Best way to meter for white dresses with D1x

JP_Vellotti · #1 05-23-2004, 01:16 AM

Does anyone have any tips on shooting digital and making sure the bride;s dress doesn't blow out?

Do you prefer in camera metering (spot, matrix, center-weight) or hand-held?

I'm only having a problem with the whites using flash.

thanks.

#2 05-23-2004, 03:44 AM

It's not the metering. In my opinion, because of the interpolation in camera, the highlights are hard to hold. I use the D1x for candids so I;m not really concerned too much about the white gown, however I usually underexpose by 1 to 1 1/2 stops. Then bring it back with curves in PS. You can set the camera to do so, and you can also set the camera for less contrast. The biggest thing that will help is too keep her out-of direct sunlight and use off camera flash. good luck

HGregoryPorter · #3 05-23-2004, 09:12 AM

Why not monitor your exposure by monitoring the histogram?

When I was new to this profession I learned the importance of consistently knowing how to get correct exposures. I discovered Polaroid filmbacks, & wondered why more photographers didn't pull a few at every wedding, if nothing more than to check that their equipment was functioning properly.

With the histogram, every shot is a "Polaroid" for the finished print.

Are you shooting in manual mode? I am in the midst of conversion from film to digital, but I envision shooting in MANUAL to control exposure.

If you are shooting manual, and your on camera flash is consistently hot, why not dial the flash down 1/2 stop or so?

BobStory · #4 05-23-2004, 10:57 AM

Those silk dresses are tough. I think the best way is to get the flash off the camera and use your histagram. Sometimes you just can't shoot what you used to with film,but the pluses more than make up for the negatives.
Bob

#5 05-23-2004, 02:58 PM

It's not the histogram, trust me, it's the way the camera interpolates the file. The D1x stacks more pixels in one direction than the the other, then the camera interpolates the pixels back to the regular dimensions. It's the same chip as the D1 with double the pixels in the vertical position. I had a software glitch last year that would not interpolate the file, kinda had the old cinematic stretch look. The D1x shines thru with smooth images, I believe this to be because of the interpolation also! The wedding gowns I had the most problems with were satin and bright white. Even in studio with a 4x6 softbox and fill bouned off ceiling I had problems at times. Friends of mine switched to the D100 and had a whole lot less problems, however the files from all other cameras do not have the smooth look that the D1x produces. I don't trust histograms as much as others do. Compare a high key versus low key, you can expose in 1/10 stops from each setting. You will never have 2 histograms similiar, the info is way too different and your exposure should be nailed if you take enough images in 1/10 or 1/3 stops! You can shoot a blonde with light skin on high key and shoot a brunette with dark skin on high key, the histograms will be distinctly different! Also I shot the D1x in RAW, once the highlights are gone, they are gone! It's a great camera, just limited for me, to candids of the bride at the wedding.

HGregoryPorter · #6 05-23-2004, 06:45 PM

Vance,

There may be other issues with camera interpolation, but if highlights are blowing out, there should be a corresponding cutoff at the 255 level in the histogram. Granted, a histogram has to be considered in considereation of the tonal values photographed.

Why could he not check the histogram if blown highlights are his recurring problem?

dennis_Beins · #7 05-23-2004, 08:08 PM

use the Histogram as a reference, you dont have to live by it, I check about every shot, the umbrella flash on light stand helps but it never fails get lighting perfect with what ever grey card or target you use, put the bride in the photo and you have to redo it all, I have learned to let the dress blow out a little and change apetures for bride and change again for groom, I shoot for a well balanced scene and if the dress is the problem I let it go, I think skintones are better
when I let the dress go a little over, I don't think to many digital cameras have the dynamic range to photograph a dress and tux in the pressure of getting everything done right on wedding day, but definately shoot the raw a little more work but a lifesaver if you make a mistake,