P3D Re: Offset from Sunny 16

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

Gary Nored wrote:
> 
> Our PALMs are usually around Zone VI, meaning that you would have to
> increase the exposure by one stop from the meter reading to get it right.

Assuming light of normal contrast, of course.

> Palms are pretty reliable -- all bets are off for any other part of the
> body.

I've read that palms facing the light are Zone VI, while palms
turned 180 degrees from the light (i.e., in the shadow of your
hand) are Zone IV.  Taking readings full lit and shaded can
give an idea of how contrasty your light source is.  Thus if
the difference between the two readings is more than two stops,
the light is high contrast; if less than two stops, the light
is low contrast.  Averaging the two readings should give an
accurate Zone V reading.

Of course the problem I've run into using this technique is
that successive spot meter readings off my palm can vary quite
a bit with the angle I hold my hand to the light, the specific
spot of my palm I point at, etc.  Even this simple technique
can take some practice!

Paul Talbot


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