Steve'sDigicams

calr · Oct 5, 2011, 10:49 AM

The very first challenge in this forum back in 2004 was "White on White". I think it would be good to revisit this one.

The simple idea is to shoot a white subject against a white background. Sounds pretty simple, yes? Don't jump to conclusions! The metering system in your camera can sabotage your plans for a great shot.

The problem is that the metering system in virtually all modern cameras is designed to render an image that is the equivalent of 18% gray. Consequently, a white-on-white (High Key) image will come out too dark when the meter gets done with it. Consequently, it is necessary to use exposure compensation. In this case you probably need a setting of +1.0 or greater to get the desired image. You should experiment with the setting.

Another approach is to use exposure bracketing if available on your camera. If you can adjust the setting for auto-bracket, try the sequence 0, +1.0, +2.0. Refer to your camera manual if you do not know how to do this. This will give you a sequence of three shots with no compensation, +1.0 compensation, and +2.0.
These steps may be too much and you may need to use something like 0.0, +0.5, +1.0. Again play with the settings.

Your primary goal here is the get the subject properly exposed without washing out the background.

Please put White on White in your challenge description.

If you have not reviewed the forum posting guidelines for awhile, please do so. You will find them anchored at the top of the forum.

This is both a learning exercise and a chance to see what your camera can do. Enjoy.

Cal

calr · Oct 19, 2011, 2:43 PM

I have decided to make this a series. White on white is the first. Upcoming will be "Black or Black on Black" and "Red". Black and red each present their own problems in shooting. Black has exposure meter problems similar to White but it has other problems, also. Red is not so much exposre problems as it is focus.

Stay tuned. It'll be a black two weeks in a couple weeks.

Cal

This thread will be unstuck in a week or so. Have fun with Selvin's new challenge "On the Street Where I Live."

Oct 5, 2011, 10:49 AM	#1
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	New Challenge - Oct 5 to Oct 18 - White on White The very first challenge in this forum back in 2004 was "White on White". I think it would be good to revisit this one. The simple idea is to shoot a white subject against a white background. Sounds pretty simple, yes? Don't jump to conclusions! The metering system in your camera can sabotage your plans for a great shot. The problem is that the metering system in virtually all modern cameras is designed to render an image that is the equivalent of 18% gray. Consequently, a white-on-white (High Key) image will come out too dark when the meter gets done with it. Consequently, it is necessary to use exposure compensation. In this case you probably need a setting of +1.0 or greater to get the desired image. You should experiment with the setting. Another approach is to use exposure bracketing if available on your camera. If you can adjust the setting for auto-bracket, try the sequence 0, +1.0, +2.0. Refer to your camera manual if you do not know how to do this. This will give you a sequence of three shots with no compensation, +1.0 compensation, and +2.0. These steps may be too much and you may need to use something like 0.0, +0.5, +1.0. Again play with the settings. Your primary goal here is the get the subject properly exposed without washing out the background. Please put White on White in your challenge description. If you have not reviewed the forum posting guidelines for awhile, please do so. You will find them anchored at the top of the forum. This is both a learning exercise and a chance to see what your camera can do. Enjoy. Cal

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Oct 19, 2011, 2:43 PM	#2
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	I have decided to make this a series. White on white is the first. Upcoming will be "Black or Black on Black" and "Red". Black and red each present their own problems in shooting. Black has exposure meter problems similar to White but it has other problems, also. Red is not so much exposre problems as it is focus. Stay tuned. It'll be a black two weeks in a couple weeks. Cal This thread will be unstuck in a week or so. Have fun with Selvin's new challenge "On the Street Where I Live."