Light Meter Readings for Film and Digital

Reflected Light Readings for Film and Digital Images

In order to correctly expose your film or digital CCD there are two variables that must be identified: average reflectance and average light. Unless you have some good reason to meter for other than these two averages, stick meticulously to the method outlined below.

This article deals with reflected light readings. This is the type of light reading taken with an in camera light meter or a hand held meter which is pointed toward the subject. This article does not deal with incident light readings which are a measure of the light falling on the subject.

Average Reflectance

A white painted wall, snow or the ocean reflect most of the light falling on them. A burnt tree, a black fireplace or a coal mine reflect little of the light falling on them.A mid tone falls halfway between these extremes and reflects 18% of the light falling on it. The ISO rating of film or a digital CCD is set so this mid tone is exposed as a mid tone.

Identify a Mid Tone

Identify a mid tone for average reflectance and meter off that. Look for some green grass or foliage, mid tone rocks or bare dirt, weathered timber or whatever you can find that is somewhere in the middle between dull black and shiny white. If you are unable to escape a predominance of one extreme or the other in your framed image, then find an area to meter else where.

If need be, point the meter toward yourself and meter your clothes or else take your coat off, throw it on the ground and meter that.

Sand at the beach, or the palm of your hand are about one stop too bright. These can be used to meter off but you must compensate and the liklihood of a mistake is introduced.

Average Light

Average light is half way between light and shadow. If it's overcast there isn't so much difference between the two extremities as when it's sunny but you still should take a reading of the average light.

Identify Average Light

If you are metering off some trees and scrub in full sun you'll probably find that the scene makes it's own shadows within the foliage. Be careful because the amount of sun and shadow can be confusing.

If metering a tree, aim your meter such that you read off half sun and half shadow on the tree trunk, then if need be, move around the tree to your chosen photo spot to capture the image. On a rough barked tree such as a pine tree, make sure that the texture of the bark on the sunny part has not created half shadow.

If metering a building, meter off a corner so you get one wall in the sun and the adjacent wall in the building's own shadow. Alternatively, meter half the sunlit building and half the shadow on the ground.

When photographing the landscape I always take my own shadow with me. Yes, as long as the sun is shining my shadow will be there with me. I crouch down and meter off the ground and point the meter so half of it reads my shadow and the other half reads the sunny area. That's my reading till the light changes. If I have any doubts about the average reading, I take a reading from the shadow area and another from the sunny area, then see if my average light reading is in the middle.

Metering Indoors

When photographing indoors by window light, be sure to meter for the average of the subtle difference between light and shadow. This difused, directional light, according to my view of the world, is the most attractive and useful light for photography. Although the level is low, the quality is high. Strive to meter it acurately.

Laurie McArthur is a wilderness landscape photographer, based on the New South Wales Far South Coast, Australia.
Laurie's images may be viewed at http://www.southimage.net/

