Chapter 3: Search for the Middle Tones

[anne773]

Here are my before and after photographs . The first is with Evaluative Metering and the Second is with Spot Metering on the gray triangle in the center of the picture. I was amazed at the difference. I know I need to practice this more to get better but here are the settings for both photographs.

Courthouse Evaluative
Shutter: 1/1600
Aperture: f/4.5
Exposure: Aperture Priority
Focal length: 24mm
Metering: Pattern
ISO: 100

CourthouseSpot
Shutter: 1/3200
Aperture: f/3.5
Exposure: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 23mm
Metering: Spot
ISO: 100

I still seem to be having the straightening problem as I had before. Not sure what to do tto correct this. I use the ruler and a straightening tool in iPhoto but it never looks right.

I feel that I am learning so much from the book but need to practice a lot more! Thank you!

Anne

[goldcoastgolfer]

Great to see you understanding the impacts of the different colours in a photo and how the different light metering methods can adjust the colours and tones Anne.  With more practice you'll be able to see the colours in a scene and know whether you need to over or under expose a photo without have to change from pattern metering.

I think your issue with straightening isn't actually an issue   The perspective you have makes all the vertical lines not actually be straight up (call it a perspective distortion issue).  With the shots that you've taken of the building straight on, just work on making sure the horizontal lines are, well, horizontal, and ignore the vertical lines.  If it still seems off, it will be just the vertical lines making the photo appear out of balance.  You might be able to crop the photo in certain places to make it feel more balanced. 

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Mal

[anne773]

Thanks, Mal! I will continue to practice and I look forward to the day that I will just know whether to over or under expose a photo 

I appreciate your thoughts on the straightening and just knowing to make sure the horizontal lines are horizontal is something I will focus on in the future.

I'm off to the next chapter!

Best,
Anne

[goldcoastgolfer]

Oh - just to clarify how to know whether something is straight or not (and hopefully I'm keeping it simple).

If you're taking a photo front on so that you have a flat surface in front of you, focus on using the horizontal lines to level your image.

If you're taking a photo so that you have a corner of an object in front of you, you'll find the vertical lines are the straight ones and other lines go an angle so in that instance focus on making the vertical lines straight.

It actually varies from photo to photo and experience will lead you to know which lines you need to focus on to keep your image level.  If you're ever unsure just post one up and I can have a look at it.

[anne773]

Thanks for the clarification - it helps!