Why Underexposure Is Your Secret Weapon!

Photography is all about capturing moments, and sometimes those moments are going to be found in low-light situations. This often leads to reducing the shutter speed to let more light in but that can result in blurry images, so what do you do? 

One Solution To This Problem is Underexposing Your Images. 

In this blog, I’ll explore the advantages of underexposure and how you can utilise it not only to capture sharper images but also as a secret weapon to add drama and depth to your photos.

So, what exactly is underexposing?

Simply put, it’s intentionally reducing the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor, and that’s it. When you underexpose an image, you simply make it darker, and this is achieved by changing one or more of your settings. One way is by increasing your shutter speed, which is crucial when trying to capture fast-moving subjects in low light and concert photography is a perfect example of this. 

The temptation, when shooting concerts, is to lower the shutter speed to let more light into the camera but it’s a mistake because it results in blurry images. Sure the pictures are brighter but the trap you fall into is motion blur, and because the subject is always moving around the stage, a slower shutter speed always results in blurry images. The trick is to use a faster shutter speed to capture a sharp image but it will obviously be underexposed unless you change one of the other settings like aperture or ISO. Remember that there’s a trade-off when you change any of the settings on your camera though and with ISO it’s digital noise. 

I would prefer to underexpose the image and have it sharp with less noise than have it brighter with more noise and motion blur when I’m shooting live music. With editing, you can recover the details in the underexposed parts of the image but you can’t really remove motion blur. My basic settings for shooting concerts are to have a fast shutter speed, normally around 320/sec, the lowest possible Aperture setting, or f-stop number that the lens allows so then the only setting I really need to change, depending on the available light, is the ISO setting. Now obviously, if you understand your camera settings you can still use a faster shutter speed and get a perfect exposure using the right aperture and ISO combination, so there shouldn’t be any need to underexpose your pictures, I’m simply saying that if you do, it’s not a problem because you can fix it in the edit. 

Mary J Blige was one of the first big artists I got to shoot with and I made the mistake of lowering my shutter speed to get a properly exposed image. As I’ve said the trade-off for this is motion blur which is clearly visible in the picture above. In the picture below I increased my shutter speed and underexposed the image so it was sharper with less motion blur and I fixed the underexposure in editing. 

4 Good Reasons To UnderExpose Your Images

Are you tired of producing dull and uninspiring photos? Do you want to capture images that stand out and make a lasting impression on your audience? 

While your camera is capable of making good exposures in many situations, there are times when it fails to read the scene properly and produces unsatisfactory results. It’s in those situations that you need to take control of your camera’s exposure settings to get the correct exposure. 

Underexposing is a technique that involves intentionally lowering the exposure settings of your camera to produce darker and more dramatic images.

Here are 4 good reasons to underexpose your images.

1. To Compensate For Loss of Highlights

When you underexpose your photos, you allow more details and textures to emerge from the shadows. This is especially useful when photographing subjects with intricate patterns or textures, such as clothing, architecture, or nature. Underexposure can help to bring out the fine details and create a more interesting and dynamic image.

When photographing scenes with white and dark subjects in the same frame, underexposing can help you capture details in the highlights. By underexposing the shot, you can bring back the highlight details and brighten the dark shadows in post-processing. Here's an example of the point I'm making. In this first image the highlights, which are obviously the candle lights, are lost because I've overexposed the shot.

But in this second shot, I underexposed the image to retain the highlights and I brought up the details in the shadows when I edited the image later. 

When you take a photograph with a lot of bright areas, such as a landscape with a bright sky or a portrait with a bright background, it can be difficult to capture all the detail in the highlights. This is because the camera's sensor can only capture a certain range of light, and if the bright areas are too bright, they will be overexposed, and the details will be lost.

However, if you under-expose your photograph, you can capture more details in the darker areas of the image, while still maintaining some detail in the highlights. This is because when you under-expose, you are reducing the amount of light that is hitting the sensor, which allows you to capture more details in the darker and brighter areas of the image.

2. To Use A Faster Shutter Speed

Have you ever been stuck, shooting in conditions with next to no light and your shutter speed is too slow? It can be incredibly frustrating, but fear not, because underexposing is a clever technique that can help you to harness a faster shutter speed, so you can get that perfect shot.

