Metering outdoors

[gll]

[QUOTE=bondarnes}
And as far as metering the sky with your in camera meter, if you point it at three different areas of the sky you will probably get three different readings. And is the sky a pale blue or a deep azure today? I grant you that the reading will be in the "ballpark", but the sky is neither an accurate nor a consistent point of reference.[/QUOTE]

Granted its not perfect, but it will surprise you, I first heard of this in a John Shaw book. If you look for the neutral color in anything thats in the same light you are photographing it will be pretty close and there is an area in the clear northern sky that will be a neutral blue in midday light and you can learn to see it.

[zepp]

Originally Posted by gll

Granted its not perfect, but it will surprise you, I first heard of this in a John Shaw book. If you look for the neutral color in anything thats in the same light you are photographing it will be pretty close and there is an area in the clear northern sky that will be a neutral blue in midday light and you can learn to see it.

John Shaw's books on nature are excellent sources of information on exposure concept and technique. I highly second the recommendation. I read a couple of his books in the early 80's and the information gathered then took a lot of the guess work out of ambient exposure.

When I wrote the statement above in my previous post, I had Shaw's teaching in mind. I just didn't elaborate.

Any beginning photographer that desires to understand exposure and metering technique, do yourself a favor and read one of his books. They are also good reads for a refresher. Not to mention they contain some excellent nature photography.

[d2creative]

Hmmm... I have his Nature Photography book on my shelf. Maybe I should read it.

[Gateruner]

Get the book Understanding Exposure. Sorry I dont remember the author but it is a popular book.

Outstanding book on metering and they do alot with landscapes. Covers Sunny 16, Metering the Green, Moon, Sunsets, metering with water in the foreground and a bunch more. Worth taking the time to read.