White birds (Page 3): Given that you are shooting in bright sunlight, in general use matrix metering or evaluative metering and then set some level of negative exposure compensation.

photoman43

Rgandel wrote:

What is the best way to photograph white birds without blowing out the highlights?

Given that you are shooting in bright sunlight, in general use matrix metering or evaluative metering and then set some level of negative exposure compensation. The amount set can vary with the camera body and light conditions. The key is to see detail in the whites of feathers and avoid feathers or birds that look too "grey". My starting amount might be a -.7 or maybe a -1.0. I am rarely at anything greater than -1.7.

If you are using a mirrorless camera the effects of the exp comp settings should be present in the viewfinder before you take the image. Being able to preview the impact of such changes is a major benefit of suing a mirrorless camera.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

Rgandel wrote:

What is the best way to photograph white birds without blowing out the highlights?

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Meter off of an 18% gray card or take an incident lightmeter reading.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

photoman43 wrote:

Given that you are shooting in bright sunlight, in... (show quote)

Agreed, mirrorless makes the process easier.

Thanks

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Rgandel wrote:

Agreed, mirrorless makes the process easier.

Thanks

With the process I used, that I described earlier (you can look it up) it is just as easy with a DSLR as it is with a mirrorless. Makes no difference.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Sony has, imo, a remarkable exposure method that helps make the issue of proper exposure for whites a non-issue. The technology is referred to a "zebras". When set up properly, zebras will show up on over exposed portions of your frame and can be controlled by whatever parameter you choose (aperture, shutter speed, or ISO). With birds or other action subjects when you need to react quickly, I find adjusting ISO to be the easiest method. It's my understanding that this is not the same as blinks, in other systems. Tell me if I am wrong; blinkys are applied to the
JPEG image you are looking at in your camera and can misrepresent the proper exposure of a raw file which has greater dynamic range. Using zebras requires a bit of calibration for the camera you are using, but once set up properly, can provide a method of controlling highlights in whatever situation you are encountering, not just white birds. Other manufactures may also provide this exposure control method but I am not familiar with them. Good luck.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Nalu wrote:

Sony has, imo, a remarkable exposure method that h... (show quote)

Thanks

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Nalu wrote:

Sony has, imo, a remarkable exposure method that helps make the issue of proper exposure for whites a non-issue. The technology is referred to a "zebras". When set up properly, zebras will show up on over exposed portions of your frame and can be controlled by whatever parameter you choose (aperture, shutter speed, or ISO).

Sony and Nikon have an even better trick for white birds, Highlight or Highlight Weighted meter mode. It ensures that the brightest white feathers will never go above the raw limit.

The only thing you need to watch out for are highlights that might actually be brighter than the feathers. But this will only happen if there is a light source or the reflection of a light source in the frame because white feathers are about the most reflective of all natural objects.

For more information, take a look at Backlit scene using Highlight Weighted Metering

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

selmslie wrote:

Sony and Nikon have an even better trick for white... (show quote)

Never heard of that. I'll check it out. I may be wrong, but do you use it in some sort of auto exposure mode?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Nalu wrote:

Sony has, imo, a remarkable exposure method that h... (show quote)

On a white bird in bright sunlight zebras can be "sometimes" be miss leading. Manual exposures are best and going down a couple of stops underexposed usually gets the bright lite feathers good and shadows can be brought back in post.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Nalu wrote:

Never heard of that. I'll check it out. I may be wrong, but do you use it in some sort of auto exposure mode?

It’s like matrix metering but the exposure is reduced if the highlights are bright. It’s ideal for white feathers, white cloth and bright clouds.

It’s a lot easier than trying to guess how much to reduce the exposure.

You have to be shooting raw because occasionally some of the image might be a little dark.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I under expose and, in processing, I deepen the shadows and bump up the texture.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

mizzee wrote:

I under expose and, in processing, I deepen the shadows and bump up the texture.

Thanks,

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

Rgandel wrote:

What is the best way to photograph white birds without blowing out the highlights?

Some seem to respond as if the first shot is the only image that will be taken and it has to be perfect.

Experiment and use your camera's histogram. Also enable the highlight over exposure warning feature. You'll catch on quickly.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

imagextrordinair wrote:

Some seem to respond as if the first shot is the only image that will be taken and it has to be perfect.

Experiment and use your camera's histogram. Also enable the highlight over exposure warning feature. You'll catch on quickly.

Using a histogram in bright light on a white bird may lead to false readings. Histograms are good for many things but you are much better off using manual exposure based on a green reading of grass or leaves which are lite the same as the bird. Then under exposing 2 to 3 stops. This can be done ahead of time and then you are ready to capture that all white bird in bright sun instantly. I have used this for years and it works every time. The more you practice this, the better you will get at it.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

billnikon wrote:

Using a histogram in bright light on a white bird ... (show quote)

If highlight weighted metering sounds too difficult, Sunny 16 will work (or LV 15, 1/3 stop darker) will work just as well with a white bird in direct sunlight.