Digital BW, The Print

In a message dated 8/25/2005 7:20:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time,  
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com writes:

1Ds Mk  III prediction (was new canons)

The essential tool is built into the  digital camera I use and is called 
a histogram! 

I use it all the  time, and I think it will remain the only way to get 
optimum exposure.  Incidentally I think Nikon have tweaked their 
auto-exposure system to give  better results from digital, certainly my 
experience suggests that the D70  is an improvement in this respect on 
the  D100.

Regards,

Peter Marshall



I look to histograms as a second or third opinion most times. I don't like  
interpretive results to what should be an objective measurement of illuminance  
on the subject. I use a twin Minolta Flashmeter V's (for a second opinion) as 
I  can't afford to look at monitors and some engineer's undocument idea of a  
highlight threshold point.
 
By using Photoshop's Info Palette tools, I create a peak diffues white  value 
from a curved surface with a single light and adjust the meter until I  reach 
that point. With custom white balance, this prevents clipping from ever  
occuring. From there all other recordable tonal values follow for the particular  
camera/settings in question.
 
White on white and Black on black are instance where histograms are  
hopeless. With a good incident system and a twin meter for a second opinion,  there's 
no need for interpretation.
 
This simple techique allows me to record any scene with a perfect  exposure 
and make B&W prints with the longest scale possible from top to  bottom.
 
Claude
 
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]