Using the Exposure Compensation tool.
I need some clarification regarding the effectiveness of using the EC tool to adjust exposure.
There is a debate in this studio. One photographer contends that an image captured w/ an H25 back w/ +0.3 overexposure can be easily adjusted w/ the EC tool without any detriment to the file and it's color or histogram characteristics. He contends that the adjustment w/ the EC tool is equivelent to adjustment of the lens apeture prior to capture, and a 0.3 stop overexposure is a non issue.
The other photographer contends that the accurate capture exposure is absolutely critical and that there is minimal tolerence for inaccurate exposure in the capture stage. That having to make exposure adjustments in EC or levels/curves should be avoided at all cost.
The image in question is a still life w/ mderate tones and contrast. No highight or shadow details are lost in capture. Does the EC tool adjust exposure without change to the overall image characteristics?
Any opinions on this topic are welcome.
There is a debate in this studio. One photographer contends that an image captured w/ an H25 back w/ +0.3 overexposure can be easily adjusted w/ the EC tool without any detriment to the file and it's color or histogram characteristics. He contends that the adjustment w/ the EC tool is equivelent to adjustment of the lens apeture prior to capture, and a 0.3 stop overexposure is a non issue.
The other photographer contends that the accurate capture exposure is absolutely critical and that there is minimal tolerence for inaccurate exposure in the capture stage. That having to make exposure adjustments in EC or levels/curves should be avoided at all cost.
The image in question is a still life w/ mderate tones and contrast. No highight or shadow details are lost in capture. Does the EC tool adjust exposure without change to the overall image characteristics?
Any opinions on this topic are welcome.
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The best way is to do two shots of the same scene, one you use EC, the other you open up and don't use EC. Then Compare! 0 -
Robb Harrell,
I tend to agree with Photographer #1... to a point.
That said, Photographer #2's point of dead-on exposure is possible in a controlled studio shoot when a test image and histogram can be analyzed.
As we know, underexposed digital images are more salvable then overexposed images. The data is still there. Overexposed and the data is obliterated.
But, with a too far underexposed image; you have to remove a lot of density to lighten and the risk of color crossover in shadows is there.
This becomes more forgiving with shooting RAW.
We tout that one of the advantages of shooting RAW is the ability to adjust exposure as if you actually bracketed the shot with stops up and stops down. To save you in an uncontrolled shooting environment. If the adjustment is not too way off, then using the EC slider tool is a very quick and efficient fix to image files. this is especially so if the photo session was shot consistently and an EC adjustment can be applied to all the images from a shoot. No, the loss of data and detail should be insignificant,... but as jjlphoto suggests... Test Test Test 😉
With your still life example, you can do the Tips and Tricks of processing the same image twice and then merge them to increase dynamic range for truly the Perfect Image.
See Tips&Tricks article:
http://www.phaseone.com/Content/Softwar ... namic.aspx
Sincerely,
kc0 -
Gentleman,
Thanks for your imput on this topic! I'm not sure that it will settle this debate amongst these photographers, but it can be helpful imformation in our workflow.
P.S. I'm photographer #1 👿0 -
These debates go on for years and go nowhere. The only truth or maxim is that any type of edit changes the data, period.
Even moving the RAW data into the processor, and through the cameras input profile, and eventually out to the final output profile alters the data due to numerical rounding.
Even when you are viewing that image on your monitor, you are viewing an image that has temporary data loss because your displays gamut is much less than a typical RGB working space such as AdobeRGB.
The question is, is the change or loss of data noticeable or objectionable when the image is printed? Only you and your clients should be the ones that answer that.0 -
As a photographer of architecture, I always use 2 to 5 exposures per image. Most of these are several changes of the EC slider, others utilize different camera exposures. I'm never happy with one overall exposure. I also travel as lightly as possible, i.e. no lights.
There is an exact method of masking highlights/ shadows in photoshop. In quick summary, it involves pasting the layer underneath, into the mask of the top layer. By inverting the pasted mask (it is B&W) you can accurately choose which areas come through.
http://studio.adobe.com/us/tips/tip.jsp ... &id=1009280
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