Polypody fern, Polypodium sp.

This is a fused image, meaning multiple frames were merged to produce an image file with more information than would be available from a single frame. Usually this is done when the tonal range of the scene – from the darkest dark to the lightest light – exceeds the sensor’s ability to capture it all. So three to five frames are recorded, each with a different exposure, that span the range of the scene. These are then merged using one of several techniques (HDR, fusion, manual tonal masking, etc.). Do I have to mention that the use of a stout tripod is a must? If there be any doubt… it is.

But in this case the range was not a problem. The technique was used to give the information, particularly the darker tonal values – those from middle gray on down, more integrity. It is akin to multi-sampling or down-sampled high bit rate recordings in digital audio. The higher the sampling rate the more integrity the results have – cleaner, more natural, more dimensional, less grunge and other digital artifacts. Friend and fellow photographer Bob Clark has started using this technique to great advantage. His recently processed images look for all the world like very high quality large format work! It is pretty exciting.

My new camera, a Nikon D800e, has the ability to shoot and merge up to ten frames in camera! I don’t yet know if the merger occurs as a 32bit file, but it does seem to yield files that are cleaner in the shadows when using this technique. This is particularly useful for those who, like me, tend to do a lot of work in the early dawn and near sunset hours. Another benefit is that I can chuck the idea of needing an expensive variable neutral density filter when shooting moving water… just take a number of frames in merge mode!

50mm Zeiss Makro-Planar, Nikon 800e, Lr4, Photomatix Pro, Ps CS6.