Exposure compensation in Landscape photography?

[GMAN]

Wow - I've read a few explanations on the Zone System. This was the most easiest and understandable terminoligy that I've come across!...So, based on the specific object, or particular point of the image that you are attempting to expose properly. You would meter that specific area, give it a Exposure Value based on the Zone System, then make the adjustments based on the meter reading of 18% gray?....I'm anxious to try this out!...You guys provide great insight to these methods!..Thanks

[LeeR]

You've got the gist of it, GMAN, after you have done that a few dozen times you will learn to do it on the fly; that is you will look at a scene, expose for a certain area and then place that area in the appropriate zone. It's a bit complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it you will do it without thinking about it and your exposure control will benefit accordingly.

[tinwhistle]

I'm simply to busy to spend a lot of time "on line", so I just now picked up Ken's wonderful tutorial on the "zone system". I've been a picture person for 55 years and until 3 minutes ago I had never heard of the zone. Thanks Ken for a super job!

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by tinwhistle

I'm simply to busy to spend a lot of time "on line", so I just now picked up Ken's wonderful tutorial on the "zone system". I've been a picture person for 55 years and until 3 minutes ago I had never heard of the zone. Thanks Ken for a super job!

Just remember that the only zones that really matter, are zones 3 to 7 that's the camera's dynamic range-any zones outside of these will require the use of graduated neutral density filters, or combined shots in post processing. regards, Ken

[GMAN]

I feel that I understand the basics of this Zone System!...Which leads me to a question about metering?....Regardless of what metering mode I use, it will always meter the average, regardless of what I'm focused on?.....Being a novice, I initially just guestimate the ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed..I then do my best to Zero out the meter...I'd take an initial test..I attain exposure, but not quality exposure..Either the image was a bit bright or a bit dark...I would then adjust the exposure either +/-, either up or down to compensate!.....Now, this is a question that is coming from a novice!....My meter is just a guide, as I'm making the these corrections utilizing the Zone System...If I attain correct exposure, or what I believe is correct exposure, my meter could be reading -.07 , +1, etc, etc?......Again, Just because the meter is Zero'd out, doesn't necessarily mean that we have the "BEST EXPOSURE", am I correct by saying that?....Also, lets say I believe that the meter is reading Zone V, and I'm thinking that the subjet that I'm metering is Zone VI...Instead of making the Adjustment to the Aperture, ISO, or Shutter Speed..Can't I just make the Adjustment from the Meter reading, either +/-? for Compensation....This is where I need a bit of guidance and explanation?.....

[Barbara V]

Thank you for this insightful post, Ken.

From what you said, I would take it to mean that a matrix metering system would be most off the mark at measuring correct exposure, right? Center-weighted would be a little better, and spot, the best (assuming one doesn't have grey cards)? I am I completely off-base here?

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by Barbara V

Thank you for this insightful post, Ken.

From what you said, I would take it to mean that a matrix metering system would be most off the mark at measuring correct exposure, right? Center-weighted would be a little better, and spot, the best (assuming one doesn't have grey cards)? I am I completely off-base here?

Each metering system has its own best use:

For general photography, with average tones,(most outdoor photography) matrix/evaluative is the metering system of choice.

The time honored method for portraiture is center-weighted.

Spot metering is best used for high contrast situations, where there is a great difference between light and dark concerning subject and surroundings.

Regards, Ken

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by GMAN

I feel that I understand the basics of this Zone System!...Which leads me to a question about metering?....Regardless of what metering mode I use, it will always meter the average, regardless of what I'm focused on?.....Being a novice, I initially just guestimate the ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed..I then do my best to Zero out the meter...I'd take an initial test..I attain exposure, but not quality exposure..Either the image was a bit bright or a bit dark...I would then adjust the exposure either +/-, either up or down to compensate!.....Now, this is a question that is coming from a novice!....My meter is just a guide, as I'm making the these corrections utilizing the Zone System...If I attain correct exposure, or what I believe is correct exposure, my meter could be reading -.07 , +1, etc, etc?......Again, Just because the meter is Zero'd out, doesn't necessarily mean that we have the "BEST EXPOSURE", am I correct by saying that?....Also, lets say I believe that the meter is reading Zone V, and I'm thinking that the subjet that I'm metering is Zone VI...Instead of making the Adjustment to the Aperture, ISO, or Shutter Speed..Can't I just make the Adjustment from the Meter reading, either +/-? for Compensation....This is where I need a bit of guidance and explanation?.....

First find out how far out your camera's meter is:

Camera on tripod,matrix metering,av mode,average outdoor scene
Set exposure compensation,(+/-) at -1,take a shot. Next,in 1/3,(0.3) increments,adjust exposure compensation,and take shots at each step up to +1.

This will result in you having 7 images, 1/3 ev stop apart-
now load these into your image manipulating program, and view at 100%
to find the image with most detail in highlight and shadow areas,without blowing out highlights,or clipping shadows-This will be your Zone V

Regards, Ken