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Exposure Triangle Game
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Oct 27, 2020 01:42:45   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
For my own amusement, I created this card game where camera exposure settings (Exposure triangle) can be mixed and matched and predict the general outcome of the image.

The reference values & their relationships are mainly arbitrary. Meaning that it generally goes to the right direction but is not a point accurate value. Never the less, it can be used as a loose guide on what outcome to expect from the settings.

Hence, this game might be interesting for novice photographers wanting a better grasp & understanding on how the triangle of exposure relate to actual use.


A. The target of the game is to make a priority and then create a combination that matches the priority.
B. 3 main set of cards have values printed on them and must always be used in series.
C. They can be combined in any order but there must always be a representative for each.
D. There are 3 playing boards namely Cloudy Median, Sunlight and Shade. This is where the main cards are laid over starting from the left side and combined to reach the desired exposure.
E. The median board is set to accept 10cards to provide correct exposure. Less than ten and it would be under exposed, while more than ten will lead to over exposure.
F. There are 2 Wild cards - Flash & ND Filter, that can be used to modify the board so it will take less or more cards.
G. Once the cards are laid out on the board, compute the values for each data and get the projected outcome of the combinations. Sorry for the math LOL.
H. Every brick is 1 stop of adjustment and also caries an Exposure Value (EV) which may go up or down as the case may be.
I. When using a Flash modifier card, the Shutter speed must be 250 or less


I've included some sample combinations as a guide. Enjoy!!!!

I hope some readers find this interesting and helpful. Cheers!!!


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

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Oct 27, 2020 04:40:41   #
Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.
 
I would be more interested in getting the picture taken, (In the can), than in 'Playing cards', first.

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Oct 27, 2020 05:37:40   #
MSW
 
ayup - what Pablo said is a good point.

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Oct 27, 2020 06:12:29   #
Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south
 
Your opening phrase is the key to it all "For my own amusement"...

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Oct 27, 2020 07:14:55   #
tomcat
 
I think you need 2 versions of this game. One for Beginners without the EV, blur, etc. Only f/stop apertures, shutter speed, and ISO values on the 3 cards. I'm going to do this tonight for a lady that I'm teaching to do gym shots. Since covid is still around, I'm not going into the gym this Fall to shoot basketball. She is a school administrator in charge of the yearbook, so I'm giving her a crash course in low light photography. She has an equipment handicap (crop sensor camera and kit lens), but she has come quite a ways with raw so far. Thanks to LR and Topaz AI Clear, we've got some usable 2x3 images for the yearbook.

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Oct 27, 2020 08:19:16   #
BebuLamar
 
What are the EV value means? I need a more thorough explanation of the game. Please.
I think you should use dices too.

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Oct 27, 2020 08:49:52   #
tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio
 
I'll see you're f8 and raise you f16

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Oct 27, 2020 10:28:00   #
tomcat
 
tradio wrote:
I'll see you're f8 and raise you f16


Does a pair of f/8s trump an f/16?

Maybe in the Air Force version. Ha ha.

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Oct 27, 2020 12:19:26   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
tomcat wrote:
I think you need 2 versions of this game. One for Beginners without the EV, blur, etc. Only f/stop apertures, shutter speed, and ISO values on the 3 cards. I'm going to do this tonight for a lady that I'm teaching to do gym shots. Since covid is still around, I'm not going into the gym this Fall to shoot basketball. She is a school administrator in charge of the yearbook, so I'm giving her a crash course in low light photography. She has an equipment handicap (crop sensor camera and kit lens), but she has come quite a ways with raw so far. Thanks to LR and Topaz AI Clear, we've got some usable 2x3 images for the yearbook.
I think you need 2 versions of this game. One fo... (show quote)


You can choose to ignore the smaller data at the moment and focus on the card title. Then when they are familiar with it, explain the smaller data afterwards.

A good thing about the small data is that when the total value is calculated correctly, it will tell the player what is the expected outcome of the image with the given combination they choose.
As an example, if the BG Blur (Background Blur) is a high number, it means you get a sharp image of the subject and the background is blurry and possibly with a lot of bokeh orbs. Good for portraits.

If the DOF is a high number, then almost everything will be in focus. Good for landscape.

Hence if the player wants a certain setting, say for example a lot of motion blur for a picture of a stream with the creamy water, then strive to put as much card as possible that would get a high "motion blur value". see "Sample 7 forest stream".

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Oct 27, 2020 14:52:57   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
BebuLamar wrote:
What are the EV value means? I need a more thorough explanation of the game. Please.
I think you should use dices too.


