Impracticability aside, if you were to use a gray card for every possible photo you took, would each photo be the best possible exposure (using matrix metering)? Why or why not? Thanks!
2007-12-13 13:58:44 · 7 answers · asked by Mrmojo6068 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
Well it is that easy. Pros use various methods to meter light. Light meters, grey cards, their palm, a mid grey part in the scene. Some meter off black or white then add or take away 3-4 stops if they are being tricky.
If you meter off the card and want details in your blacks and your whites then you will get it. you have to determine on sunny days if you meter for the shadows or the highlights. Overcast or large light source days then the card reading is perfect for that.
I'm with Jeff and not the director on this one. If you use it correctly it will not fail you for giving great exposure.
a
2007-12-13 16:11:03 · answer #1 · answered by Antoni 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I wish it were that easy, but you still have to take into account consistency of lighting, reflections, setting exposure to take advantage of highlights or shadows, etc. A gray card helps in every situation, but it doesn't ALONE fix exposure problems every time. That's the difference between taking good photos and being a professional photographer.
2007-12-13 14:20:12 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the photogapher knew the proper way to use the card, it may increase the chances of more successful images from the number of shots taken.
But an experianced photographer will be able to extapolate an entire series of shots from a single reading and may not have to refer to the gray card untill a significant lighting change occured.
2007-12-14 08:46:11 · answer #3 · answered by Vince M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In most situations, yes. However, if you're photographing white sand or snow you'll have to "open up" 1 to 2 stops to get the white sand or snow as white. The old "Rule of Thumb" was meter and open up 2 stops.
Remember, an "average scene" has an average reflectance of 18% gray. Your meter is calibrated to read 18% reflectance as an average scene. (I understand some manufacturers are now using 12%. I haven't delved into the why of this so perhaps someone who has will enlighten me.) In situations involving white sand/snow you have to "outsmart" the meter and compensate.
2007-12-13 23:29:43 · answer #4 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Theoretically yes, as long as:
-- The grey card fills the entire area being metered
-- The light falling on the grey card is the same as the light falling on the scene
The type of metering will not matter as long as the card fills the area metered.
Hope this helps.
2007-12-13 16:49:55 · answer #5 · answered by V2K1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NOPE! anyone that says Yes doesnt know photography.
EVERYTHING is different, your lights, camera/film, light meters how things is developed. take time to get to know all of these and figure out how to get it perfect. Its math.
2007-12-15 04:37:42 · answer #6 · answered by Mom to one cute boy! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes every shot would be perfect. As long as you use the card correctly.
2007-12-13 14:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by Jeffy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