BEST tutorial ever. Super simple, doesn’t skip over fundamentals and really breaks it down. No extraneous talking, explanations. Clear and straightforward. Thank you!!!!!
I watched 5 other videos on metering and none of them answered any of the questions i had fully.....your video answered ALL of them and then some ! Thank you
@@eotceotc so that doesn’t matter you are setting up one light at a time, then checking over all exposures, you won’t be using your lights at full outputs almost never..do you not know the inverse square law?
Thanks so much I've always been confused on the meter, but you've made it much clearer. I've always pointed the meter back to the light source not back to the camera.
Well, that's not incorrect to point back to the light. It depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you want the entire scene exposed correctly, point back to the camera. If you want just one light exposed correctly, you can point to the light. But if you do that, you'll want to use more than one light because other portions of the image may be completely underexposed since the light meter is only metering where that single light is hitting, not the rest of the scene as well.
Absolutely subscribing to your channel. Bought my first light meter the other day and couldn’t find a simple straight forward video on how to use it until now. Thank you.
It was quite useful, had never thought of using it. But it can be useful in certain scenario. Just made test shots and adjusted. But it looks useful tool. Many thanks Chauncey.🙏
Hi Professor! Thank you for this video. Before we all get cross-eyed, how do we adjust the readings to account for crop factor? i.e. 1.5x for APSC and 2x for Micro 4/3, etc.
Thank you so much for this! This was super helpful. Question: When one light gives you a perfect exposure and you meter the lights separately, wouldnt adding second light (even 1 stop down) overexpose the whole image when they are flashing together?
Thank you for this tutorial, very well explained, especially for a light meter newbie like me! I have one lingering question. Do you need to get a final reading with BOTH lights on to properly expose the “mixed” light?
Actually, you do one light at a time to meter each light independently. As long as the lights don’t overlap too much, the reading will be accurate. If they overlap quite a bit, then you will need to have both lights on to get a reading in the middle where they intersect. Thank you for the question!
When I was training 50 years ago, I was taught to take meter readings as you describe. Pointing the meter at the camera so that the meter records the light that the camera will see being reflected from the subject. Yet, I see so many videos of the light meter being pointed at the light... surely this is not correct?
Well if you open the bulb thingy then you can meter "away" from you. That would be reflected light i think. The metering in the video shows the direct light metering. Correct me if i'm wrong.
Everything made sense except one thing and I'm wondering if you can explain. For the 2:1 ratio, you indicated that we needed less light on the second light and that made sense, but you indicated that going from f/8 to f/5.6 reduced light by 1 stop. Doesn't f/5.6 give a stop of light more than f/8? It made sense to take the flash from 1/16 to 1/32 because that reduces the light...I just didn't understand how going from f/8 to f/5.6 was reducing light since an aperture of 5.6 gives more light than an aperture of f/8. Thank you for the clarification
When the second light power is reduced by half (1 stop) the exposure meter reading shifts from f/8 to f/5.6 in order to maintain the correct exposure with the light at the reduced power. However, the actual photo would be taken at f/8 with both flashes operating, the first flash provides full exposure on one side of the bottle and the second light half exposure on the other side of the bottle resulting in the 2:1 ratio.
Do you point the light meter to the light or the camera? You stated to point to camera, however I've seen other video's that say to point it to the light.
Both methods are used actually, depending on what you want to achieve. If you want to get proper exposure for the scene, you point towards the camera. If you want proper exposure for a single light you point towards the light. I should have covered both methods, that was an oversight of mine. Thank you for your feedback!
I'm currently using Kodak Ultra F9 film camera. It has a fixed aperture, no built-in light meter. How do I know if I need to use flash or not by using this device/method?
Correction to get more of accurate light metering always best to point the light meter towards the light source, not necessarily towards the camera.great vid BTW
So, I don't like to deal in absolutes as a teacher. You're correct that you can get an accurate reading by aiming the meter towards the light, but that will give you an accurate reading for just that single light. I should have covered both methods in the video, that's an oversight on my part and I might redo the video to make that clarification. If you want to get an overall exposure correct, you need to point the meter towards the camera, if you want just that one light to be correct, point it towards the light. In hindsight, that's definitely what I should have done in this video to explain both processes. I appreciate your comment as I was blind to my oversight. Thank you!
@@chaunceyhuffman861 oh thnxs for the update that would be great to see👍. Alot of times especially with myself you just get taught one way or the other no one really talks about both ways
That was a splendid explanation. Just one thing that bugged me, you did not show any examples of the final shot using the metered 1:1 vs 2:1 lighting. If at the end you could show the 1 light, with 2 lights at F8 1:1, then 2 lights with 2:1, that would've been the cat in the bag.
Light meters have an "ambient" light setting and some meters have a spot reading. Ambient lighting mode can be used to sample natural light and give a reading to help you figure out your exposure. A spot meter can give a reading of a very specific "spot" that you aim the meter towards.
I agree that method can give you more accurate readings for a single light at a time. I should have covered both methods in the video, that was an oversight on my part. I appreciate your feedback!
