Film photography is often perceived as unpredictable and filled with surprises. However, this notion can be challenged by harnessing the power of light meters and manual exposure control. Contrary to relying solely on chance, using a light meter enables photographers to achieve precise and consistent results.
A light meter serves a crucial purpose in the film photography process. Similar to aperture or shutter priority settings, it allows photographers to prioritize specific aspects of their images, such as depth of field or shutter speed. By setting the meter accordingly and adjusting the aperture to the desired value, the light meter provides an exposure reading that guides photographers in achieving optimal exposure. It’s important to note that the light meter’s reading represents the middle grey value, balancing the brightest and darkest elements within the photo.
Embracing the use of light meters brings a level of predictability and control to film photography. Gone are the days of relying solely on chance or accepting dark and muddy images. By employing a light meter, photographers can unlock the precision and consistency that film photography can offer, ensuring their vision is faithfully captured on film.
Tips and Techniques
When shooting film, particularly color film, it’s essential to provide ample light to capture well-defined shadows. This becomes even more crucial when shooting in a backlit scenario, where the sun is positioned behind the subject, resulting in a contrast between the brighter background and the shaded subject.
To ensure proper exposure in backlit situations, I recommend employing an overexposure technique. Begin by holding the light meter towards the area where your camera will be positioned, specifically in the shaded portion of your subject or scene. By doing so, you introduce extra light to illuminate your subject adequately, preventing underexposure.
One of the remarkable qualities of film is its ability to retain highlight details exceptionally well. By exposing for your subject in a backlit setting, you can still preserve the intricate details of the sky and background. However, the approach is different when working with digital photography. In digital images, it is advisable to expose for the highlights, prioritizing the brighter areas to avoid overexposure.
By mastering the use of a light meter in backlit photography, you can achieve optimal exposure, striking a balance between the shaded subject and the vibrant background. Embrace the unique characteristics of film to capture captivating images that retain both highlight and shadow details, while applying alternative techniques when working with digital photography.
Essential Tips
When shooting in a front-lit situation, the sun directly illuminates your subject or the landscape you’re capturing. Unlike backlit scenarios, you have less concern about overexposure due to the direction of the light. Let’s revisit why we focused on overexposure in backlit situations. Shadows require ample light to achieve proper exposure, and when the sun is positioned behind the subject, the area of utmost importance—the subject itself—is often in the shade.
If your camera features an in-camera meter, it will generally provide accurate readings in front-lit scenarios. However, in backlit situations, the camera tends to prioritize the bright background, resulting in exposure compensation that leads to underexposure of the subject.
To obtain an accurate reading in a front-lit scenario, position your light meter directly in the sun, facing the camera. Although the camera’s in-camera meter can suffice, I still recommend taking a reading of the shadows to evaluate the level of contrast and its potential impact on your subject.
By utilizing a light meter effectively in front-lit photography, you can achieve well-exposed images where the subject or landscape benefits from the direct sunlight. While backlit situations require special attention to shadows and exposure compensation, front-lit scenarios allow for a more straightforward approach to metering and capturing your desired shots.
In conclusion, using a light meter provides you with precise control over your exposures, allowing you to achieve the desired results in your photography. The light meter showcased in the aforementioned video is the Sekonic L-358, a reliable option that can be obtained from Film Supply Club, a platform that offers a wide range of film and cameras for your shooting needs. By incorporating a light meter into your workflow, you can enhance the accuracy and consistency of your exposures, ultimately helping you capture stunning and well-exposed images.