EV is Exposure Value. It is the amount of light available in a scene. In the old days, a photo meter is used to find this value. In todays modern camera, it is shown in the viewfinder. The value depends on the area being measured by the metering mode. In a Nikon it is a divided linear graph with a plus & minus sign on each end.
+ -----|----- -

If your camera exposure setting is incorrect, the bar highlights the side that it is over or under exposed, the length shows how much "off" to the side of the wrong setting the exposure is. In this sample, the metering says the setting is several stops under exposed.
+ -----|----- -

In the real world, adjustments to correct exposure setting to this EV value can be modified so that each click (or step) can be 1 full stop, 1/2 stop or 1/3 stop of change. That is because a stop is a big value. A full stop is is either to double the total amount of light allowed into the sensor or cut the light in half.

In the game, the EV value is fixed to equal to 1 f-stop of change for every card.

In the median board(Cloudy lighting scenario), proper exposure needs 10 cards. Less than that and the image will be darker (EV -number) and if more than that, the image will be lighter(EV +number). So the player has 10 slots to mix and match the 3 main cards depending on what is the priority.
In the bright light scenario-Sunlight, the proper exposure use only 8 cards. The Playing board is marked with EV-2 because with reference to the median setting, it is 2EV brighter. If we add this -2 to the total EV in 8 cards, it would be 0 or proper exposure. This is assuming that you were set to median light, then suddenly the sun came out. You are now over exposed with your present setting. Hence if (you adjust the camera settings) take away 2EV, then you will be ok for the bright scene. The opposite is applies to the Shade playing board.
The correct exposure for the board being used should be zero. With reference to 10, any number after ten will be -EV for every tile and numbers below 10 will add +EV each.


As for playing with a dice, that is a very good idea.
With a dice, it can be also played with 2 or more players.
Decide who goes first or each player throws a dice and the highest number starts the game. If the highest digit is thrown is by 2 or more players, each who get the highest digit shall throw again.
If there is more than 2 players, second player would be to the left of the starting player and so on.

Have 10 flash cards & 10 ND Modifier cards, mix and lay face down as draw cards for doubles thrown by the dice during gameplay.

I recommend using 3 six sided dice as its minimum number would be 3. The minimum card required.
The number throwed would be the size of the playing board. Still with reference to 10, any number after ten will add -EV and numbers below 10 a +EV.
3 would be a very bright scenario, something like an atomic blast and would definitely mean a zero points turn because there would not be any choice to it.

After throwing the 3 dice to have the size of the board, a single dice will be thrown. This will now set the need of the scene.
With a correct exposure:
1=Freeze me (get the lowest motion blur)
2=Butter light (get the highest motion blur)
3=Bright eyes (seek the lowest ISO)
4=Best bokeh (highest BG Blur is king)
5=The Landscape(aim for the smallest aperture)
6= Choose for the player (Be imaginative - give a good challenge)

Then the last 2 dice is thrown again.

The player can then decide which of the numbers up on the 2 dice will be his target and prize point.

Example, a player on his first throw gets 2, 3 & 4.
So the playing board for that round would be 9EV long. Since its less than 10blocks, a -1 EV will be counted with it. That is a slightly brighter scenery

At the 4rth dice we get a 4, so his aim would be to get the highest Background Blur possible in the 9EV board.

5th & 6th dice we get a 3 & 4.
He can choose to aim to surpass the lower number(3) and get 4 points.
or
He can aim to surpass the higher number(4)and get more points for every number more than 4.
Example: If the player was able to get BG Blur +6, then he/she gets 4+2 points.
or
He can add both numbers and if able to equal or surpass it, player gets 12 points!

Player also gets a chance to draw a modifier card because the last 3 dice throw has a double number. 4-3-4

If it was a triple like 1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3, 4-4-4, 5-5-5 & 6-6-6, he draws 3 modifier cards.
Modifier cards can be used in any of his turns. But at the end of the game, each modifier not used is equal to minus 10 points.

The next player only throws 3 dice and follows the rule or dice 4,5 & 6.
After all players have played the board, then a new board will be played. This time, the second player will throw the board size, even though it will still be played first by the starting player. The next player will throw the third board and so on, after all players have played the board thrown.

Game can be played in a best of 5 or best of 10, or first to get 50points etc.

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Oct 28, 2020 03:47:24   #
Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.
 
Wallen wrote:
EV is Exposure Value. It is the amount of light available in a scene. In the old days, a photo meter is used to find this value. In todays modern camera, it is shown in the viewfinder. The value depends on the area being measured by the metering mode. In a Nikon it is a divided linear graph with a plus & minus sign on each end.
+ -----|----- -

If your camera exposure setting is incorrect, the bar highlights the side that it is over or under exposed, the length shows how much "off" to the side of the wrong setting the exposure is. In this sample, the metering says the setting is several stops under exposed.
+ -----|----- -

In the real world, adjustments to correct exposure setting to this EV value can be modified so that each click (or step) can be 1 full stop, 1/2 stop or 1/3 stop of change. That is because a stop is a big value. A full stop is is either to double the total amount of light allowed into the sensor or cut the light in half.

