----- Original Message -----
From: "Kostas Kavoussanakis"
Subject: Qs about metering
- The rule of thumb says that, in order to get a very snowy picture to
look white, you add +2 to whatever the (say, CW) meter says.
Will the +2 correction work with a white flower on a macro (ie
mostly white) shot?
- How many stops between 18% gray and pure white? Is it 2, as per the
rule of thumb?
From 18% to pure white (100%) is about 2 1/2 stops (not exactly, but within
tolerance for whatever measuring device you own).
Pure white, however, will show no detail at all, so you are better with the
number you gave (2 stops).
- Assume a backlit (setting sun, still white light) white flower. How
do you meter that sod? The palm method does not work, I don't think,
because the white flower-petals are translucent but the palm isn't.
If you get the palm to face the source of light, one's metering
device/own body shadows it. Or can you take an accurate enough
reading even if spot metering the palm from an angle?
Put a gray card beside the flower, meter it, and shoot pictures without
compensation......
William Robb
