Jake the snakeman

I am the person that gave the newbie the advice that you took exception to. I read your post and was amazed that such simple and excellent advice could garner such a nefarious reaction. This is why I rarely post anything! And as to how often a person trades up is strictly up to them and I do not believe I ever mentioned anything related to that subject. Then you seemed most curious as to what equipment I have.
The equipment I use is a Nikon D7200, usually set on manual, a Sony prosumer cybershot as a pocket type camera, a rb67, and a 4x5 view. Happy Now? Now i suppose i should ask about your equipment but i could really care less! And why did i give the advice that i gave? Well, in my most humble opinion, i believe a person should learn all they can about their camera as well as educating themselves about all aspects of photography if they wish to grow. Are you familiar with the zone system? If you are taking a portrait of a Caucasian person and you take a meter reading of their skin tone where, on the grey scale, do you put it? How about a black person? Now, before you google for the answer, you would put the Caucasian on zone vi and the black person on zone iv. And how do you accomplish That? Glad you asked! Set your camera manually on the setting your meter reading gave you and then, for the Caucasian skin tones, open up one stop - for the black person close down one stop. I do hope I simplified this enough for you. Now another question, actually a test, put your camera on a tripod, take the lens cap off, and now get a cup of coffee and come back in half an hour. Now let us check and see how good the pictures are that your incredible camera took. What, no pictures? But you have such a great camera that you need not know anything or do anything, what happened? Could it be that ALL cameras are inanimate objects and are nothing more than tools for an educated operator to control? An operator that has educated the 12" behind the Camera? You asked why I assumed I could offer anyone advice. Probably because I have a degree in photography, 15 years as a working professional with 350 weddings under my belt, 6 years owning 2 camera retail stores and teaching beginning photography. I suppose at this time i am suppose to ask for your credentials but again, i do not really care. I am sorry i took it upon myself to attempt to help someone and will, from now on, leave it to you experts and masters. By the way, how did you enjoy our discussion? I hope you liked it because there WILL be no more...period

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

That's why he has the nickname Sh!t Sta!n!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Don't let that ass stain get to you. To him, if you don't shoot Canon you aren't worth talking to. His reputation proceeds him and his prejudices are well documented here. He is one of the reasons we have the "ignore" feature to use, so use it.

Jake the snakeman

Thank you ken hubert and you mt shooter i did not realize he had such an insidious reputation

Rongnongno Loc: FL

We all have a reputation, mostly negative. This is internet and some folks think testosterone or out of whack estrogen is or primordial importance.

This is internet so who cares?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I don't see anything in recent postings that justifies a personal attack like this.

cwp3420

As others have said, shit spewer has a lot of hatred in his heart towards everyone he meets. Most of us ignore this despicable individual. Sorry you had to meet him like this.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Seems he contributes nothing but grief.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Concur.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

deleted

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I have to jump in when someone provides unclear or misleading advice, as you have regarding the zone system.

I do use the zone system, but I recognize the difference between using it for film and the adjustments that you CAN, and should, make for digital, particularly in portrait and wide dynamic range situations.

It is not the same.

Your two examples, of a fair-complexioned Caucasian and a dark complexioned Black person are ok, but you will get better results with the black person if you expose the scene to the right, which will give you more data in the shadows ABOVE the noise level and a better overall image that if you placed the skin tone in zone iv or lower. Using zone iv, or reducing the exposure by one full stop, will most likely result in a very noisy face. Exposing that face to zone v would be better, and even higher if nothing significant is blown out.

When you have a wedding, you have no choice but to expose to the right, but you need to use the wedding dress, wedding cake and other strongly reflective elements in the image to set your exposure. With many cameras at working ISOs the highlights you are measuring will likely be lost if you use more than 1-1/3 stops exposure adjustment. There is no way you can expose a Caucasian face at +1 without blowing the details in the dress.

The zone system concept is solid, but it takes a thorough understanding of the camera and it's response to light, and how best to apply it. The zone system as it applies to b&w negatives, color reversal film and digital is different for more reasons than would be appropriate to discuss here.

You are probably doing just fine, but I would not be so quick to criticize others, at least until you master things that you speak about, like the zone system. At 15 yrs and 350 weddings, your experience is pretty good, but no match for people with 50, 60 and more, like you are likely to find here. We are mostly a quiet bunch, confident in our knowledge, offering solid, experience-based advice, and in general do not feel compelled to bring years of experience into discussions. But since you mention it, I have been using the zone system since 1986.

Talk is cheap. So rather than clutter pages with words, we may use actual examples to illustrate a concept.

Maybe you would like to respond with a few example images from the tens of thousands that you must have with your 350 wedding experience, that shows us how you handle exposure for blacks and Caucasians, exactly as you have described.

Or just post a link to one of your sites. You do have sites that you use to promote your business, don't you?

I can hardly wait.

Go light on Sharpshooter - he knows what he's doing.

However, the jury is still out on you. Especially after reading your post of 7/25 where you stated, "Now with the new digital I am lost. I am studying and reading everything I can but still find this new stuff to be overly complicated, complex, and daunting." On this point, I totally agree with you. Lost indeed.

Play nice on these forums, and you will be treated likewise, with others helping where they can. Act like what is under the horse's tail, and you will be treated accordingly. Your choice. I suggest you take the high road, and work hard to earn the respect of others. Good luck!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Don't be so sensitive; and don't feel overly compelled to defend yourself. In time, the truth will out.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.