Re: Spot Metering Question

[Bob Blakely]

Ah... no. There really is no color equivalent to 18% gray. Red is not equivalent to black. There are all sorts of blues with varying degrees of reflectance.   I've thought about what I do with a spot meter and now realize that I have no real method whatsoever. I suspect this may be a bad thing. Over time I've simply become used to what the film & the equipment does. I may use the spot meter on something I know I would want to be about like my 18% gray card if I was shooting B&W. I may point the meter at what I think is an important part of the image or a part of the image whose effect on the film I know, take a reading and adjust exposure with the idea that I know I want it darker or lighter than the card would be - although I don't actually think about an actual card. Sometimes I shoot both the lighter parts and the darker parts that I want some detail in and adjust to keep this range within the latitude of the film. Mostly, I just adjust the camera for what my experience is for the conditions and adjust for changes and to hell with the meter. Actually, I can do better with a center weighted meter because it's _consistent_ in what it does. It always reacts the same way. Then I make adjustments for the scene or subject or whatever knowing (now intuitively) why the CW meter told me what it did.   Keep in mind that I'm just a hack, but I do believe that there is no substitute for burning copious amounts of film, taking notes on each shot (as possible) and making notes on the results. This implies that one retains control over exposure.   Maybe I need help. Regards, Bob...   Give blood. Play hockey.   ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 8:35 AM Subject: Re: Spot Metering Question I want to thank the group for some good responces on spot metering. My next question would be how do you determine a gray equivilent? Would a red be the same as black? Would a light blue be medium gray? Please excuse my lack of knowledge, I just want to fine tune my skills! Thanks......Craig