The new look for the Don Thomas Photographic Services website is complete. There are a few minor tweaks to iron out yet, but it is pretty much where I would like it.
The website can be viewed here. Please leave your comments in the guestbook and let me know what you think!
Thank you!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Exposure is everything!
Here's a tip that has been invaluable for me. You must remember that exposure is everything. Sure composition and subject matter play a role but if the image is not exposed properly, you may as well pack up and go home.
All meters, even the latest and greatest matrix meters, try to expose to medium (18%) gray. This is why your image of a beatuiful snow covered scene will look like it has gray snow. The meter is trying to make everything look medium gray, so it underexposes the image. Two ways to overcome this is to switch to manual and overexpose or to dial in some exposure compensation. The question is: How much do I adjust?
That's where this little chart comes into play. It is sickenly simple to remember and once you use it a few times, it becomes second nature.
Light Light ______, +2
Dark Light ______, +1
Medium _______, +/-0
Light Dark ______, -1
Dark Dark ______, -2
Just meter anything that fills the frame and is in the same light as your subject. i.e. grass, sidewalk, dirt, etc. Fill in the blank with whatever color it is you are metering. Let's say it's the grass at your feet, so we'll use green as our color. Does the grass look Dark Light Green? If so, dial in +1 exposure and shoot away. Is it Medium Green? Don't adjust and fire away. Nothing to meter? Use the palm of your hand, typically it's Dark Light, so +1. You don't have to focus, you are looking to meter the light.
So, for our snow covered scene that would definately be Light Light White so dial in +2 compensation and fire away.
All meters, even the latest and greatest matrix meters, try to expose to medium (18%) gray. This is why your image of a beatuiful snow covered scene will look like it has gray snow. The meter is trying to make everything look medium gray, so it underexposes the image. Two ways to overcome this is to switch to manual and overexpose or to dial in some exposure compensation. The question is: How much do I adjust?
That's where this little chart comes into play. It is sickenly simple to remember and once you use it a few times, it becomes second nature.
Light Light ______, +2
Dark Light ______, +1
Medium _______, +/-0
Light Dark ______, -1
Dark Dark ______, -2
Just meter anything that fills the frame and is in the same light as your subject. i.e. grass, sidewalk, dirt, etc. Fill in the blank with whatever color it is you are metering. Let's say it's the grass at your feet, so we'll use green as our color. Does the grass look Dark Light Green? If so, dial in +1 exposure and shoot away. Is it Medium Green? Don't adjust and fire away. Nothing to meter? Use the palm of your hand, typically it's Dark Light, so +1. You don't have to focus, you are looking to meter the light.
So, for our snow covered scene that would definately be Light Light White so dial in +2 compensation and fire away.
Exposed as metered.
+2 Exposure Compensation
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! I have been a photographer for over 20 years and there are numerous tips and tricks that I have learned that have helped me in many ways. From getting the proper exposure the first time to eliminating camera shake without spending a fortune. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you as well! Thanks for taking the time to read.
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