shuttle from O'Hare Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Attackers use caller ID spoofing and AI voices to steal money. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides seven ways to protect yourself.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about the Genesis GV60 MIV, an electric rescue EV with snow tracks for extreme missions.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you ensure a smooth online experience with a reliable, secure home network setup.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about Vollebak’s Shielding Suit, which blocks EM radiation, infrared and tracking for privacy.
Even Apple products are vulnerable to cybercriminals, and a new report suggests the owners of Mac products will have to be more vigilant this year.
An inflatable six-person tiny house from a firm called 2001 looks like a space station with its inflatable dome that is transportable and eco-friendly.
Scams cost Americans an estimated $159 billion every year and average about $3,500 in losses per victim. The CyberGuy has advice to protect yourself.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Zeekr and Waymo are joining forces for the world's first mass-produced autonomous vehicle, combining an electric vehicle with self-driving technology.
A humanoid robot training center has opened in Shanghai, a big step in China's efforts to become a global leader in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Security experts have discovered that hackers are targeting apps on the App Store to spread malware that steals information from saved screenshots.
A new luxury SUV combines military-inspired design and high-end luxury transportation and includes two military-grade gas masks to protect against chemical warfare.
80% of stalking victims are tracked using tech. GPS trackers, like AirTags, are among the most popular ways to do it. Here's how to protect yourself.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how to protect yourself against artificial intelligence-fueled romance scams, which have become the most common type of fraud in 2025.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the steps to declutter text messages on a Mac or iPad. Apple offers ways to do this more efficiently.
Here's how to take control of the algorithms on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok if your social media feeds aren't showing you content you want to see.
Beware of iCloud scams using urgent messages. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you spot the red flags to protect yourself.
Travel abroad worry-free with these top translation apps for travelers. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson highlights some favorites.
The European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope was going through preliminary tests in September 2023 when it captured images of an Einstein Ring in a nearby galaxy.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says hackers are using Microsoft Teams for phishing, vishing and quishing via social engineering.
Red light camera tickets: Not liable to ID the driver; some are fishing expeditions. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you fight back against tricky fake tickets.
The apps collecting the most data about you are among the most widely used. Kurt the CyberGuy takes a look at 20 of these apps and how you can protect personal information.
AST SpaceMobile of Texas is developing the world's first global cellular broadband network that can connect directly to your smartphone without special equipment.
Community Health Center, a Connecticut-based healthcare provider, has disclosed a recent data breach affecting over 1 million people in the U.S.

Taking Professional Quality Pictures

By now I'm sure you've used Either a digital or... Read More

How to Easily Start Up Your Own New Photography Business From Home

With modern technology in the form of SLR digital cameras,... Read More

Take Spectacular Nighttime Photos with your Digital Camera - Part I

Night photographs express a special something that cannot be seen... Read More

Help! My Old Colour Photo has Turned Pink ? 5 Minute Digital Fix

Almost all of us will have seen this particular photographic... Read More

Magic and the Photograph

It was widely reported in the press (15 September 1997)... Read More

Light and Depth of Field

With such a fantastic device as the digital camera for... Read More

Using Film Speed Effectively (Black & White Film Thoughts)

It's hard to find sometimes but it's making a resurgence,... Read More

Digital Cameras & Resolution

While analyzing any camera, one of the most important qualities... Read More

Inspired Vision

A picture is worth a thousand words, so goes a... Read More

Exposure Compensation

The digital camera is in reality a great possession with... Read More

CCTV Camera Tip: Apply Simple Common Sense when Picking CCTV Cameras and Lenses

Get a good face shot: Use Higher quality cameras at... Read More

Photography Workshops and Master Classes

Several years ago, I met a fellow photographer - albeit,... Read More

Sony Digital Cameras - Always On The Innovation Frontier

Sony was the first company to introduce digital cameras into... Read More

Optimize Your Photos for the Web

It doesn't matter if your emailing photos of your grandson... Read More

How To Become A Digital Photography Pro

Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people... Read More

Becoming A Digital Artist On A Budget

So, you want to become a digital artist but paying... Read More

The Arizona Desert Museum

The vast beauty and richness of the desert can be... Read More

Photography: The Basics

Photography comes from the Greek words meaning "light writing" and... Read More

The Paradigm: Going Digital

As you might imagine the paradigm shift from traditional film-based... Read More

Photography Success Without School

What I learned from a mentor that enabled me to... Read More

Everybody is Fixing Their House or Apartment Up These Days. Use That Digital Camera to Capture

That's right, you go through all the trouble of making... Read More

Selecting Good Stock Photography in the Age of Digital

The business of stock photography has drastically changed over the... Read More

How Can I Preserve My Lifetime of Memories in Photographs?

Like most folks you have probably have organized and sorted... Read More

Get The Most Out of Your Digital Camera Today!

Point and click. The new life of digital cameras gives... Read More

Tips for Taking Better Vacation Photos

Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More

Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..