anniek Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) OK - so I have a white dog and a black dog (they're both greys but that shouldn't confuse the issue ) I generally shoot them seperately, mainly because they don't really run or play together. Sometimes at the beach I might take a pic of them just hangng. So, one white and one black - is there anything I should be doing with exposure to get the best out of the pics? I guess it would be similar for weddings? white bride and dark groom? annieK Edited August 11, 2009 by anniek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 yep... and I can give you an answer except I'm about to go out and do a photo shoot. I'm sure someone else will give you an answer, if not, I'll post when I get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniek Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 yep... and I can give you an answer except I'm about to go out and do a photo shoot.I'm sure someone else will give you an answer, if not, I'll post when I get back. thanks ash - waiting patiently for your return :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 waiting..............waiting........................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Okay, the short and quick answer is to have your camera set to evaluative metering. In this mode it will meter based on the entire scene and work out your setttings (this is how we shoot weddings). If you have it set on spot metering, then it's only going to meter for that one point... so it could under or overexpose depending on which spot it's going by. The long and complex answer... you need a gray card. Position the card in front of the dogs and take a meter reading from the card. Switch your camera to manual and put in the settings... remove the gray card and shoot. If you can't get your hands on a gray card, simply meter your camera from a patch of grass as the camera will see it as being close to the magical "18% Gray" that it registers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniek Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 thank you very much ash - where can a grey card be "gotten"? Is it a photographic thing or can it be printed as 18% on a professional printer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubiton Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 The sand at the beach will help you as it reflects light so will help with the black dog - you would have to try some different settings as you can get away with the white dog being overexposed a touch and you can bring up the shadows (black dog) in post processing. The one and only wedding I did had a very pale skinned girl in white and a darker skinned bloke in the black suit but when the light was in the right place (sin or flash) it all worked ok. The problem starts when you have bad lighting such as being backlit or overcast and darkish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 The sand at the beach will help you as it reflects light so will help with the black dog - you would have to try some different settings as you can get away with the white dog being overexposed a touch and you can bring up the shadows (black dog) in post processing.The one and only wedding I did had a very pale skinned girl in white and a darker skinned bloke in the black suit but when the light was in the right place (sin or flash) it all worked ok. The problem starts when you have bad lighting such as being backlit or overcast and darkish. My favourite lighting when shooting weddings... LOVE overcast and dark. Gives me more control. I take a test shot and if it looks a bit flat, I'll bump it up so it's a stop overexposed. (AnnieK - so the needle that you see through your viewfinder is more to the right than the left). You can buy gray cards at good camera stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripley Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 You could take a reading off someone with Caucasian skin or anything else that is neutral/grey if you are stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 You could take a reading off someone with Caucasian skin or anything else that is neutral/grey if you are stuck. Like grass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I love backlit and agree with ash on the dark/gloomy being nice to shoot in. Not that I ever get to shoot in anything other than blinding, sear your skin off your body while your eyeballs fry conditions, but a girl can dream, right?! One other tip, get to know your gear. The better you know your gear and the more conditions you shoot in regularly the better you'll be able to adjust on the fly without having to think about which metering mode etc that you are in. The more you shoot the more you'll be able to dial in settings that will get you in the ballpark to start with. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniek Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 thanks everyone - really apprciate the info / advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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