I would say that I do slightly underexpose.
Though remember, when shooting RAW, you can easily expose EXACTLY for highlights (not underexposed), which will give you underexposed shadow/ lack of shadow detail. You can tweak the SAME exposure TWICE in Camera Raw, and using a layer mask, brush in the proper shadow exposure into the proper highlight exposure.
I don't have to do that as much because of the very high dynamic range of my camera (one of the big reasons I bought it), and did not have to in this shot, but I have done that and it is a viable technique.
You could just the same expose for highlights, expose for shadows, and combine the two separate exposures using layer mask and brushes (as opposed to tweaking the same exposure for one or the other).
It is generally easier to bring out shadow detail (though it gets grainy very quickly) than to try and bring down or recover blown out or even slightly overexposed highlights.
I personally can't stand blown out highlights. I find that to be an enormous visual distraction. I had rather have things looking a lottle "subdued" than have overexposure.
Though remember, when shooting RAW, you can easily expose EXACTLY for highlights (not underexposed), which will give you underexposed shadow/ lack of shadow detail. You can tweak the SAME exposure TWICE in Camera Raw, and using a layer mask, brush in the proper shadow exposure into the proper highlight exposure.
I don't have to do that as much because of the very high dynamic range of my camera (one of the big reasons I bought it), and did not have to in this shot, but I have done that and it is a viable technique.
You could just the same expose for highlights, expose for shadows, and combine the two separate exposures using layer mask and brushes (as opposed to tweaking the same exposure for one or the other).
It is generally easier to bring out shadow detail (though it gets grainy very quickly) than to try and bring down or recover blown out or even slightly overexposed highlights.
I personally can't stand blown out highlights. I find that to be an enormous visual distraction. I had rather have things looking a lottle "subdued" than have overexposure.