If you don't have to, don't! These things are ridiculously overpriced (payed 260 bucks for my Seconic which is the same as in the video) and they are cheaply made and feature not more technology than a cheap calculator and on top of it are mostly redundant for metering light these days unless you shoot an analog camera that has no built light meter. There is apps for your phone that do a cery decent job metering your light. Also with mire skill comes feel. Spare yourself the money
It absolutely depends of what your budget is and what you feel comfortable with. Many people do not use light meters and get amazing results! As an educator, I find that using a light meter helps people understand lighting and equivalent exposures better. They can put light and exposure into quantifiable terms that help them understand the relationships between the components of exposure (the triangle). Thanks for your comment!
BEST tutorial ever. Super simple, doesn’t skip over fundamentals and really breaks it down. No extraneous talking, explanations. Clear and straightforward. Thank you!!!!!
OMG! Why has it taken me so long to find this video. Explanation so clear that I immediately understood it. Thank you. Thank you.
I watched 5 other videos on metering and none of them answered any of the questions i had fully.....your video answered ALL of them and then some ! Thank you
LOVE the bloopers. Makes it genuine
Fantastic video! Informative, easy to understand and, best of all, no unnecessary BS. Thank you.
This was definitively one of the best tutorials I've seen on how to use and set up a shot with a light meter. Excellent job.
Thank you!
u have to watch more tutorials.
@@chaunceyhuffman861
What if your key light is 600 watts and the fill light is 200 watts how do you measure ratio on different wattage systems?
Actually you point the light meter at the light your setting up not back at the camera, this is an old video but c’mon
@@eotceotc so that doesn’t matter you are setting up one light at a time, then checking over all exposures, you won’t be using your lights at full outputs almost never..do you not know the inverse square law?
Love the “bloopers” 😂. Great video, very clear!
I’ve watched a half a dozen videos on how to use my flash meter and finally you were able to explain it best. Thank you.
Thank you Chauncey for a great light meter tutorial.
GOD bless you.
It was an awesome explanation that helped clear things up for me, I really wanted to see the photos for reference tho 🙂 thank you for the video 😊
I’ve seen a few videos about this topic but your explanation makes the most sense. Thanks. Subbed.
Very Nice! Well explained. Perfect to beginners who are holding the light meter for the first time like me. Thank you so much!
Best tutorial on metering. I watched a few other tutorials this is the only one I could understand
Thank you for the most clear, and concise explanation of how to use the light meter.
Really helpful. I've had my light meter for a couple of years but never knew what you taught about metering a 2nd light. Great work!
Excellent. Very clear and ultimately I found a tutorial that explained the matter clearly !
Great class.. it’s been awhile since I used a light meter 🤘
Awesome tutorial! I’ll go ahead and make myself subscriber 895! Looking forward to more!
Thanks so much I've always been confused on the meter, but you've made it much clearer. I've always pointed the meter back to the light source not back to the camera.
Well, that's not incorrect to point back to the light. It depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you want the entire scene exposed correctly, point back to the camera. If you want just one light exposed correctly, you can point to the light. But if you do that, you'll want to use more than one light because other portions of the image may be completely underexposed since the light meter is only metering where that single light is hitting, not the rest of the scene as well.
Absolutely subscribing to your channel. Bought my first light meter the other day and couldn’t find a simple straight forward video on how to use it until now. Thank you.
Great video. Very clear. I love the solid seamless.
Great video thanx for the tutorial ! will go out and buy the same light meter !!! Have a great day boss
PERFECT explanation! So simple and detailed. Now I need to go learn math....Lol
It was quite useful, had never thought of using it. But it can be useful in certain scenario. Just made test shots and adjusted. But it looks useful tool. Many thanks Chauncey.🙏
I would Like to save this so that I could come back and try to practice this please!!
excellent tutorial - simple and easy to follow. Up until watching this vid I thought my meter was broken. lol Thank you very much
That's great to hear, thank you for the feedback!
@@chaunceyhuffman861
What if your key light is 600 watts and the the full light is 200 watts how do you measure ratio on different wattage systems?
Any Cumulative effect of both lights on the exposure?
Hi Professor! Thank you for this video. Before we all get cross-eyed, how do we adjust the readings to account for crop factor? i.e. 1.5x for APSC and 2x for Micro 4/3, etc.
Thank you so much for this! This was super helpful. Question: When one light gives you a perfect exposure and you meter the lights separately, wouldnt adding second light (even 1 stop down) overexpose the whole image when they are flashing together?
Brilliant tutorial many thanks
❤ thank you so much for this video. I have this model too👏🏼
Thank you for this tutorial, very well explained, especially for a light meter newbie like me! I have one lingering question. Do you need to get a final reading with BOTH lights on to properly expose the “mixed” light?
Actually, you do one light at a time to meter each light independently. As long as the lights don’t overlap too much, the reading will be accurate. If they overlap quite a bit, then you will need to have both lights on to get a reading in the middle where they intersect. Thank you for the question!
@@chaunceyhuffman861 Awesome, that makes sense, thank you!
