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Subject brightness range
Les
I would welcome your advice on something that has been vexing me for some time. Every time I take a photograph in what I consider to bright, fairly contrasty light it seems that there are always four stops between my most important shadow and my most important highlight. I can't understand why this should be. I use a Sekonic 1 degree spot meter and my metering regime goes like this I carefully study the scene and find and take a reading of what I consider to be the most important shadow. I then do the same with what I consider the most important highligh. It. The difference always seems to be four stops. Is my understading of how to measure a scen's SBR flawed? Thank you. Adrian PS the meter is working properly and the batteries are fresh. |
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Hi Adrian, long time no see?
You raise an interesting point, for I also have noticed that quite often I have only 4 stops of contrast and I follow the same procedure that you describe. One thing that I would mention is that if you are using a one degree spot meter such as the Soligor (I use this) or Pentax, flare will make a difference to the reading especially where you are making the reading into the main light source of the subject. I noticed this many years ago and got into the habit of cupping my hand around the barrel of the meter to act as a lens shade, it can make a difference of 1 to 1.5 stops. Another conclusion that I have arrived at is that I tend to be attracted to a certain degree or type of lighting which gives me the modeling and effects that appeal. It would seem that 4 to 5 stops of contrast is that norm or perhaps it's the daft Geordie in me???!!! Maybe you have similar likes and dislikes although perhaps not the daft Geordie bit???!!! I wouldn't worry too much about this Adrian, the main thing is to get the information on to the negative and if you do wish to have a wider contrast range in the final print it is quite simple to use traditional methods in the darkroom to achieve this. |
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Quote:
Thank you for taking the trouble to reply. I'm flattered you may remember me. It was Focus on Imaging in, I think, 2003. I watched, with great interest one of your digital demonstrations. I will make a point of shading the front of my light meter, a Sekonik 400 series. It does not have a barrel like the Soligor but the lens is not recessed. I certainly agree with my choice of lighting. I tend to be attracted to bright days with definite shadows. I am trying to expand my experience of different types of light to become more rounded. Daft Geordie?? I don't think so. I have heard that the definition of a George is a Scotsman with his head kicked in (I am Scots BTW) but your writings seem to debunk that theory. Best regards. Adrian |
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