Hi Mike
This is by far (imho) one of the most articulate queries I've seen posted to
this group and am looking forward to following the ensuing thread. I think
the subject is of great interest to many of us.
Don
----- Original Message -----
From: "mike ray" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2001 2:00 AM
Subject: PhoRelTop: To meter or not to meter
> greetings all,
>
> Since taking up SLR photography, I have shot in metered manual mode and
> rarely, if ever, use the automatic capabilities of my ZX-M. I'd like to
> think that this helps me understand the photographic process and better
> control the result. I begin shooting by consulting the meter and, if the
> scene does not appear too unusual, generally follow its suggestions. I
> check the meter readings sporadically to verify that a significant shift
in
> lighting has not escaped my notice.
>
> I have been asked by others who shoot exclusively in Automatic Exposure
mode
> why I bother to shoot in manual if I'm just going to follow the meter's
> suggestion. My response is that there are lighting situations that will
> "fool" the meter and, once recognized, these cases are (for me) more
easily
> accomodated by a manual adjustment of the aperture ring or shutter speed
> dial.
>
> Yet I have begun to wonder if I am too easily governed by what the meter
> sugests (or by what the camera itself would do if set to AE mode). I
> sometimes wonder if I'm deluding myself about being in control of the
> process. It seems to be a question of what capabities an individual
> should bring to the photographic task.
>
> In the interest of strectching my abilities and learning what are
realistic
> limitations, I'd like to post the following questions to the group for
> discussion:
>
> --- Should I (or anyone interested in exercising control over this
> photographic medium) be able to assess a lighting situation and determine
> an appropriate aperture/shutter speed combination without benefit of any
> metering device?
> --- Is such a thing possible?
> --- Do any of you start shooting a scene without first consulting a
meter;
> relying only on your familiarity with basic photographic principles (e.g.
> sunny 16 rule and its variants) and your own assessment of a particular
> scene?
> --- If so, how did you develop the skill?
>
> I guess the question comes down to this :
> --- If a camera body, lens and meter are all photographic tools one may
use
> to produce a desired result, is the meter a tool of necessity or one of
> converniance ?
> Or to put it another way:
> --- To what extent should a photographer rely on metering devices (either
> built-in or external)?
>
> I started by explaining part of my procedure and I think the results are
> generally adequate. I find a degree of satisfaction with about one of
> every 12 shots. Still, I feel something isn't quite hitting the mark:
> the image before me isn't quite the same as the one in my head! There's
so
> much I have yet to learn and I thought that by breaking down the
activitiy
> to its component parts the task might become more manageable. So I'm
> starting with these questions.
>
> Does this matter interest anyone else? If so, thanks in advance to any
> who choose to respond.
>
> Two minor points:
> If this topic interests any one, I ask that it be limited to the premise I
> have offered (i.e. in terms of lighting assessment, what capabilities are
> required of a photographer interested in exercising control over his
> medium). I have no wish to ignite yet another battle about the relative
> superiority of old or new technology, old or new methodology. These
soon
> grow tiresome and it is not what my inquiry is about.
> Any silence on my part in this discussion should not be interpreted as
> disinterest. I actually have very limited access to e-mail, but will be
> avidly following any discussion upon my return.
>
>
>
> Pondering the ineluctables in NYC,
> Mike Ray
>
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