Project 40: Using a Meter

This is a large project which consists of two parts. The aim of the project is to understand the reasons for bracketing photos and the importance of careful scene metering in outdoor photography. I have used the in-camera meter for all of these photos, as they were taken before I had my handheld meter.

Part 1. Examples of photos that are purposely under or overexposed.

Photo 1: Forest in NW Scotland
A slight underexposure to emphasise the dark nature of the forest, and to deepen the rich greens and browns in the photo.

70mm, f/6.7, 1/180s, ISO400, -1/2EV

Photo 2: Leaves & dappled light
A slight underexposure to allow the bright dappled light to shine through and highlight the leaves.

70mm, f/4, 1/60s, ISO320, -1/2EV

Photo 3: Spiky stem & leaves
Back-lit by strong sunshine, this unusual plant was very appealing! I have overexposed by 1/2 stop to capture the contrasting greens and spikes on the stem.

32mm, f/4, 1/180s, ISO320, +1/2EV

Photo 4: Frozen Lake
Slight overexposure because the surface of the lake is light and highly reflective, and the light was quite bright. I wanted to capture this light feeling.

24mm, f/9.5, 1/180s, ISO200, +1/2EV

Part 2: Sets of photos with varied exposure - ie bracketing examples. Top photo - 1 stop underexposed, Second photo - 1/2 stop under, Third photo - 'correct exposure' as calculated by camera, Fourth photo - 1/2 stop over, Bottom photo - 1 stop overexposed.

Set 1: Amsterdam, Canal View
In this situation (which cries out for bracketing), the 1/2 stop overexposed image is the best, because it contains detail in the shadows and the boat is correctly white.

30mm, 1/125s, ISO200

Set 2: Shadow on Beach
In this example any of the photos works, though I think the 1 stop underexposed is the best.

70mm, f/9.5, ISO320

Set 3: Icecream van at Cramond
The sky is quite dramatic, so the underexposed versions of the photos are better. I think the 1/2 stop underexposed is the best as there is still detail in the people in front of the van.

25mm, f/11, ISO200

Set 4: Night-time view of building
The sky is interesting & deep blue colour in this set, so the underexposed images are better in terms of colour.

40mm, f/8, ISO400

Set 5: Snowy lake with hills behind
This is a light bright scene which I would think would most benefit from overexposure. Interestingly though, I think the 1/2 stop overexposed and 1 stop underexposed (due to the interesting sky and bright reflections on the water) both work equally well in this example.

54mm, f/9.5, ISO200,