P3D Re: Math, meters and the sunniest 16

[Eric Goldstein <egoldste@xxxxxx>]

Kurt Mottweiler wrote:

>   And just as an aside, don't I recall that the icon of photography made
> technical, the indomitable Mr. Adams, made the exposure for his Moonrise
> Hernandez by the use of his own (granted - fairly sophisticated) version of
> sunny 16 - using the moon?


First, welcome to the list. I'm with you, be creative and have fun with
your photography. If that involves a math-based approach, great. If
you're better with controlled experimentation, go for it. Many people
combine the two...

Regarding "Moonrise," yes Adams writes that he couldn't find his meter
so he calculated a guess based on what he remembered to be the
footcandle illumination of a full moon. I wouldn't run with this ball
too far, however, because in spite of heavily compensated development,
he later intensified portions of the negative because he found it a bit
thin...

BTW he printed this negative at least three different ways that I know
of, evolving from medium contrast depictions initially (40's) to much
higher contrast/drama prints in the 60s.


Eric G.


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