Understanding Exposure-Bryan Peterson

I went to a 2-day photo seminar over the weekend and one of the classes was about advanced exposure, and it reminded me of this thread. The instructor was pretty close to Peterson's method of dialing in the exposure in manual with a few variations. I gotta say, this instructor was the first person who has been able to convince me that there are times where these methods have a place. I can't say that I'm a 180 degree convert, but I think I can say that in some situations I definitely see a use and plan to use them. Sometimes.

I'm almost done reading this book. I have a couple of questions that I was hoping someone could help me understand. I do most of my shooting with my Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, and my Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6 lenses.

The parts that I am having a tough time understanding are as follows:

On pages 38-39, he talks about using the distance setting on the lens, and not focusing at all. I just can't seem to grasp this. For example, my Tamron lens has distance settings (in ft) of 1.5, 2, 3, and infinity, while my Canon has 4, 7, 15, 50 and infinity. Maybe I'm just being dense, but I really am not getting that.

Also, probably somewhat related, on page 132, he states, "After setting my depth of field via the distance settings on my lens (in this case setting five feet out ahead of the center focus mark)..." What in the world does that mean?

BluewookieJim wrote in post #5317319
On pages 38-39, he talks about using the distance setting on the lens, and not focusing at all. I just can't seem to grasp this. For example, my Tamron lens has distance settings (in ft) of 1.5, 2, 3, and infinity, while my Canon has 4, 7, 15, 50 and infinity. Maybe I'm just being dense, but I really am not getting that.

Probably easier to think of your Canon lens with this example. All the numbers are just rough estimates. Google depth of field calculator for some good numbers.

On pg 38, he could set the aperture at say f/8, whatever given focal length and he knows the DoF will be say, 10ft. So he puts the focus ring at 15ft and gets from 10ft through 20ft in focus. No need to autofocus or "think" about what he's focusing on. That yields some foreground flowers in focus and the tree out of focus.

BluewookieJim wrote in post #5317319
Also, probably somewhat related, on page 132, he states, "After setting my depth of field via the distance settings on my lens (in this case setting five feet out ahead of the center focus mark)..." What in the world does that mean?

Same thing. Except in the picture on pg 132 the in focus rock was "placed" in the middle of the area of "in focus".

It is worded a little wierd. This is my take on it anyway.
Hope it helps.

Some may flame me, and others may say Im a POTN fanboy,
But honestly, Ive learned more here than that book.

The book is pretty good, but I continually come here to learn.

Angry Dad wrote in post #5318007
Some may flame me, and others may say Im a POTN fanboy,
But honestly, Ive learned more here than that book.

The book is pretty good, but I continually come here to learn.

I'd modify your statement just slightly:

Books are good for learning...

Hanging out on POTN is a great way to find out if you are correctly applying what you've learned...

I bought my first SLR , the AE-1 over 25 years ago. I struggled learning about exposure until I read his book (1st version) then it all made sense. I still think that it's the best book available for novices.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #5318013
I'd modify your statement just slightly:

Books are good for learning...

Hanging out on POTN is a great way to find out if you are correctly applying what you've learned...

Your response had me thinking for a minute. But then I thought of how much I learned about historgrams and Flash work just from right here on this forum.

Im not saying I couldnt read a book and find the same information, but I like this forum. I learn, AND I can ask questions.

Angry Dad wrote in post #5318307
Your response had me thinking for a minute. But then I thought of how much I learned about historgrams and Flash work just from right here on this forum.

Im not saying I couldnt read a book and find the same information, but I like this forum. I learn, AND I can ask questions.

Ditto for me. I read that book - and really learned a lot from it. I highly recommend it for people struggling with elements of the "holy trinity" (ISO, S-Speed, Aperture). However POTN is the addendum to ALL books for me. What I *really* like about POTN is that I can ask really dumb questions and get reliable answers without anybody flaming me or CALLING me dumb..

I like the book, It helped me a lot, but there is one person from POTN who helped me more than Peterson - tdodd
Peterson is a good starting point. After that you need POTN.