Metering in a Studio.

Johnny Thunder

Johnny Thunder

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Could you please explain the way this works?

As I understand it, I would use a meter to measure the light falling on the subject to be snapped. (incidence light?) Is this correct?

Do I tell the meter what ISO setting I will be using, and it recommends all the other settings?

Also, I understand I will be metering off the modelling lamps, so how do I work out what the difference will be with the flash light?


Thanks guys.
 
You need to tell it 2 of the 3 setting, iso and shutter and it will give you the aperture.
You will need to fire the lamps to get the reading not the modelling lamps and take settings from each lamp on its own and setup each lamp how you want it separately.
 
Yes you are measuring the light that is hitting the background or subject...

You set the meter to ISO 100 for best quality and shutter of 1/125th.. adjust flash for aperture needed (F8)..

Light meter must be set to flash mode...press button and meter waits for flash to measure...

You need to trigger the flash with trigger or test button to measure flash reading...

This is just basic list....

:thumbs:
 
you'll want to measure separately the background lights from the subject lights
especially if you're trying to make the background pure white

shutter speed has no effect with flash
it just has to be open while the flash goes off
so normally you use your synch speed (typically 1/125)
you will need to set your ISO to whatever the camera is set to
output is then an aperture

HTH
 
mmcp42 said:
you'll want to measure separately the background lights from the subject lights
especially if you're trying to make the background pure white
Click to expand...


Does this have to be done if all lights are the same power?
 
mmcp42 said:
you'll want to measure separately the background lights from the subject lights
especially if you're trying to make the background pure white
...
HTH
Click to expand...

Johnny Thunder said:
Does this have to be done if all lights are the same power?
Click to expand...

well
they wouldn't normally be
as you want brighter lights on the background to burn it white
not a usual requirement with the subject
(I have had a few where I've been tempted!)
 
So if I wanted to make the background pure white, how many flash heads/lights would I need? (are we making the background bright white, or are we completely blowing it?)
 
1 or 2 pointing at the background set to full power

1 or 2 on the subject (+/- the odd reflector) 1-2 stops below full power

aim is to get the background pure white (i.e. hide the creases, joins, etc) without bouncing so much forward that it wraps round the subject

it's all about control

people have written whole books about it
(could be flippant and say you should read one!)
 
Thanks for all the advice. I will probably get a book or two. Just asking the basics for now.:)

Can you meter to see what is happening with regard to light bouncing off the background?
 
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