Setting correct aperture for this picture

cheesin · 31st December 2003

I took this picture at around 8am. Using F/5.6, 1/100. What do you think of this picture?

http://sg.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/...dnm=pagoda.jpg

At that time, the tree is dark while the sky is rather bright and parts of the pagoda is white, how do I set the correct aperture for this type of picture such that the white part of the pagoda is not overexposed, and the tree is not underexposed?

ziploc · 31st December 2003

Hi cheesin,

If the lighting between the dark/bright parts and the grey (mid-tone part) is more then 2 stops, then basically it is difficult to do so. In this case you have a few options: (1) Choose the main subject and expose it properly, while leaving the other parts (like the sky and the tree) over/underexposed. (2) Wait for better lighting condition. (3) Edit in photoshop. The option I prefer is usually 2.

Hope that helps.

cheesin · 31st December 2003

Hi ziploc,

Thanks for your advice!

farbird · 14th January 2004

Was just wondering if a graycard can help in these situations by using the TTL meter to lock the exposure settings on the graycard in the particular lighting, then use the same exposure settings to shoot the required photo?

me newbie... but was thinking of investing in a 18% graycard...

any advice if it is good?

Originally Posted by cheesin

Hi ziploc,

Thanks for your advice!

coke21 · 14th January 2004

Alternatively, you can try to meter on the pagoda, and then use a fill flash to illuminate the tree, ie if the tree is not to far off of cos, at what focal length did you take your shot?

31st December 2003	#1
cheesin Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Jurong Posts: 98	Setting correct aperture for this picture I took this picture at around 8am. Using F/5.6, 1/100. What do you think of this picture? http://sg.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/...dnm=pagoda.jpg At that time, the tree is dark while the sky is rather bright and parts of the pagoda is white, how do I set the correct aperture for this type of picture such that the white part of the pagoda is not overexposed, and the tree is not underexposed?

31st December 2003	#2
ziploc Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Snoopyland Posts: 3,179	Hi cheesin, If the lighting between the dark/bright parts and the grey (mid-tone part) is more then 2 stops, then basically it is difficult to do so. In this case you have a few options: (1) Choose the main subject and expose it properly, while leaving the other parts (like the sky and the tree) over/underexposed. (2) Wait for better lighting condition. (3) Edit in photoshop. The option I prefer is usually 2. Hope that helps.

14th January 2004	#5
coke21 Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: East Posts: 728	Alternatively, you can try to meter on the pagoda, and then use a fill flash to illuminate the tree, ie if the tree is not to far off of cos, at what focal length did you take your shot?