White on White and Black on Black #AYearWithMyCamera
This week’s project is all about exposure. Since completing a couple of photography courses last year (both of which I was proud to receive a distinction for) I take all of my pictures in manual mode – although I usually take JPGs and haven’t quite built up the confidence to regularly take photographs in RAW.
A camera has been programmed to assume that any image is composed of 18% grey and so it doesn’t have anything to tell it what is an acceptable exposure, and what would be considered too dark or too light. That is why you need to take control of the exposure.
Of course, this is tricky if you are taking a photo of a white object on a white background or a black object on a black background as it will still assume everything as 18% grey unless you take control of your settings.
I have decided to try and do my corrections in camera rather than use an editing programme. I have used an Aperture Value of 4.5 and used the metering to adjust the shutter speed increasing by 1 stop and 2 stops on the white images and then decreasing by 1 stop and 2 stops on the black images.
The image below shows the meter reading line together with + and – stops. At the moment it is set to adjust the shutter speed (you can see the blue arrows either side of the 1/25) but at the push of a button you can then adjust the Aperture Value (where it says F4.5) to assist with the metering and, as a result, the exposure.
I used my Canon 1200D DSLR to take the photos below. The white images were taken at 0, +1 stop and +2 stops and the shutter speeds were 1/50 then 1/40 and 1/25.
The black images were at 0, -1 stop and -2 stops and shutter speeds of 1/25, 1/50 and 1/200.
I think I found the white on white images easier than the black. Which image do you like best?
I like the bottom white and the middle black one. Great shots huni. Thanks for linking up to #PointShoot x
Thank you Aby – and thanks for hosting xx
I am a huge fan of the white images. Great post and photos hun! Thanks so much for linking up with #SnapshotSaturday
Thank you so much Debs – and thanks for hosting x
Very interesting read, I personally perfer the black set #snapshotsaturday
Thank you 🙂 x
Hi Victoria, I found this very interesting. I think the white photos look better, but I do like the second black one.
I checked out one of the courses you recommended and it’s a little out of my price range, although it’s certainly something I’d like to do in the future. I have so much to learn!
xx
Thank you so much for your comment Debbie. The online course can be found via a Groupon voucher which makes it much cheaper! I will try and find a link for you x
Isolated want your camera! I just want a new camera period. I love these, that’s awesome how much the modes help.
I totally and utterly recommend a DSLR! Thank you so much Leslie 🙂 x
I love the teddy… but that’s just coz I’m a soft toy addict 😉 When I see all those numbers it just confuses me.. wonder if I’ll ever get it!
It is Grace’s rabbit, Sooty, that she rescued when we were at Forest Holidays a couple of years ago. You will, I know you will xx