Sunny 16 Rule
Apr 8, 2017 17:15:37 #
The attached images were taken at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park yesterday between 11 and 11:30 AM with a Nikon D610. It was a clear sunny day. I did not use my camera's meter because it probably would have probably recommended the wrong exposure. Instead, I followed the Sunny 16 rule - 1/ISO @ f/16 (or 1/(2xISO) at f/11).
ISO was set to 400 for all images, the aperture to f/11 and the shutter to 1/800 for the first three images where I used a 300 mm manual focus lens on a tripod attached to a D610. The fourth image was hand-held using a 75-300 mm autofocus zoom at 190 mm and I increased the shutter speed slightly to 1/1000.
To retain detail in the bright feathers (I was not interested in the shadow detail) I needed to reduce the exposure setting when processing the raw data in Capture One Pro. I also needed to do a small amount of highlight recovery.
What these images showed (as did the other 50+ images in the same session) was that white feathers require a little special handling. After all, Sunny 16 was a film convention and negative film would have handled the bright feathers more easily. On the other hand, slide film would have been as unforgiving as digital.
Since it is impossible to recover truly blown highlights (not the case here) and since it is so easy to increase the exposure in post processing, it appears that I could have underexposed a little and gotten the same result with less post processing.
ISO was set to 400 for all images, the aperture to f/11 and the shutter to 1/800 for the first three images where I used a 300 mm manual focus lens on a tripod attached to a D610. The fourth image was hand-held using a 75-300 mm autofocus zoom at 190 mm and I increased the shutter speed slightly to 1/1000.
To retain detail in the bright feathers (I was not interested in the shadow detail) I needed to reduce the exposure setting when processing the raw data in Capture One Pro. I also needed to do a small amount of highlight recovery.
What these images showed (as did the other 50+ images in the same session) was that white feathers require a little special handling. After all, Sunny 16 was a film convention and negative film would have handled the bright feathers more easily. On the other hand, slide film would have been as unforgiving as digital.
Since it is impossible to recover truly blown highlights (not the case here) and since it is so easy to increase the exposure in post processing, it appears that I could have underexposed a little and gotten the same result with less post processing.
1/800 sec, no exposure adjustment in PP
(Download)
1/800 sec, minus 1 stop exposure adjustment in PP
(Download)
1/800 sec, minus 1/2 stop exposure adjustment in PP
(Download)
1/1000 sec, minus 1/4 stop exposure adjustment in PP
(Download)
Apr 8, 2017 17:29:28 #
Nice shots. I will have to find that place sometime when I have some time off in Jacksonville.
Apr 8, 2017 17:42:11 #
Apr 8, 2017 18:16:54 #
Apr 8, 2017 20:31:22 #
Thank you all for your comments.
The point of this thread is that exposure does not have to be rocket science. As long as you come close and don't blow the highlights you can get what you want from the raw conversion.
The Alligator Farm is a great place to spend an hour or two. Peak bird season is from about December through April.
Another bit that might be of interest. You don't have to spend a bundle on lenses to get good bird pictures there. The two lenses I used are about 30 years old and I got them from KEH in "Excellent" condition. Total cost for the two lenses was less than $400. But you don't need 300 mm because that might actually be too long for some of the nearby egrets. Your 70-200 mm lens will probably be all you need.
Enjoy your visit.
The point of this thread is that exposure does not have to be rocket science. As long as you come close and don't blow the highlights you can get what you want from the raw conversion.
The Alligator Farm is a great place to spend an hour or two. Peak bird season is from about December through April.
Another bit that might be of interest. You don't have to spend a bundle on lenses to get good bird pictures there. The two lenses I used are about 30 years old and I got them from KEH in "Excellent" condition. Total cost for the two lenses was less than $400. But you don't need 300 mm because that might actually be too long for some of the nearby egrets. Your 70-200 mm lens will probably be all you need.
Enjoy your visit.
Apr 8, 2017 22:29:32 #
a6k
Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
Those are fabulous shots. I'm so envious!
I also think your posting is logical, clear and correct.
In addition, you could have added that short of maxing out the highlights, the (s)lower the ISO, the better the dynamic range. That was discussed on UHH recently with excellent information. I think you provided some of it.
The old skills are still relevant when the highly logical and oft misinformed camera/computer is predictably going to get it wrong. The sunny 16 rule is based on good data and math and works for the entire set of reciprocal settings, not only the two you mentioned. But I know you already knew that; I'm saying it for a wider audience, just in case. Bottom line, we are or can be smarter than the computer. Not faster, perhaps and perhaps not as precise, but definitely smarter.
Notice how I said all that without a single reference to your characteristics as a person (hint)?
I also think your posting is logical, clear and correct.
In addition, you could have added that short of maxing out the highlights, the (s)lower the ISO, the better the dynamic range. That was discussed on UHH recently with excellent information. I think you provided some of it.
The old skills are still relevant when the highly logical and oft misinformed camera/computer is predictably going to get it wrong. The sunny 16 rule is based on good data and math and works for the entire set of reciprocal settings, not only the two you mentioned. But I know you already knew that; I'm saying it for a wider audience, just in case. Bottom line, we are or can be smarter than the computer. Not faster, perhaps and perhaps not as precise, but definitely smarter.
Notice how I said all that without a single reference to your characteristics as a person (hint)?
Apr 9, 2017 07:27:36 #
Apr 9, 2017 08:34:05 #
Apr 9, 2017 11:36:10 #
Thank you both.
I am preparing an article for the Main Photography Discussion to explain this some more.
I am preparing an article for the Main Photography Discussion to explain this some more.
Apr 9, 2017 11:56:52 #
Apr 9, 2017 15:35:01 #
selmslie wrote:
... I am preparing an article for the Main Photography Discussion to explain this some more.
The thread is Exposure Values and Sunny 16.
Apr 10, 2017 00:00:13 #
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