Over exposure. C+C?

[Weaving Wax]

I seem to have an issue with over exposure. Like in this pic....

I don't remember the settings I used (done on film). My question is, how would I go about this type of shot without the over exposure?

Thanks

WW.

 

[Jeff Colburn]

There's an old saying (for film), "shoot for the highlights and let the shadows fall where they may." You want to find the proper exposure for the highlights so you have detail there, but back off a little so you also get details in the shadows, and not black blobs. You can always dodge shadows to lighten them, but when there's no detail in a highlight, like the above photo, there is nothing you can do. There is literally no information on the negative to bring out.

It is a little different with digital, as you can get more detail from highlights than you can with film, but it's always best to expose properly so you minimize your time in the lab or with Photoshop.

It will take shooting a lot to get to know your film and meter, but you will eventually know how to shoot something and have detail in highlights and shadows.

Have Fun,
Jeff