Sekonic Metering question....

[tghaines]

Hi guys and galls,

I have had some great success using M and my Sekonic 558R Meter, but I'm stumped.

My question is, If I am in the shade (under a tree) and the subject is in full sun light, how do you meter that? If you take an incident reading from under the tree, the subject will be over exposed. If I spot meter it's reflective metering and that can be off.

Are there more choices that getting an incident reading from directly off the subject? this can be kinda hard when there running in a Triathlon. :rolleyes:

I would still like to use the Sekonic meter as I don't really trust the 1D metering, but if that's all I have then that's ok.

Thanks for the help.

[coreypolis]

you meter for the lighting the subject is in, it doesn't matter where you are shooting from.

if you did an incident meter in the sun, though you really don't need to if you know sunny 16, it'll be the same whether you are shooting from a sun lit area or a black cave.

you can meter for a similar area if you can't mater from the subject, or take an incident reading and know how to adjust for it. I'd look for a book on understanding metering

[tghaines]

you meter for the lighting the subject is in, it doesn't matter where you are shooting from.

Thanks. I am ok with metering when I am out there as well (i.e. in the same light). I have done this before with great results.

I have to shoot an event this weekend and I was planning to sit in the shade for as much of it as I can. I guess I have to get out into the light to meter, then back in!!;)

Cheers,

[coreypolis]

if its a bright sunny day with little to no cloud cover and the sun is above 10º over the horizon, there is a photographic rule called sunny 16 / basic daylight exposure.

The rule states that if the above facts are true, a properly exposed image can be taken at any equivalent exposure to f/16 @ 1/iso. so if you are shooting iso 100, a exposure of 1/100 @ f/16 will be properly exposed. You can then make an equivalent exposure of
f/11 @ 1/200
f/8 @ 1/400
F5.6 @ 1/800
F/4 @ 1/1600


etc and all the ones in between. If it was iso 640 it would be an equivalent exposure to f/16 @ 1/640.

[Wilt]

Incident metering means measuring the light that is falling upon the subject. By definition, your reading must be in similar lighting. Since you are measing the light striking the scene, the brightness of your subject (white gown, black tux) does not matter. If there is any difference at all between the light at the subject location and your location, incident metering is OUT as a consideration unless you can get to the subject location or light that is similar to its location.
Reflective metering means metering the light that is bouncing back from the subject to the camera. Because it is bouncing back to you, it is also subject to subject brightness-induced errors (white gown, black tux) . it does not matter what light you are in, only the light that strikes the subject and bounces to your lens.

[tghaines]

Thanks guys. I was hoping for something clever, but you just have to be in the "same light" eh?

I'll gove it a shot. Thanks.

[deadpass]

Thanks guys. I was hoping for something clever, but you just have to be in the "same light" eh?

I'll gove it a shot. Thanks.

you don't have to shoot in the same light, just meter in the same light, aka, walking up to the subject and taking a meter reading.