Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Grey Card Test


The idea of the grey card test is to make sure your camera is working accurately. First we are checking the metering system. Also we are making sure that your camera works in the manual mode with varying f-stops and shutter speeds.

Using the rule of thumb in bright sunlight: f16 over 1/ISO, start the process at ISO 100 shooting at f16 at 1/100 or somewhere near that. Meter a grey card in bright sunlight. See if your meter is far off from that reading, if not, set your meter to what it says and take a picture. This will be your "normal" reading. Bracket in half "stop" increments in each direction. Make sure to label your information so you can go back and understand what you did. We will shoot in JPEG mode only. Do not use the RAW feature for exposure. We do this because we will not be manipulating the image after the exposure (no Photoshop or Lightroom).

This test will help your eye see the difference 1/2 or 1 stop makes to the overall look of the picture. You will understand how to adjust your exposure if you are off slightly. Also, by bracketing, you may find later when you enlarge the photo that you need information in the shadows or highlights and you can choose an exposure that best suites your needs.

The next part of this assignment is to photograph 30 normal exposures of different subjects in bright daylight. Shoot 15 images looking through the view finder; composing shape and form highlighted by directional light. Here, light is the hero. Walk around your subject and look carefully to make sure the 3 dimensional qualities and texture of the subject are expressed by the light.  Then shoot 15 more shots, this time not looking through the view finder. These exposures should also be shot at normal exposure (according to your meter) but without looking through the viewfinder. Try to feel the images you want to create and don't worry about the mechanics of operating the camera. Don't repeat shots you have already taken. Always keep the camera in manual mode for this, do not revert to auto focus and exposure.


I would like you to show your work in class. 
Choose 6 images from what you photographed, three looking through the view finder and 3 not looking through the view finder.
Hand in via "We Transfer" to my email:
folder labeled "Grey Card Test"
then in that folder place 3 folders:
  -First one labeled "Test"  -7-8 grey card images each labeled with
    f-stop and shutter speed-
    make sure to indicate your normal.
  -Second labeled "Viewfinder" (10 images)
  -Third labeled "No View" (10 images)
 
Watch the videos on histograms below:
 
Diopter focus adjustment  
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