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09/21/2005 09:53:24 AM · #1 |
OK, I'm looking for a bit of advice from some of the pro's here on in camera mertering (tips & tricks). I think I have a "decent" understanding, but I think a mini-tutorial on when to use spot, center and average could really help a lot of people with their pictures.
Also a brief explanation of what you meter off of in pictures, such as susnsets or dark area with bright highlights. I'm sure there are lots of people here that know MUCH more about this than I do so any info would be much appreacited. And I'm sure this would help a lot of people here.
Any links to existing info would also be appreciated. Thanks. |
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09/21/2005 10:12:07 AM · #2 |
The use of spot, center, or average completely depends on the scene you are looking at. There is no cover-all rule of thumb that works.
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09/21/2005 10:36:24 AM · #3 |
Have a look HERE
Canons photoworkshop, the "rebel XT" leasons have one on Metering that illustrate when the each type is appropiate, plus a hold load of other stuff. Hope it helps
MARK |
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09/21/2005 10:39:38 AM · #4 |
I think "tips and tricks" is the right thing to ask for because there is no single way to meter.
I tend to favor center weighted metering so I develop habits that are consistent with other camera that I might have a chance to use, like a rangefinder or older medium format. From there I will shift to evaluative when necessary. I would like to be able to use spot on occastion too, but 10D doesn't go there.
I recently picked up a PhotoVision calibration target for metering and setting white balance in situation where I have the time and exposure is critical (portraits for example). Last friday was my first time to use it and I was very pleased. I test stop produces nice peaks at black, gray, and white in the histogram.
That's it for my tips/opinions.
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09/22/2005 12:51:35 AM · #5 |
The first part of the Exposure Mentor Group covered the basics of metering -- it will give you a firm foundation to build upon.
David
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09/22/2005 01:08:14 AM · #6 |
i would say usually to use the matrix (evaluative whatever) usually...but like previously stated different situations call for different metering. When exposure is critical and you have time to spare, then go to manual mode, bracket, check your histograms, and choose your exposure there.
Spot metering will do just that, it will expose correctly just a small part of the image, so if its important to get something exposed correctly and the rest doesn't matter, do that.
To be honest, I think shooting manual (and deciding your exposure manually) is usually the way to go. The only time I don't decide my exposure myself is when I shoot for the paper or am shooting sports. If you have an over cast consistently lit day, manual is often a good way to go for sports as well, but you need to pay attention to changes in light. When its sunny/harsh/changing light conditions just go to evaluative/matrix.
hope that helps....don't forget metering is just a complicated way of deciding something basic, your exposure. You don't have to always listen to your meter (but usually its a good idea)
Message edited by author 2005-09-22 01:09:29. |
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09/22/2005 01:12:40 AM · #7 |
there is 5 stops between highlights and shadows so meter and do the math
Photography is all about the math
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09/24/2005 05:58:45 AM · #8 |
I tend to go with center weighted, but on rare occasions, spot metered.
It is important to understand how a meter works in that if you understand it, you'll know when you can trust it and when you need to "go on your own". I usually have a good idea of what aperture I want to use OR what shutter speed I need to get the type of exposure that I am after. So, my choosen f-stop or shutter can be my start point and then I'll use the meter to match up.
The thing you must remember is that your cameras meter can be fooled by what you are shooting. For example, if you are shooting a black dog on a white background - if you meter for the dog, the white background will be overexposed - if you meter for the white background, the dog is underexposed. What I am saying is that it is vital that you meter off the correct things in the scene.
If you are shooting a sunset, metering off the foreground will tend to overexpose the sky and the opposite is true as well - metering off the sun will underexpose or silouette the foreground. SO... meter just to the side of the sun and adjust from there.
Hope that helps. |
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