One thing we did do this week that is very important is to take readings of all areas of the set to confirm how those areas are to be reproduced. Backgrounds versus subjects, for example.
Lets assume a lit subject is 3m from a (ZONE V) grey paper background and the background is lit with a separate light-source. Ideally of course you should try to get hold of two power-packs so that you can more easily control/vary the lighting on each. That being the case you would ensure that the modelling light settings on both packs were set to the same P setting, P1, P2 or P3 on both. Now what you see is what you get, or is it? It is very very easy to see what you want to see. The (ZONE V) grey paper, for example, is grey paper whether it is lit or not but will only appear grey if lit at the same level as the subject. Lets assume an incident reading at the subject indicates correct exposure at f11. If an incident reading AT the background paper position also indicates f11 then the paper will be reproduced as a grey background paper value in the image, simple eh?
Let's revive this ZONE SYSTEM stuff, it lets us communicate levels of tone in a common language.
Given: Incident at subject is f11, grey paper is ZONE V grey paper (mid-tone)
Questions:
Incident at background is f64, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f45, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f32, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f22, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f16, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f11, paper is rendered as ZONE V
Incident at background is f8, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f5.6, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f4, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f2.8, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Incident at background is f2, paper is rendered as ZONE .....
Please remember that this example is for a ZONE V grey background.
If you use a different paper, such as black or white you need to remember that it will be reproduced as its true value only when the light level on the background is the same as the light level on the subject, other renderings can then be calculated according to how it is lit.
Another way to confirm the rendering of a background is to use a spot meter.
Lets assume an incident reading of the subject indicates correct exposure of the subject is again f11, one can then assume then that a spot reading of a grey card at the subject would also be f11. If a spot reading of the background indicated f11, REGARDLESS of the paper colour or tone, it will be rendered as mid grey, ZONE V. If the spot reading indicated f16, regardless of the colour or tone of the paper it will be rendered as ZONE VI and so on. We'll be using this technique with the small products which we'll be starting NEXT week.
I've decided it's time to move on so we'll start small product work in week 4.
You'll need to bring at least one small small electrical or electronic product no bigger than a toaster (no smaller than a gnat), or bathroom products, or a bottle of beer. If possible bring new or very clean objects. NO OTHER FOOD products please and also no fluffy toys or cheap nasty trinkets. Apart from the beer don't bring glass or chrome/silver objects. We need to start with some really simple lighting techniques. I'll also have a Portrait Folio brief ready for next week.
