Xmas lights at night, exposure

[P3D Gary Nored <gnored@xxxxxxx>]

Steve Owsley asked about exposure for xmas lights. I did some 
experimenting...

I went out with my Pentax spotmeter and measured the xmas lights across
the street. I got an EV of 5 for the red ones and EV6 for the white. The
house they were hanging on ranged from EV2 to EV4.

So, assuming an ASA=100 film, if you exposed for the red lights, these
EVs would translate into 4 seconds at f/11. 8 seconds would make the
white lights look more realistic, but then the red ones would be more on
the pink side since they would be in Zone VI.

Then I checked the handiest book in the universe -- the Kodak Pocket
PhotoGuide. Under EXISTING LIGHT, Category G: Christmas Lighting at 
Night, I find for film speeds ASA 64-100, 8 seconds at f/11 -- just 
what you'd expect for the most realistic rendering. At that exposure,
some of the house would show as well.

Now I can't guarantee anything since I've never actually tried it,
but I get excellent results with my spotmeter. And, since my two 
most trusted sources agree, I'd say it's worth a try.

May the luck of the great god Photon be with you.

Gary


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