On May 14, 2012, at 10:44 PM, Bruce Walker wrote: > On Mon, May 14, 2012 at 10:08 PM, Mark Roberts > <postmas...@robertstech.com> wrote: >> >> Bruce Walker wrote: >> >>> Bob and Darren have actually said all that needs to be said in defense >>> of using a meter, and nothing more needs to be said, so here I go ... >>> >>> You're in the studio. There's seamless setup, the model has come out >>> of makeup and hair and is raring to go. The studio costs $50 an hour. >>> So does the model. The lights are setup: a couple on the background to >>> blow it to white, two on the model. >>> >>> Larry: I'l take a test shot. >>> Model: okay. >>> L: POP >>> L: hang on, I'm checking the histogram. >>> L: ... >>> L: hmmm. I think that's underexposed. Let me fix that. >>> L: POP >>> L: hang on, I'm checking the histogram again. >>> L: Um. That might be overexposed. Shit, there's a huge spike at the >>> right. WTF? >>> M: I think my lipstick is smeared. <exits left> >>> >>> Versus: >>> >>> Bruce: I'm going to meter the light. >>> Model: okay. >>> B: POP >>> B: f/8 >>> B: okay, Shel, I want you to pout. Great! Now smile. Super! ... >> >> Of course, Bruce, in a studio situation, that only applies to the very >> first shot. After that you've got the exposure nailed and you just go >> on. I think Bill's example of using the meter to get lighting ratios >> is the real advantage of an incident meter here. > > Definitely, that's one of the big advantages. But there's more. > > The histogram is fooled entirely by the scene as it's showing you > what's reflecting from it. If the scene is a white dress against a > white backdrop, or a largely black business suit against a black > backdrop, I wish you good luck histogramming that. > > The meter OTOH tells you the correct exposure for the light actually > hitting the scene. Put your meter under the model's chin, pop your > lights, read off the exposure, set it and you are done. It doesn't > matter the clothing or skin colour, the textures, the backdrop, > nothin'. You may have issues with hotspots in the scene or areas that > are too dark, but that's lighting design. You need to add reflectors > to get fill into too dark areas or add gobos to solve hotspots, but > that doesn't alter the basic exposure. > > Anyways, this is one of those "you get it or you don't" issues, and > can't be resolved to everyone's satisfaction here. I bought a digital > flash meter and use it regularly after completely fscking up too many > frames to count. I'm a happy camper now because when I work, I design > my lighting and I carefully measure to get the results I want. >
I use an incident flash meter in the studio as well. It's foolproof. Paul > -- > -bmw > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
