Night Photos - A Tutorial
Jan 20, 2019 14:50:07 #
In a previous post, https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-574456-1.html , I was asked to provide a tutorial on how I approached taking these photographs. It's actually quite simple. I spot metered the brightest source of light in both scenes. These are denoted with a red rectangle in the two images posted here. After spot metering the lights, I increased my exposure 4 stops. This places those bright sources of light in Zone IX. This is white without any texture and similar to specular reflections (The reflection of the sun from a chrome bumper, or any shiny surface).
By increasing the exposure for those bright lights I also increased the exposure of the darker areas of the scene as well. This is all well and good, as I can then tone them back down in processing. Additionally, by exposing for the brightest light, the others, such as the neon lights were kept at an exposure that prevented them from being blown out or simply a smudge of color where in reality they are individual tubes of neon light. I attempted to retain that presentation as best I could.
I hope this explains the process sufficiently.
--Bob
By increasing the exposure for those bright lights I also increased the exposure of the darker areas of the scene as well. This is all well and good, as I can then tone them back down in processing. Additionally, by exposing for the brightest light, the others, such as the neon lights were kept at an exposure that prevented them from being blown out or simply a smudge of color where in reality they are individual tubes of neon light. I attempted to retain that presentation as best I could.
I hope this explains the process sufficiently.
--Bob
Jan 20, 2019 14:51:32 #
Jan 20, 2019 14:52:41 #
Jan 20, 2019 15:01:12 #
This is something I've wanted to try. Thanks for the advice.
Jan 20, 2019 15:04:31 #
Jan 20, 2019 15:05:10 #
Jan 20, 2019 15:18:32 #
Bob, do some neons on ac voltage have dark periods that a fast shutter speed might catch?
Jan 20, 2019 15:31:57 #
Jan 20, 2019 15:32:54 #
jliane
Loc: Washington state
Best simple explanation I’ve seen to help me understand why you expose on the brightest light in the scene. I’ve never really understood the whole ETTR concept and I assume this applies for daytime pictures as well, am I right?
Jan 20, 2019 16:51:20 #
You're welcome, Vicki.
--Bob
--Bob
vicksart wrote:
This is something I've wanted to try. Thanks for the advice.
Jan 20, 2019 16:52:03 #
Thanks for the thumbs, Longshadow. They are always appreciated.
--Bob
--Bob
Longshadow wrote:
Jan 20, 2019 16:52:38 #
You're very welcome, Tony.
--Bob
--Bob
Valenta wrote:
Well explained - logical too. Many thanks.
Tony
Tony
Jan 20, 2019 16:56:38 #
Fred, I would guess they do. Since these were taken at 1/6 and .6 seconds respectively, they were definitely too slow a shutter speed to catch any variation is luminosity.
--Bob
--Bob
Fred Harwood wrote:
Bob, do some neons on ac voltage have dark periods that a fast shutter speed might catch?
Jan 20, 2019 17:00:29 #
jliane, I'm glad I could help. Yes, to answer simply. The same techniques I used on these photos applies to those I take during daylight hours.
Stay tuned, as I'm going to be posting an addendum to the 3 part exposure series I just posted. That is going to cover the ETTR/EBTR concept in a bit more detail.
--Bob
Stay tuned, as I'm going to be posting an addendum to the 3 part exposure series I just posted. That is going to cover the ETTR/EBTR concept in a bit more detail.
--Bob
jliane wrote:
Best simple explanation I’ve seen to help me understand why you expose on the brightest light in the scene. I’ve never really understood the whole ETTR concept and I assume this applies for daytime pictures as well, am I right?
Jan 20, 2019 17:01:04 #
Dave, you are very welcome.
--Bob
--Bob
DaveO wrote: Thank you for another good one, Bob!
Thank you for another good one, Bob!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.