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10/28/2004 12:52:52 PM · #1 |
| I WORKED WITH A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER AND HE USED A SIGMA SLR DIGITAL CAMERA. HE USED 3 FLASH HEADS AND HE DID NOT USE ANY HANDHELD LIGHT METER. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET THE RIGHT EXPOSURE WITH FLASH USING ONLY THE CAMERA METER? HOW DID HE DO IT? I WAS AFRAID TO ASK HIM COZ HE MIGHT THINK I'M FISHING. PLEASE ANYONE? |
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10/28/2004 12:54:58 PM · #2 |
I've worked in the same environment. Some photographers, and being a product of that environment I guess I'm one, just don't care about being THAT precise. Esp. when using digital and you can see it right on the screen. And sometimes you might want a setup that gives an over exposed image on purpose for effect.
That's my thoughts. I know nothing about precise exposure and still manage to do a lot of jobs - even in a studio. |
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10/28/2004 12:55:51 PM · #3 |
You can do it without any meter at all, if you have experience.
I have a friend who is accurate to within about a 10th of a stop, without using a meter at all - he's just been taking photographs for 35 years.
All the work I've done with strobes so far has been done without a light meter, just looking at the results from the camera and making adjustments. I don't claim to be good at this, but with a bit of experience it is very possible.
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10/28/2004 01:00:30 PM · #4 |
| digital/histogram/feedback/experience |
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10/28/2004 02:05:36 PM · #5 |
Ronnelsky, there's no need to shout! Please don't type everything in caps...
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10/28/2004 04:07:10 PM · #6 |
Hurro,
It is quite possible to do strobe work without a meter. Especially if you're experienced with your strobes and camera.
For e.g. I did some headshots for work earlier in the week, for using as management directory photos on our website. I used two umbrellas in front, and a small softbox to light the white backdrop. Because I've used the same setup four or five times before I knew that I was going to be F/6.3 with the lights 2m in front of the chair.
Simple example, but you get the idea.. (having said that I checked it with a meter, as I didn't want to mess up.)
I've been self-learning studio lighting over the last year or so and I got some really good results without a meter, and borrowed one a couple of times to check I was on the right track with using the histogram.
I've now bought a meter.
The advantages of a meter come in when you setup something new or different with the flashes. You can meter the whole scene and individual flashes without as much trial and error. Setting overall lighting by historgram is relatively easy, but I was finding that setting light ratios for shadows/highlights was a little more luck than science using the LCD/histogram.
One thing I've found is that the histogram can lie if you're working with an unevenly reflective scene. I shot some photos in front of a light brown muslin a while ago and found that with the histogram looking well balanced the skin tones were all lost in midtones, and looked flat. Using a meter to check it, I found I was underexposing by 1.5 stops. With the metered exposure the histogram was packed up against the high end, but the photos looked right.
The other thing I'd say is that if you're taking shots of people without much paitience like my headshots of managers work this week, it's far better to take one meter reading and set the camera than dink around taking multiple test shots to balance the histogram. Using incident flash metering I took the meter reading without even having someone sitting there. When the 'models' started coming in I could just start shooting away, and not worry about adjusting anything.
So, my take on the question would be that it's fine to go without a meter if you're experienced with your gear, and the location and setup are familiar or similar to something you've already done. But if you want to be 100% sure a meter is your friend.
As always, just my 2c worth..
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