Yesterday’s flash seminar at Vistek reminds me to warn you about one of TTL’s drawbacks.
Usually, metering is “evaluative” (Nikon calls it “Matrix metering”). Good. Even good for tough chiaroscuro lighting like in these pictures from the course (one flash, off camera):
But that metering method, while generally very good for tough shots like those, has one possible drawback. Namely this: one small reflection will lead to the entire photo being underexposed, since the metering system tries to avoid overexposing that reflected area. And with evaluative/matrix metering (“smart” metering), even a tiny area can cause that problem. As in this image:
Ouch. Yeah, that got me. So then I remove the reflective object and all is well:
This happens, and you need to be aware and ready. So why not go to centre-weighted flash metering? Yes, that is an option, but then pics like these will be averaged out, which is also not what you want!
And all that is why light and metering and the other technical aspects of photography are not about to go away. A billion iPhones notwithstanding: you need to learn this stuff to be able to do any creative photography.
Great simple lesson thanks.I remember struggling with this until you straighten me out on this. I have a have question for you on the future of photography mainly cameras and I’m asking you because I value your opinion. My question is about micro thirds camera or mirrorless, do you feel or think they will replace DSLR? I hear a lot of talk that they will and one guy was even suggestion that photographers should start ditching or selling their DSLRs for a mirrorless system. What is your professional opinion about this? Thanks in advance. Marcos
Marcos: Mirrorless is no doubt the future (flapping mirrors were invented around 1930), but not yet. For now, until all batteries last forever, all sensors are low noise, all screens are retina, and all dust is banished, we have mirrors.