Am I asking The Impossible?

[bertam]

Im standing in a temple at the entrance to a darkish room in which there are food offerings to gods, idols and candles. I would like to have taken a shot which was obviously taken from outside but looking into the room. You can see the contents of the room are visible but unclear. Is there a technique or am I asking the impossible?

The opportunity for a fantastic photo was there but I haven't captured it. The image looks flat and uninteresting! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[NorthernFocus]

...Is there a technique or am I asking the impossible?...

Not at all impossible.

Does the camera that you shoot have a built in HDR function? That's one possibility and really about the only one if you want the image straight out of camera.

Another option, depending on the camera body you're shooting, would be to shoot in RAW, intentionally overexpose the lightest part of the exterior wall, and pull additional detail out of the shadows with post processing. I'd crop away the lightest part of the wall at top/bottom anyway as it adds nothing to the image.

[MrB]

It could depend on how (big) you want to display the photograph. There might be sufficient data already recorded in your file, particularly if it was shot in raw format, to selectively lift the detail out of the shadows. It is even possible to get something for a web page out of the JPEG in post #1.



Cheers.
Philip

[davidedric]

The other option is to use auto exposure bracketing (AEB) to take several images at different exposures and then combine them in your computer (there are various options).

Dave

[IzzieK]

How about focusing on the inside from the outside and then focusing on the outside then combining them together in pp?

[xpatUSA]

It could depend on how (big) you want to display the photograph. There might be sufficient data already recorded in your file, particularly if it was shot in raw format, to selectively lift the detail out of the shadows. It is even possible to get something for a web page out of the JPEG in post #1.



Cheers.
Philip

Good illustration, Philip.

And if there is some noise in the darker parts, some (most?) editors can do noise reduction based on luminance. Then perhaps a little increase in local contrast in the darker areas.

The foregoing assumes that the interest is in the colors and types of offerings rather than super-sharpness.

[ionian]

Another option would be to use spot metering to expose for the contents inside - then pull down the highlights outside the room if needed in post. You'll get lower noise levels this way than boosting the shadows. Having said that, two images merged would be another good call.

[Shadowman]

What is that warning symbol, is that a "don't touch" symbol? I would at the very least try flash, it might burn those brilliant reds but if you dial down the flash intensity you might get something usable. I'd be afraid of blowing the highlights on the silky golden colors and if this were to be printed I'd also be concerned about getting the reds out of gamut.

[bertam]

Thanks very much to everyone for sharing your methodology & experience!

[RBSinTo]

Bertam,
Even with my film gear, the problem is easy enough to solve.
This is the way we did it B.D. (Before Digital).
Take a meter reading inside the room.
Then wait outside until a meter reading gives you the difference in the exterior/interior exposures that you want, and fire away.
Robert

[William W]

What is that warning symbol, is that a "don't touch" symbol?

On the outside archway at the bottom of each?

It is a sign meaning "no foot-ware" - "no shoes".

WW