Well done. Thanks.
Excellent!!! thanks,
When I was training 50 years ago, I was taught to take meter readings as you describe. Pointing the meter at the camera so that the meter records the light that the camera will see being reflected from the subject. Yet, I see so many videos of the light meter being pointed at the light... surely this is not correct?
Well if you open the bulb thingy then you can meter "away" from you. That would be reflected light i think. The metering in the video shows the direct light metering. Correct me if i'm wrong.
What about for events?
Everything made sense except one thing and I'm wondering if you can explain. For the 2:1 ratio, you indicated that we needed less light on the second light and that made sense, but you indicated that going from f/8 to f/5.6 reduced light by 1 stop. Doesn't f/5.6 give a stop of light more than f/8? It made sense to take the flash from 1/16 to 1/32 because that reduces the light...I just didn't understand how going from f/8 to f/5.6 was reducing light since an aperture of 5.6 gives more light than an aperture of f/8. Thank you for the clarification
When the second light power is reduced by half (1 stop) the exposure meter reading shifts from f/8 to f/5.6 in order to maintain the correct exposure with the light at the reduced power. However, the actual photo would be taken at f/8 with both flashes operating, the first flash provides full exposure on one side of the bottle and the second light half exposure on the other side of the bottle resulting in the 2:1 ratio.
Excellent 😊
Thank you ... very helpful .
Very helpful, thanks
Do you point the light meter to the light or the camera? You stated to point to camera, however I've seen other video's that say to point it to the light.
Both methods are used actually, depending on what you want to achieve. If you want to get proper exposure for the scene, you point towards the camera. If you want proper exposure for a single light you point towards the light. I should have covered both methods, that was an oversight of mine. Thank you for your feedback!
I'm currently using Kodak Ultra F9 film camera. It has a fixed aperture, no built-in light meter.
How do I know if I need to use flash or not by using this device/method?
Thank you
it realy help me
Hello, What do you do if you want to add another light where you would want to create flat lighting for a group?
Correction to get more of accurate light metering always best to point the light meter towards the light source, not necessarily towards the camera.great vid BTW
And a flat disk rather than a dome works best when determining ratios with multiple lights.
So, I don't like to deal in absolutes as a teacher. You're correct that you can get an accurate reading by aiming the meter towards the light, but that will give you an accurate reading for just that single light. I should have covered both methods in the video, that's an oversight on my part and I might redo the video to make that clarification. If you want to get an overall exposure correct, you need to point the meter towards the camera, if you want just that one light to be correct, point it towards the light. In hindsight, that's definitely what I should have done in this video to explain both processes. I appreciate your comment as I was blind to my oversight. Thank you!
@@chaunceyhuffman861 oh thnxs for the update that would be great to see👍. Alot of times especially with myself you just get taught one way or the other no one really talks about both ways
That was a splendid explanation. Just one thing that bugged me, you did not show any examples of the final shot using the metered 1:1 vs 2:1 lighting. If at the end you could show the 1 light, with 2 lights at F8 1:1, then 2 lights with 2:1, that would've been the cat in the bag.
ISO 135, 1/60s what aperture ?
A like for you due to the bloopers 😂
How to use a light meter with natural light??
Light meters have an "ambient" light setting and some meters have a spot reading. Ambient lighting mode can be used to sample natural light and give a reading to help you figure out your exposure. A spot meter can give a reading of a very specific "spot" that you aim the meter towards.
Finallly!!!
thanks a lot faster than othere's
It was definitely very informative
The bloopers were unnecessary lol.
But thank you.
Thanks - very helpful. … captains log
Thanks Sue! Live Long and Prosper! Just kidding, I know nothing about Star Trek at all.
I prefer other school of directing flash meter. it is more accurate when u AIM to the flash. that's why some flash meters have a screw curtains on it.
I agree that method can give you more accurate readings for a single light at a time. I should have covered both methods in the video, that was an oversight on my part. I appreciate your feedback!
You did not show metering with both lights on.
Because you don't do it with both lights on.
Do you have the link to buy this meter??
When set my ISO, it shows half stops. How do I make a hold stop. I am using the same light meter that you ae using
f/5.6 9 is 0.01 stop off f/5.7 not f/8. F/5.6 is the value you should have used.
Nop! In the aperture scale. The next stop of 5.6 is 8. 5.6.9 is almost 8
UNfortunatly that is just plain wrong.
What is wrong?
If you don't have to, don't! These things are ridiculously overpriced (payed 260 bucks for my Seconic which is the same as in the video) and they are cheaply made and feature not more technology than a cheap calculator and on top of it are mostly redundant for metering light these days unless you shoot an analog camera that has no built light meter. There is apps for your phone that do a cery decent job metering your light. Also with mire skill comes feel. Spare yourself the money
It absolutely depends of what your budget is and what you feel comfortable with. Many people do not use light meters and get amazing results! As an educator, I find that using a light meter helps people understand lighting and equivalent exposures better. They can put light and exposure into quantifiable terms that help them understand the relationships between the components of exposure (the triangle). Thanks for your comment!