If you're shooting in Manual or one of the semi-automatic modes like Aperture Priority, simply set the Exposure Compensation feature to minus one f-stop. This simple trick produces a darker image because the camera is forced to increase the shutter speed by one exposure stop. The result is that you get a faster shutter speed, which means less blur in your image.

Now, I know what you might be thinking - won't a darker image ruin my shot? But don't worry, the beauty of underexposing is that you can easily fix the brightness of your image using software like Lightroom and Photoshop. You can brighten it up without any negative impact on the quality of your image.

Here’s an image I underexposed because I wanted to capture the phone lights in the crowd but I obviously wanted to make sure the artist I was shooting remained sharp so I increased my shutter speed. I knew the subject would be underexposed but that I could recover the details later and that’s what I did. 

So next time you find yourself struggling with slow shutter speeds in low light, remember that underexposing is a powerful technique that can help you get the shot you want. By using this technique, you'll be able to capture stunning, blur-free images that you'll be proud to share with the world.

3. To Capture Low-Key Images

Underexposure can help you to create low-key images that have a more atmospheric mood. By lowering the exposure, you can create more shadows and selectively reveal details in certain parts of the frame. This technique is particularly useful when photographing subjects such as portraits, still life, and landscapes. 

One image type often associated with underexposure is the low-key image. Low-key images are characterised by their predominantly dark tones, with very little light in the image. These images often have a moody, dramatic feel, and can be incredibly impactful. Underexposing images like this adds drama and contrast and by darkening the shadows and reducing the brightness of the highlights, you can create a more dynamic range of tones and add a sense of depth and dimension to your images.

4. Add Drama And Emotion To Your Images

Photography is an art form that allows us to capture emotions and moments that can last a lifetime. One way to enhance the emotional impact of your images is by intentionally underexposing them. 

Firstly, underexposing your images can help to create a more dramatic and moody atmosphere. By intentionally reducing the amount of light in your image, you can create a sense of tension and mystery that can add depth and dimension to your photograph. This can be particularly effective when shooting portraits, as it can help to convey the emotions of your subject in a more powerful way.

Secondly, underexposure can be used to highlight certain elements in your image. By darkening the background, you can draw attention to the subject and make them stand out more. This can be particularly effective when shooting in low-light conditions or when trying to capture fast-moving subjects. By using underexposure, you can create a more dynamic and impactful image that captures the energy and emotion of the moment. 

Another benefit of underexposing your images is that it can give you more creative control over the final image. By intentionally reducing the amount of light, you can create a unique and creative image that stands out from the crowd. This can be particularly useful when trying to capture a certain mood or emotion in your photograph.

Underexposure is a powerful tool for adding drama and emotion to your images. By intentionally reducing the amount of light in your image, you can produce a sense of darkness and mystery that draws the viewer in. Whether you're photographing a dramatic landscape, a moody portrait, or an abstract composition, underexposing your images can help you create an emotional response from your audience.

So How Can You Create Low-Key images Using Underexposure?

1. Use Manual mode - To underexpose your images, you need to have full control over your camera settings. Manual mode is the best way to achieve this.

 2. Adjust your exposure settings - Depending on the lighting conditions, you may need to adjust your exposure settings to achieve the desired effect. Try increasing your aperture or shutter speed number or decreasing your ISO number. 

 3. Experiment with lighting - Lighting is key to creating low-key images. Experiment with different light sources and angles to see what works best for your subject.

 4. Use a tripod - In low light situations, even a small movement can cause blur in your images. A tripod can help keep your camera steady and prevent camera shake.

Final Thoughts

Underexposing your images is a powerful and versatile technique that can transform your photos from ok to amazing and it can help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you want to compensate for the loss of highlights, utilise a faster shutter speed, create low-key images, or add drama and emotion to your photos, underexposure can help you achieve your creative vision. 

By intentionally reducing the amount of light, you can create a more moody and dramatic atmosphere, highlight certain elements in your image, and give yourself more creative control over the final image. So, next time you're out shooting, don't be afraid to try underexposing your images and see what kind of emotional impact you can create.

If you want to take your photography skills to the next level, take a look at the Perfect Picture Program. In it, you’ll learn all about my SIMPLE system that will help you to start taking great pictures immediately with the camera you already own.