it’s set correctly. Step 3: Capture
the Bracketed Shots
1. Stabilize Your Camera: Use a tripod to keep your camera stable.
2. Capture the Shots: Press the shutter button (or use a remote shutter release) to capture the
bracketed shots in quick succession.

Part 2: Processing Bracketed Shots in Lightroom and Photoshop
Step 1: Importing Photos into Lightroom
1. Open Lightroom: Launch Adobe Lightroom.
2. Import Photos: Click on the “Import” button and select your bracketed shots from your memory
card or computer.
Step 2: Merging Photos to HDR in Lightroom
1. Select Bracketed Photos: In the Library module, select the bracketed photos you want to merge.
2. Merge to HDR: Right-click on the selected photos, go to “Photo Merge,” and choose “HDR” (or use
the shortcut Ctrl+H on Windows or Cmd+H on Mac).
3. HDR Merge Preview: In the HDR Merge Preview window, check “Auto Align” and “Auto Settings.” If
there are moving objects in your shots, also check “Deghost Amount” (choose Low, Medium, or High
based on the movement).
4. Merge: Click “Merge” to create the HDR image. Lightroom will generate a new DNG file. Step 3:
Adjusting HDR Image in Lightroom
1. Develop Module: Go to the Develop module by clicking “Develop” in the top menu.
2. Basic Adjustments: Use the sliders to adjust Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites,
and Blacks to fine-tune your HDR image.
3. Tone Curve: Adjust the Tone Curve for more precise control over the brightness and contrast.
4. Color Adjustments: Use the HSL/Color panel to adjust the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance of
specific colors.
5. Sharpening and Noise Reduction: Apply sharpening and noise reduction in the Detail panel. Step
4: Exporting from Lightroom to Photoshop
1. Edit in Photoshop: Right-click on your HDR image and select “Edit In” > “Edit in Adobe
Photoshop” (or use the shortcut Ctrl+E on Windows or Cmd+E on Mac).
2. Choose Editing Options: In the dialog box that appears, choose “Edit a Copy with Lightroom
Adjustments” and click “Edit”.
Step 5: Final Adjustments in Photoshop
1. Check Layers: Your image will open as a new layer in Photoshop.
2. Curves Adjustment Layer: Add a Curves adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves)
for more refined contrast adjustments.
3. Dodge and Burn: Use the Dodge (O) and Burn (O) tools to selectively lighten and darken areas of
your image.
4. Clone Stamp and Healing Brush: Use the Clone Stamp (S) and Healing Brush (J) tools to remove any
unwanted artifacts or distractions.
5. Sharpening: Apply additional sharpening if needed (Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask or High Pass
filter).
Step 6: Save and Export Your Final Image
1. Save Your Work: Save your edited image in Photoshop (File > Save) to ensure the changes are
saved back to Lightroom.
2. Export from Lightroom: In Lightroom, select your image and click on “Export.” Choose your export
settings (file type, resolution, etc.) and click “Export.”
By following these steps, you can effectively use bracketing to capture a wider dynamic range and

then process your images in Lightroom and Photoshop to achieve stunning HDR results.