octabox as background

michael kilner

michael kilner

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michael
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Hi all,when using an octa or large softbox as a backdrop I was wondering about the right way to meter.If your subject was 2ft in front of the box do you take your reading from 2ft from the box (same distance as subject) or closer to the surface of the diffuser material,many thanks
 
I take it your using it like you would a highlite ? If so just take a reading directly from the box .
 
If you have a look on YouTube theres a video by Gavin Hoey using a Smick octobox - it seems to be what you are talking about and I think it explains it pretty well.
 
You take your meter reading where the subject is. That's the exposure that you are interested in. When your subject is so close to a large softbox a matter of inches can radically affect the exposure.
 
nigelbb said:
You take your meter reading where the subject is. That's the exposure that you are interested in. When your subject is so close to a large softbox a matter of inches can radically affect the exposure.
Click to expand...

When I set up my hilite I meter at the surface with the meter pointing at the hilite. The reasons are these:

1) I am photographing the hilite and want it *just* blown.
2) If I set an exposure for the hilite to just blow, I can photograph it at 4 feet, or 30 feet and it will still be blown.
3) Unless you have a spot metering attachment for your light meter you need to have it right up against the hilite or it will under-read how bright the hilite is.

In all honesty the easiest way to do it is decide on the settings you want for the photo, say f8. Set the hilite to just blow at f8 and then set up the other lights for the subject using the meter/rule of thumb/however you usually do it.
 
thank you all,I can see the merits in both options,time to experiment
 
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