Hi everyone,
Please excuse me for my silly question. I am just learning both photography and editing using darktable.
I’m looking for some advice on the “correct” way to handle exposure when the subject (e.g., a small bird or insect) occupies only a tiny fraction of the frame.
When I adjust the exposure slider to make the overall image look “right” to my eyes, the subject almost always ends up overexposed/blown out. However, if I pull the exposure back to protect the details on the subject, the rest of the image looks significantly underexposed and muddy.
In these scenarios, what is the general rule of thumb?
Should I prioritize the subject’s exposure and ignore the histogram/waveform warnings for the rest of the frame?
Is it acceptable to let the background fall onto deep shadow (or even clip) as long as the subject looks good?
Or is this a sign that I should be using more targeted local adjustments (masks/brushes) rather than the global exposure slider?
I’d love to hear how experts here would edit these. Here is an example of the type of photos I am referring to.
I would personally set the exposure to taste based on the subject. Then maybe tone equalizer to bring up the background a little (advanced tab after setting the mask). Then other stuff to your taste.
Hi Raghu, A very nice photo. Since you haven’t posted the raw file, I can’t develop it. However, here is my take. You should crop the photo to your taste, then set the exposure on the main subject before moving on to the other modules
If you were willing to share this photo it would make an interesting PlayRaw for you to learn from. I don’t see a problem with your edit. In the exposure module if using the eyedropper on the image selecting mainly the bird and not the dark background would help.
This lightbulb icon activates a white border around the image to assist with deciding on correct exposure, contrast etc.
If this is the case, you can use tone equalizer to level out high dynamic scenes and additionally apply some local exposure changes. There are no rules, it’s all a matter of taste.
Sometimes, we have to resign ourselves to accepting what reality offers us.
When a bright subject has the misfortune of standing in front of a dark background, we—as the sovereign creator—are obliged to make a choice, however cruel it may seem.
We produce images so that our fellow human beings can enjoy them. Therefore, we must ask ourselves what will motivate them to look at our images with kindness, hoping for their admiration.
Here, what will appeal most, the bird or the background? Can’t this background, dark as it is, play the same role as a black velvet setting for a jewel?
When taking the shot, the exposure, if adjusted to capture the brightness of the bird, will be slightly higher than a ‘mid-range’ setting, I would say +1EV. This will make the development process easier.
In any case, readers will not be overly interested in the background, as their attention will be focused on the subject.
In summary, I would leave the background dark, emphasising the details of the plumage if possible, which will give the bird a sense of depth.
I would say the brightness you have chosen is all in all quite OK. A bit of contrasts here and there and without too many changes the picture doesn’t look “muddy” anymore, but you have a nice and lively little bird. (at least in my eyes)
