Portraiture exposure metering

tefoonez wrote: ...would the same settings work when shooting portraits of animals?

Very doubtful, in fact, no. But if one photographed the same animal regularly, they'd find consistent settings and lighting conditions that pleased them. There you would build a formula upon. Once that is achieved, experimenting with the formula provides refinement, and opportunity for a high level of artistic interpretation.

tefoonez wrote: ...I have had it suggested that shooting swans, for example, it's sensible to minus on the exposure to keep the details, and viceversa for a brown bear?

Black Swans? Polar Bears? Point being, that each critter and environment will be unique. Only experimentation and consistency can produce a formula.

Were I shooting white swans (which I don't), I would begin with a spot meter reading with +1.5 and go from there. Were I shooting black/brown bears in deep woods, I'd begin with a spot meter reading with -1 and go from there. But for any serious formula, you'd have to consult a wildlife specialist.

What you'll find, with any specialty type of photography from landscapes to medical, is that there are consistencies to rely upon within each discipline. With enough experience, you'll start to "see" the scene and be able to know the settings without even metering.
_______

Olympus OM-3 & 4's, and Maxxum Xi series with Spot Meter Expansion cards and a neat feature for metering from highlights (swans) and shadows (black bears). You'd take a spot meter reading on white, press highlight, and the cameras would automatically add +2 exposure compensation. Or meter on black, and the cameras would automatically subtract -2 exposure compensation. It worked quite well, and was based upon the principle of grey card spot metering at 0.


Edited by Photosopher - 23 February 2012 at 22:34

2nd attempt, but my other daughter is very pale so I PP them to something different

TFS Clyde, i'm a pretty owner of one of the few sony's (330) missing the AEL button. I'm not using it often lately, too much 'black frames' so my 7 gets most of the work. Using film is your 'recipe' always working / how different was it back in your analog days.

thanks

Great work, Clyde. You are a valuable asset to this forum.

This is a wonderful thread/information very good information and tips.

I did have a go today my pics look ok well for one of my photos lol... I think the plus one is a good guide as many shots I have taken on the setting at the time which I always use spot metering seem that bit dark and have also used a grey card in the past which they have been okish..

On some of my photos I think I only done plus .07 and plus 1.. ?I took some inside the house but had plenty of daylight and some under the umbrella which is cream, the high sun in Thailand is so bright though that when I took some photos of my husband where he is loosing his hair there is always a shiny part so wondering what can I do to help that situation?

Also, I love cooking then taking photos for my blog, is there any tips on how to get good exposure with natural light, I do take photos outside as the natural light in the house even though pretty bright it seems to be a bit lackless.. I haev tried using the flash but without success..

Regards
Debra

Debra wrote: This is a wonderful thread/information very good information and tips. I did have a go today my pics look ok well for one of my photos lol... I think the plus one is a good guide as many shots I have taken on the setting at the time which I always use spot metering seem that bit dark and have also used a grey card in the past which they have been okish.. On some of my photos I think I only done plus .07 and plus 1.. ?I took some inside the house but had plenty of daylight and some under the umbrella which is cream, the high sun in Thailand is so bright though that when I took some photos of my husband where he is loosing his hair there is always a shiny part so wondering what can I do to help that situation? Also, I love cooking then taking photos for my blog, is there any tips on how to get good exposure with natural light, I do take photos outside as the natural light in the house even though pretty bright it seems to be a bit lackless.. I haev tried using the flash but without success.. Regards Debra

CPL filter for the shiny head :)

romke wrote: ...a matter of personal preference..."fresh new jeans"... the green grass... learn what objects are suitable for spotmetering...

No doubt about it.

rickztahone wrote: CPL filter for the shiny head :)

Can also use a heavy vignetting lens like the 70-210 Beercan at f4 to cut the glare a bit. Crop tight and make that bald scalp round perfectly with the vignette blend. But the article also shows use of reflectors, which in some cases (blondes, bald), should be used as overhead baffles.

Edited by Photosopher - 28 March 2012 at 18:01