| In 30 years of photographic experience, I've made | | | | use a flash for example,you may shoot available light |
| several great friends whowork in Photo Labs. When | | | | at 1/30th of a sec. or slower. (That's why I suggestthe |
| asked about what they think is the biggest mistakethat | | | | tripod.) |
| they see every day; the response is always the same. | | | | Personally, I like using a flash. I probably use a flash, |
| They will oftenanswer me after a long sigh. "These | | | | even outdoors, about 80%of the time (when I happen |
| people just don't understand light,"they say to me. | | | | to be shooting people, that is). Why? Just because |
| Remember: all cameras average the existing light. | | | | there'splenty of light, doesn't mean that it's the right kind |
| What that means is, just becauseyou can see it . . . | | | | of light. Bright light (like at highnoon) causes harsh |
| doesn't mean the camera can. The human eye is far | | | | shadows. I can give a short burst of flash (commonly |
| moresophisticated than the most expensive camera | | | | called: |
| money can buy. If . . . for example,you stand someone | | | | "Fill Flash"), and suddenly my colors are more vibrant |
| in front of a bright window, your eye can still tell who | | | | and the shadows are less harsh. |
| that personis . . . but the camera can not, at least, not | | | | Remember, if you want a subject to actually be white |
| without help. Your eye will zoom into aperson's face | | | | (a wedding dress for example)you will have to give |
| and ignore that bright light around them, but the camera | | | | the shot more light than the camera suggest. If you |
| will not. | | | | want it toactually be black, (a black horse for example) |
| The camera's whole purpose in life is to make an | | | | you will have to give the shot less lightthan what the |
| image that is 18% gray. Long ago,someone decided | | | | camera is indicating. If you shoot indoors, use a flash |
| that 18% gray was as close to the human eye, as a | | | | when you'reallowed to do so. If you shoot outdoors, try |
| camera can get. | | | | using a flash, it might surprise you. |
| But if for example, 80% of the picture frame is filled | | | | You have to make the decisions about how to |
| with light that is brighter than | | | | expose your photos, not the camera. |
| 18% gray, what does the camera do? It tries to | | | | The camera is only a guide, but it has no artistic taste. |
| average out the given light. It willtake your best friend | | | | It will only do what it knowshow to do, which means it |
| and makes him or her, a silhouette. Don't get mad at | | | | will give you an average exposure. If you want your |
| thecamera, it's only doing what it's been told to do. | | | | shotsto look extraordinary, don't rely on just an |
| Use a flash indoors 90% of the time. The only reason, I | | | | average reading. There are 26 letters inthe alphabet, |
| don't say 100% is becausesome events won't allow a | | | | but not every combination makes a great novel. What |
| flash indoors. If that's the case, get a higher speed film | | | | you do with those |
| (400 or 800 ISO) and use a tripod. If you can't give a | | | | 26 letters determines if you are a great writer. What |
| subject more light, give it lightfor a longer period of time. | | | | you do with the information yourcamera gives you, |
| If you use a flash the camera speed is usually about | | | | determines whether or not you are a great |
| 1/125th of a sec. or faster. But if you're not allowed to | | | | photographer. |