Exercise: Measuring Exposure Part 1

Lighter or darker

For this exercise we were asked to produce between 4 and 6 photographs which are deliberately lighter or darker than average and to explain why these were shot in that way.  Metering for these images was all in camera using evaluative metering.

ISO400, f/4.5, 1/30 sec +2 stops

I just loved the way that these two ladies, travelling on London’s DLR, maintained a separation between themselves and each maintained a totally disinterested “blank” look.  Both are protective of their bags, and also keeping to themselves with their encircling, joined hands denoting their space.  There is tension between them, clearly wishing to maintain the space between them.  I gave a +2 stop exposure here because of the bright daylight behind them, but I also wanted to burn out the view out of the window to give a starkness to the background which eliminates any distractions.

ISO 200, f/4.5. 1/180, +1 stop

These fun mannequin heads, I found at an outdoor market in Greenwich.  Here I needed to compensate for the backlighting, hence the additional exposure given of +1 stop.

ISO 100, f/8, 1/350, +1/2 stop

This and the next image I found by chance in Greenwich, but they were ideal to illustrate the point regarding the need to compensate positively or negatively depending on the subject.  The light meter is designed to work to an 18% grey average, so where there are tones which are at either end of the scale, then they will both tend towards a grey.  The Curlew Rowing Club plaque is light, almost white in colour, so standard exposure rendered it a murky grey.  I overexposed initially by 1 stop and then by 1/2 stop, selecting the latter as I lost detail in the higher compensation value.

ISO 100, f/8, 1/250, –1 stop

Here the plaque for the Globe Rowing Club, was a dark slate and the standard metered exposure rendered it a light grey, which it was not.  Applying compensation of –1 stop, brought it closer to how it was.

ISO 200, f/9.5, 1/125, +1/2 stop

Another backlit image, this of the MS Stubnitz, which is a converted East German freeze and transport vessel of the GDR fishing fleet, built in Rostock.  It is now, surprisingly an arts and music venue using the three converted cargo holds.  As it was backlit, even on a dull day, an extra 1/2 stop was of benefit, particularly in keeping whites ‘white’.

ISO 400, f/4.5, 1/180, –1 stop

A black monument to Chopin on London’s Southbank.  As it is black, the meter tends the exposure to a standard grey.  Even though I gave –1 stop compensation I feel this was not enough in order to achieve the rich black, however reducing the exposure further was likely to result in loss of detail.

ISO 1600, f/13, 1/30, +1 stop

The skateboard park in London’s Southbank.  I love this place, the graffiti is so vibrant and it is certainly not static.  Here I wanted to give greater vibrance to the graffiti and lightness in the dark areas at the expense of the outside, where I am comfortable that the spectators are reduced to light shapes.

ISO 200, f/6.7, 1/45, +1 stop

Stratford station.  Although overcast, this was very much like being inside a giant light tent and I wanted to keep the colours vibrant.  The silver of the train and the light grey skies, were pushing the standard meter reading to an underexposure, hence I applied a full 1 stop overexposure.

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