How to meter backlighting...

Mumfandc · Mar 12, 2005

Hi,

I'm planning on doing some photos of transparent colored objects hung on a white translucent background with either a direct strobe or strobe/softbox behind it. However, how am I supposed to meter this situation?

I have a handheld Sekonic incident/reflective light meter. Thanks for any help.

Hertz van Rental · Mar 12, 2005

You take a direct reading from the light source. But what your meter is trying to do is give you that exposure as mid-tone grey. You therefore need to increase the indicated exposure to get the light back to white.
You do not say what you are proposing to record onto.
B&W film needs +3 stops
Colour neg +2 stops
Transparency +3/4 stop for reproduction and about +one-and-a-half stops for other purposes.
But there are other variables - the colour the other objects come out for one thing - so this is just a rough guide.
Bracket. Or better still shoot a test roll with 1/3 stop bracketing and keep a note of exposures.
Digital you can check as you go.