unpopular
Been spending a lot of time on here!
I can remember it well, when the lightbulb went on about the doubling and halving of values became clear. I struggle for a long time understanding how that was possible. In those days, there weren't classes and the internet, etc. we just dove in and by trial and error figured things out.
I think one problem with photography is that it deceptively simple. Even basic camera control - even with b/w film with all it's variables and flexibility - once you get it you kind of feel like kicking yourself. I remember one evening I made one of those zone system calculators out of a manilla envelope after about five minutes of playing with it that lightbulb went off. This very simple idea tonal regions affected by exposure values completely changed how I think about exposure.
I learned this all at the very tail end of film photography education, and it's interesting seeing my peers who are only three or four years younger, because often they have no idea what they are doing or what a meter is actually measuring.
I think though that over time people will be trained again on how to meter effectively. Even today there isn't a real concise answer on what the best approach is.
Last edited: