BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Metering for a wedding

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August 30, 2006

Are you shooting digital?
Outdoors? Fill flash?

I'm sure you know, if you meter off the black, the white bridal gown will be blown out..(i.e) too bright. with loss of detail.
The reverse if you meter the gown.

If you only have one shot at it, bias to the white gown and err on the side of underexposure. RAW will tolerate about 2 stops of under-exposure, but nothing will regain blown hi-lites.

Black Vs. white will have extreme excursions in f/values.

Now, if you ARE shooting digital and desire good exposure for both; Bracket!

Shoot one exposed for the gown and one about 2 stops over. Sandwich the two in your image editor and erase the TUX that was shot +2..Have the bridal exposure on the top layer.
Shoot the bracket in rapid succession.

Pete

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August 30, 2006