Question for Nature Photographers #2

[JWellman]

Once again, I hope you guys do not mind my questions. I'm more comfortable here than in the newbie section. This question pertains to white objects.

It is getting ready to snow here and I have read comments made on people's CC's that have to do with the grayness of the snow and how that can be corrected by adjusting the exposure.

When is it necessary to do this? When it's sunny? When it's overcast? Or anytime it's really white? I think I know how to adjust the exposure but would I need to add or take away? And does this also explain why birds and other objects that are white often turn out grayish and often look washed out? I've never taken pictures of white birds but I can definitely see the difference between a pro and an amateur.

One of the birds I have great difficulty with is the Junco. Their feathers are very dark and their eyes are dark. Would adjusting exposure also help in this case?

Thanks so much for your help,
Jess

 

[bazooka]

The camera meter assumes that the scene has an average gray value of 18% (whatever the heck that means, right?? ). This usually works well, except for when dealing with scenes that are supposed to be dark (like a black dog, lava rocks, etc) or light (snow, polar bear), in which case it will underexpose the white's or overexpose the blacks.

So for snow, because it has a tendency to underexpose (it's trying to bring that white down to 18% gray!), you will need to add exposure. The brighter the scene, the more you'll need to add. So if it's sunny and the snow is fresh and all you can see is snow and sky, you'll have to add more than if the scene has trees and rocks with snow. Generally, more white = more exposure compensation.

 

[JWellman]

Awesome Bazooka...thank you so much for explaining in layman's terms. :thumbup: This really helps me understand about my dog photos (he's completely black) and also the dark Juncos.

 

[Formatted]

This really helps me understand about my dog photos (he's completely black)

I know the feeling I had the same problem ^^ You can fix it on Photoshop as I did here - Snow! | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I can explain if you want!

 

[mwcfarms]

Snowy scenes you can overexpose by one for cloudy day and two for sunny. Or maybe thats two for cloudy and one for sunny to get whiter snow. Sorry I cant remember exactly atm.