Inside out view at a Cades Cove historic barn (near the cove visitor center). The interior was really dark. The exposure range from the darkest areas to the holes in the barn's side was about 12-14 stops - far in excess of what a digital sensor (or film for that matter I guess) can handle. This was done by shooting two shots - one exposed for the dark and one for the light - and combining them by making a tonal contrast mask. Not perfect but it gets the idea across. Standing in the barn, you'd never guess that the wood had such a rich brown tone. Oh, it was cold & rainy which is what got me in here looking to begin with.
While I was experimenting with this shot, another photographer stopped to talk - without his gear except for a lightmeter. He got interested, got his gear, and returned - with a 8x10 view camera. When I left he was under the hood of the beast doing whatever viewfinder camera shooters do. I'd really be interested in seeing what he got from that impressive piece of gear.