Is It Me?
Mar 23, 2019 11:49:31 #
I need some comments here.
Here is my question. I get what I think is the right exposure, get home put pics. on the computer and some are over exposed by half a stop or more. But look right in the viewfinder. I shoot in priority mode, auto iso, auto white balance. I adjust exposure up maybe 1 stop for the back light when the sun is up and creating harsh shadows on the faces. This shot looked right on in the viewfinder, but as you can see over exposed.
Nikon D500.
Thanks in advance.
Here is my question. I get what I think is the right exposure, get home put pics. on the computer and some are over exposed by half a stop or more. But look right in the viewfinder. I shoot in priority mode, auto iso, auto white balance. I adjust exposure up maybe 1 stop for the back light when the sun is up and creating harsh shadows on the faces. This shot looked right on in the viewfinder, but as you can see over exposed.
Nikon D500.
Thanks in advance.
Mar 23, 2019 11:57:05 #
Where are you metering, and with what method?
Since you are using auto-ISO, does the camera compensate with the ISO to give you the same exposure index even though you increased the exposure?
What you see in the viewfinder is not what the image will look like when taken.
Ever notice that the viewfinder image never changes when you adjust a parameter?
Your mind compensates for many things when looking at an image, the camera is not side-tracked.
Since you are using auto-ISO, does the camera compensate with the ISO to give you the same exposure index even though you increased the exposure?
What you see in the viewfinder is not what the image will look like when taken.
Ever notice that the viewfinder image never changes when you adjust a parameter?
Your mind compensates for many things when looking at an image, the camera is not side-tracked.
Mar 23, 2019 12:02:07 #
Longshadow wrote:
Where are you metering, and with what method?
Since you are using auto-ISO, does the camera compensate with the ISO to give you the same exposure index even though you increased the exposure?
What you see in the viewfinder is not what the image will look like when taken.
Ever notice that the viewfinder image never changes when you adjust a parameter?
Your mind compensates for many things when looking at an image, the camera is not side-tracked.
Since you are using auto-ISO, does the camera compensate with the ISO to give you the same exposure index even though you increased the exposure?
What you see in the viewfinder is not what the image will look like when taken.
Ever notice that the viewfinder image never changes when you adjust a parameter?
Your mind compensates for many things when looking at an image, the camera is not side-tracked.
I shoot in matrix mode. The camera does show me the increase when chipping back, but still looks different when I get home.
Mar 23, 2019 12:13:09 #
My first comment would be that you can't judge exposure by what you see on the tiny screen, sometimes viewed in awful light as well. You can, however, get some idea of proper exposure from the Histogram. I NEVER adjust exposure from the screen, but, sometimes, do from the Histogram. My second comment is that your exposure looks pretty good. I'm judging that on the girl's face, not the entire image. If I were processing that photo in Lr, I would probably add a small amount of exposure and, perhaps, lower the highlights a bit, but that's just me. I use Maxtix metering most of the time and I have come to rely on it quite a bit. When making images on a very sunny day you have to choose what to expose for as the dynamic range of the scene is much greater than the capability of the camera. Matrix metering, along with some adjustments in post, have become my best friend. Best of luck. Oh, and stop 'chimping'!
Mar 23, 2019 12:13:27 #
Matrix is still trying to work with the dark shadow area and the brightly lit area.
Have you tried spot metering on the face in these instances?
(My viewfinder does not adjust anything because of settings. I have to take the shot and look at the review image.)
And yea, the bright areas can get blown out. Happens with contrasty scenes.
Have you tried spot metering on the face in these instances?
(My viewfinder does not adjust anything because of settings. I have to take the shot and look at the review image.)
And yea, the bright areas can get blown out. Happens with contrasty scenes.
Mar 23, 2019 12:18:46 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
Jules Karney wrote:
I need some comments here. br Here is my questio... (show quote)
To my eye (which is getting pretty old and sometimes not completely reliable), the overall exposure does not seem grossly out of kelter, except for the very bright highlight area at and behind your subject's ear. Dynamic range is fairly wide in this image, though. You may have to decide to give up a bit of shadow detail to avoid problems...maybe use a less vivid picture control setup or reduce contrast in camera slightly. Also...I have had problems using matrix metering for images like this...it sometimes sets up too much exposure. I'm learning to use Highlight Weighted Metering when shooting in direct sunlight, then fixing shadows later. If that is available to you, it might be something to try.
The other thing I notice is that that the image seems to have something of a blue cast, creating somewhat unpleasant skin tones. Auto White Balance may be getting fooled to go too far to the sunlight end. Adjusting that won't fix exposure, but it might help the image be more pleasing.
Mar 23, 2019 12:24:13 #
Jules Karney wrote:
I need some comments here. br Here is my questio... (show quote)
The back light seems rather subdued, so a full stop may be a bit much, did you meter for the high lights?
Mar 23, 2019 12:56:15 #
Jules Karney wrote:
I need some comments here. br Here is my questio... (show quote)
There's a little blowout on the left shoulder but not that bad. If you go for more exposure you are going to increase the blowout and overexpose the background. In my opinion, overexposed backgrounds detract significantly from the composition.
Instead of trying to correct the exposure for this shot, I would correct the problems in post. I think just by adding some brightness on the face it would be improved a lot, and the background would not look blown out. I tried it, just using Lightroom adjustments (radial filter). Took about 1 minute including importing, adjusting, and exporting from LR. With a bit more work you could lighten up the right arm also.
Mar 23, 2019 13:26:33 #
Mar 23, 2019 13:45:32 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
There's a little blowout on the left shoulder but ... (show quote)
yes better, thanks.
Mar 23, 2019 13:50:26 #
I agree, though I would try to strike a balance between highlights and shadows as done here. Just used the auto tone, auto contrast and auto color buttons in Photoshop and adjusted the sliders in the Shadows/Highlights window.
DirtFarmer wrote:
...
Instead of trying to correct the exposure for this shot, I would correct the problems in post...
Instead of trying to correct the exposure for this shot, I would correct the problems in post...
Mar 23, 2019 13:50:40 #
Mar 23, 2019 14:00:37 #
Jules Karney wrote:
I need some comments here. br Here is my questio... (show quote)
Looking at a viewfinder in bright light is not a good way to judge exposure.
Mar 23, 2019 14:00:51 #
Bobspez wrote:
I agree, though I would try to strike a balance between highlights and shadows as done here. Just used the auto tone, auto contrast and auto color buttons in Photoshop and adjusted the sliders in the Shadows/Highlights window.
Very nice job Bob. I will do that in the future.
Mar 23, 2019 14:01:15 #
Shutterbug57 wrote:
What does your histogram tell you on the back of the camera?
I will check that more often.
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