In the game, the EV value is fixed to equal to 1 f-stop of change for every card.

In the median board(Cloudy lighting scenario), proper exposure needs 10 cards. Less than that and the image will be darker (EV -number) and if more than that, the image will be lighter(EV +number). So the player has 10 slots to mix and match the 3 main cards depending on what is the priority.
In the bright light scenario-Sunlight, the proper exposure use only 8 cards. The Playing board is marked with EV-2 because with reference to the median setting, it is 2EV brighter. If we add this -2 to the total EV in 8 cards, it would be 0 or proper exposure. This is assuming that you were set to median light, then suddenly the sun came out. You are now over exposed with your present setting. Hence if (you adjust the camera settings) take away 2EV, then you will be ok for the bright scene. The opposite is applies to the Shade playing board.
The correct exposure for the board being used should be zero. With reference to 10, any number after ten will be -EV for every tile and numbers below 10 will add +EV each.


As for playing with a dice, that is a very good idea.
With a dice, it can be also played with 2 or more players.
Decide who goes first or each player throws a dice and the highest number starts the game. If the highest digit is thrown is by 2 or more players, each who get the highest digit shall throw again.
If there is more than 2 players, second player would be to the left of the starting player and so on.

Have 10 flash cards & 10 ND Modifier cards, mix and lay face down as draw cards for doubles thrown by the dice during gameplay.

I recommend using 3 six sided dice as its minimum number would be 3. The minimum card required.
The number throwed would be the size of the playing board. Still with reference to 10, any number after ten will add -EV and numbers below 10 a +EV.
3 would be a very bright scenario, something like an atomic blast and would definitely mean a zero points turn because there would not be any choice to it.

After throwing the 3 dice to have the size of the board, a single dice will be thrown. This will now set the need of the scene.
With a correct exposure:
1=Freeze me (get the lowest motion blur)
2=Butter light (get the highest motion blur)
3=Bright eyes (seek the lowest ISO)
4=Best bokeh (highest BG Blur is king)
5=The Landscape(aim for the smallest aperture)
6= Choose for the player (Be imaginative - give a good challenge)

Then the last 2 dice is thrown again.

The player can then decide which of the numbers up on the 2 dice will be his target and prize point.

Example, a player on his first throw gets 2, 3 & 4.
So the playing board for that round would be 9EV long. Since its less than 10blocks, a -1 EV will be counted with it. That is a slightly brighter scenery

At the 4rth dice we get a 4, so his aim would be to get the highest Background Blur possible in the 9EV board.

5th & 6th dice we get a 3 & 4.
He can choose to aim to surpass the lower number(3) and get 4 points.
or
He can aim to surpass the higher number(4)and get more points for every number more than 4.
Example: If the player was able to get BG Blur +6, then he/she gets 4+2 points.
or
He can add both numbers and if able to equal or surpass it, player gets 12 points!

Player also gets a chance to draw a modifier card because the last 3 dice throw has a double number. 4-3-4

If it was a triple like 1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3, 4-4-4, 5-5-5 & 6-6-6, he draws 3 modifier cards.
Modifier cards can be used in any of his turns. But at the end of the game, each modifier not used is equal to minus 10 points.

The next player only throws 3 dice and follows the rule or dice 4,5 & 6.
After all players have played the board, then a new board will be played. This time, the second player will throw the board size, even though it will still be played first by the starting player. The next player will throw the third board and so on, after all players have played the board thrown.

Game can be played in a best of 5 or best of 10, or first to get 50points etc.
EV is Exposure Value. It is the amount of light av... (show quote)


And while you are all playing with cards/dice, I am gathering quite a few shots in my camera.

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Oct 28, 2020 06:38:17   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
Pablo8 wrote:
And while you are all playing with cards/dice, I am gathering quite a few shots in my camera.


But if you don't play the game how will you know if you got the correct exposure?

--

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Oct 28, 2020 07:09:09   #
BebuLamar
 
Bill_de wrote:
But if you don't play the game how will you know if you got the correct exposure?

--


The problem is I still don't know how to play the game.

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Oct 28, 2020 08:42:54   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Clever. It's funny, but I've often thought vaguely about turning that in to a game. Good for you. Have you contacted Milton-Bradley yet?

EDIT: You have to develop that into a board game with dice.

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Oct 28, 2020 09:49:19   #
KiwiRuss
 
Just finished teaching a photography class for a small group of 12-17 year olds. I wish I had the card game. Perhaps consider seeing if this game could be converted into an app.

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