International photographer (Jan-Dec 1941)

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Exposure Meter (Continued from page 18) reading. Pictures taken without a reading of this type expose the scene just about as the eye sees it, and many times the result is under-exposure of the subject. Hand measurement is also a useful device in taking sport pictures. For example, if you want the detail of a skier coming over an extremely bright foreground, take a reading off the back of your hand held in the light the subject will appear in. The measurement can be taken, camera adjusted, and proper exposure can be obtained when the subject is in position. This is a good method to remember for all types of candid shots, too. For indoor work there are two methods of measuring light. The reflected light method can be used with brilliantly-lighted photoflood scenes. However, the reading should be taken close to the subject to overcome the tendency to over-expose caused bv the dark background. The incident light method is very accurate and convenient in taking indoor pictures. It indicates an average over-all exposure and the best results are obtained. Under certain specific conditions the incident light method will give the better color film exposure. Since the photoelectric cell is more sensitive to the blue colors than the red in the spectral response curve, a more accurate exposure can be obtained when the color of the subject does not influence the meter. In the case of a flower, for example, a reflected light measurement of the scene would cause an over-exposure of the flower portion because the exposure meter attempts to balance the exposure for the dark green leaves that surround the scene plus the flower. In most cases the flower is the main part of interest, and the leaves of secondary interest. Therefore, an exposure obtained from a reflected light reading will cause the flower to photograph lighter than it normally should, and will cause the dark green leaves to photograph a lighter green than they are. Therefore, we can obtain a truer photograph by measuring incident light. With the directional hood removed, the G-E meter can be used very effectively to balance lighting and measure the difference between the highlights and the shadow reading of the subject and scene. This facilitates special effects obtainable by Tones in a seme such as this may cover eighl F stops, as shown. controlling the illumination. For color film work it is easy to keep the ratio between the high and low-light portions as 4 to 1, or at the 2 to 1 ratio for best results. The same thing can be done for black and white work. For example, a high key photograph can be lighted and controlled by measuring the light to keep a ratio of 2 to 1. An average scene will be 4 or 5 to 1 ratio. Special effects, low key and high contrast pictures can be made by making the illumination as high as 10 to 1, or 12 to 1. Some outdoor scenes can have a ratio of 128 to 1 but the average photographicpaper can only print a range of 30 to 1, so that even though we have a great range on our films, it is impossible to reproduce this full brightness range in the final print. The sensitive curve of the paper of course, can be made to somewhat approach that of the photographic film by means of dodging when an enlargement is made. This actually reshapes the H and D curve of the paper by stretching and bending it around until it more nearly fits the H and D curve of the film. On the average scene this special work is not necessary; but in some conditions a better print will result when the two H and D curves are more nearly matched by dodging when the enlargement is made. This is by no means the end of the exposure meter's usefulness. With hood removed it can be used to measure light transmitted through a negative for correct exposure in printing or enlarging. Numerous variables that are encountered in printing prevent a calculator as simple as is used with films being made for paper. Photographic paper is inclined to vary more than photographic film and secondly, paper developer formulas are more varied than film formulas. Last but not least, the personal element must enter in as to the type of print the operator desires. This is something that cannot be measured and to compensate for this unknown, it is necessary to take a reading on the first negative and make a test print. This gives us complete allowance for all of these variables. For example, if the first negative reads 10 and the test time is 20 seconds and the next negative reads 5 on the meter, the required time would be 40 seconds, i.e., 10 times 20 over 5 equals 40. It is very easy to go through an entire row or group of negatives and determine quickly the correct exposure time. Use the formula — first meter reading times test-time over the meter reading of unknown equals the new printing time. By using this accurately and consistently you can produce prints of the same quality as determined by the first test print. This same method may be used when a contact print is made. To determine exposure time when contact printing, place the meter cell face down on the negative in the contact printer. Make two or three measurements to determine average density. To follow this procedure when making 26