Re: Using a 113 gray standard in digital photo
Re: Using a 113 gray standard in digital photo
- Subject: Re: Using a 113 gray standard in digital photo
- From: Kevin Bubbenmoyer <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 14:46:39 -0500
It's interesting to read the ideas and misconceptions of exposure that have
been batted about with this thread. I know a lot of photographers are self
taught and generally base their observations on anecdotal evidence, but
quite often miss the whole picture. The part of the equation that hasn't
been discussed is the material's range. Highlights or shadows will expose
"properly", in a controlled environment, from an 18 per cent grey card if
their luminance values fall within the tonal range of the "capture device"
whether that be film or digital. If highlights are overexposed or shadows
are underexposed based on a grey card reading, then either the range was too
great for the capture medium (a situation which product photographers in a
controlled environment learn how to correct for) or the original grey card
reading was in error.
The whole idea of capturing an image is really a matter of tonal
compression. The luminance range that exists in the real world can only be
"interpretted" on film or print. The idea of a "properly" exposed image is
then a matter of sliding the whole tonal range of the scene up or down
inside the tonal range of the final media - with a fair amount of tonal
compression cranked in. With the proper luminance range, even textured
black velvet or white highlights on polished metal can be pleasingly
conveyed in the same image.
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From: tflash <email@hidden>
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Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 14:07:01 -0500
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To: <email@hidden>
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Subject: Re: Using a 113 gray standard in digital photo
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> On 21 Dec 2000, at 10:41, Terence L. Wyse wrote:
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>
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>> I'd still stand by that exposing for a 18% Gray Card will
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>> ALWAYS give you the correct exposure regardless of the subject matter.
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I'm photographing polished platinum and white pearl earrings on gloss white
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Plexiglas. The items are being back/top lit, and that little gray matte
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patch is facing camera. I guarantee you if you base your exposure upon your
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mid gray patch, you will have blown out highlights on your subjects. You
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have to take into account the reflectance's of your subject. You will
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likewise have an underexposed image if your actual subject matter is black
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velvet. Basing exposure on one patch of gray should work very well if you
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are photographing mid gray matte patches however. ;-)
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>
Todd
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