[Kde-i18n-vi] Alexander Malich - Light Meter Readings for Film and Digital

[paul.kholer paul.kholer]

*Reflected Light Readings for Film and Digital Images*

In order to correctly expose your film or digital CCD there are two
variables that must be identified: average reflectance and average light.
Unless you have some good reason to meter for other than these two averages,
stick meticulously to the method outlined below.

This article deals with reflected light readings. This is the type of light
reading taken with an in camera light meter or a hand held meter which is
pointed toward the subject. This article does not deal with incident light
readings which are a measure of the light falling on the subject.

*Average Reflectance*

A white painted wall, snow or the ocean reflect most of the light falling on
them. A burnt tree, a black fireplace or a coal mine reflect little of the
light falling on them.A mid tone falls halfway between these extremes and
reflects 18% of the light falling on it. The ISO rating of film or a digital
CCD is set so this mid tone is exposed as a mid tone.

*Identify a Mid Tone*

Identify a mid tone for average reflectance and meter off that. Look for
some green grass or foliage, mid tone rocks or bare dirt, weathered timber
or whatever you can find that is somewhere in the middle between dull black
and shiny white. If you are unable to escape a predominance of one extreme
or the other in your framed image, then find an area to meter else where.

If need be, point the meter toward yourself and meter your clothes or else
take your coat off, throw it on the ground and meter that.

Sand at the beach, or the palm of your hand are about one stop too bright.
These can be used to meter off but you must compensate and the liklihood of
a mistake is introduced.

*Average Light*

Average light is half way between light and shadow. If it's overcast there
isn't so much difference between the two extremities as when it's sunny but
you still should take a reading of the average light.

*Identify Average Light*

If you are metering off some trees and scrub in full sun you'll probably
find that the scene makes it's own shadows within the foliage. Be careful
because the amount of sun and shadow can be confusing.

If metering a tree, aim your meter such that you read off half sun and half
shadow on the tree trunk, then if need be, move around the tree to your
chosen photo spot to capture the image. On a rough barked tree such as a
pine tree, make sure that the texture of the bark on the sunny part has not
created half shadow.

If metering a building, meter off a corner so you get one wall in the sun
and the adjacent wall in the building's own shadow. Alternatively, meter
half the sunlit building and half the shadow on the ground.

When photographing the landscape I always take my own shadow with me. Yes,
as long as the sun is shining my shadow will be there with me. I crouch down
and meter off the ground and point the meter so half of it reads my shadow
and the other half reads the sunny area. That's my reading till the light
changes. If I have any doubts about the average reading, I take a reading
from the shadow area and another from the sunny area, then see if my average
light reading is in the middle.

*Metering Indoors*

When photographing indoors by window light, be sure to meter for the average
of the subtle difference between light and shadow. This difused, directional
light, according to my view of the world, is the most attractive and useful
light for photography. Although the level is low, the quality is high.
Strive to meter it acurately.


-- 
Alexander Malich
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mail.kde.org/pipermail/kde-i18n-vi/attachments/20071016/d34467cd/attachment.html