Using a 113 gray standard in digital photo
Using a 113 gray standard in digital photo
- Subject: Using a 113 gray standard in digital photo
- From: "richardkenward" <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2000 01:18:28 -0000
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On 21 Dec 2000, at 10:41, Terence L. Wyse wrote:
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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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Yikes...don't say that too close to Ansel Adams' grave or he'll be rolling
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over in it. What you're saying is just plain wrong.
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I can think of lots of subjects where a graycard based exposure would be
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VERY wrong for the required result. A graycard is a tool to help access
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light falling on a given subject area to aid in determining the best
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exposure....nothing more. Trusting a graycard reading as always being
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"right" is akin to using a camera in auto mode. The result will be as
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mediocre as the method.
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Russell Proulx
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Photographer
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Montreal, CANADA
Russell
I totally agree with your comments! Yes, beware the non photographers'
advise on exposure<G>
Professional photographers know full well that taking an incident exposure
reading, is in essence the same as a reflected meter reading off an 18% grey
card. Perhaps just OK on an average brightness subject of average tonal
range, but how many pictures fall into that group? Even then its always
prudent (read essential to bracket exposures if on transparency film), even
after a clip test.
Anyone who thinks this is not so should just consider this scenario.... Old
master oil painting....dark sombre colours. If the 18% grey card expose
method as used the resultant transparency would be totally unusable to the
extent that it would very likely be in the region of 11/2 stops underexposed
(much too dark) whereas the picture of a white wedding dress under the
same conditions would be far too light. (overexposed)
Another point for the non photographers to ponder. Why do you think that
professional camera metering systems take readings through the lens system
from many places in the picture area?
Regards
Richard
Richard Kenward
Richard Kenward Digital Imaging
+44 (0)1873 890670