Re: Good exposure

[P3D Mike Sherer <mikesher@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dr. T writes...

> IMO, there is a range of acceptable ("good") exposures.  This range can be
> as wide as 2 f-stops or more.  The best exposure within this range depends 
> on the viewing conditions as you elaborated.  IMO, there is no such thing 
> as PERFECT exposure.  I have defended my casual approach to exposure and I
> believe that a beginner can get very good results without a $300 light
> by relying on empirical rules or a quick check via an SLR, etc. as I did
> when I got started into 3d.  This is only a personal opinion based on my
> experience and the kind of photography that I practice.  Others claim that
> there is such thing as perfect exposure, 1/2 f-stop can turn an excellent
> slide into garbage and a beginner absolutely needs a good light meter to
> get decent results with, say, a Realist camera.  Go figure...  -- George

I agree that viewing method and its brightness does effect the way a
picture's exposure is perceived, but there are some photographic
situations where there is a perfect exposure.  If the brightness range of
a scene is only 5 stops, the exposure latitude of many slide films, than
setting the camera for the center of the high and low brightness values
in most cases results in an exposure that covers the whole scene
and is in most cases 'perfect'.  

Since most scenes have much more than 5 or so stop
differences in brightness,  3D photographers have many choices on
how to handle the differences creatively by either exposing for a
certain part of the scene or using neutral grad and other filters,
flashes or lighting, or of course using the fine Realist or other older
camera with a lens that isn't so darn contrasty.

It took me using my Realist along side of my 'modern' SLR
to finally understand this and I hope it will help others.

Mike Sherer       Alto, MI


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