Basics of Light Metering for Photography with Mark Wallace

[@dekcadeboyz88]

Hands down the absolute BEST explanation of how to use a metering device and the different types of metering. You were straight to the point with no fluff or unnecessary extra talking, you explained everything EXTREMELY well, and you gave examples. I was REALLY looking for real world examples of metering so I can see what I would need to be doing in certain scenarios. Thank you SOOOOO much.

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

Happy to help! We're so glad the content delivered!

[@RogerMunoz-ci7it]

What wonderful tutorial and inside does this gentleman has to share with us all. Perhaps this video was posted eleven years ago. But, it is still relevant today as mush as it was yesterday. I wish some of my college professors would have been this good about explaining this as this gentlemen did. Bravo!

[@leestafford9442]

I really think this video is great, he speaks with authority, factual knowledge and does not waste time with needless conversation or silly jokes nor does it appear he is operating on a trial & error bases Great!!!

[@nelsonneil6029]

I know im asking randomly but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost the password. I appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@ronniecastiel6970]

@Nelson Neil instablaster ;)

[@nelsonneil6029]

@Ronnie Castiel Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@nelsonneil6029]

@Ronnie Castiel It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much, you really help me out :D

[@ronniecastiel6970]

@Nelson Neil no problem =)

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

Wow, great video! Having an expensive light meter is one thing, knowing how to use it is another.

[@AndrewKwabula]

Talk about a Man who takes command of the subject. This is the video that sold me on using a light meter and am looking for a Sekonic light meter. Thank you.

[@adamgregorynyc]

Another great video! Thanks Mark!

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

👍

[@baharam98]

This video was the most complete in explaining how to work my sekonic light meter (mine is L508 zoom master). Thank you for the great instructions.

[@be-do-have]

Thank you so much for such detailed explanation how to set up the light meter! You saved my day! 👍

[@VRKtaka]

In depth and easy to understand 👌 Much appreciated 👏👏

[@janplexy]

Mark, you're the best teacher!!

[@dreamchaser6088]

Honest person will always guide you thank you mark you are great and i subscribed

[@tcurry1756]

Thank you Mark. This has helped me so much.

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

On behalf of Mark - 👍

[@LeighWPhotography]

Thanks so much for going over the BASICS! Many more tuts out there that explain more complicated concepts and this is the first one I found that shows exactly what to do. Mark, you are the best teacher!

[@garym3407]

Thank you for a really good introduction to light meters I am a bit clearer now on how to use them and the theory behind them. Much appreciated and thanks for taking the time to put this video together for keen photographers like myself.

[@p.burley4533]

Best explanation of the exposure triangle.

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

Sekonic is awesome, right? Thanks for the feedback.

[@flaviopresutti]

Mark, you're everywhere!!! Great as always, thaks! Greetings from Uruguay!

[@edgarmauriciocontrerasland5333]

Excellent videos, thank you very much, but nobody talks about how to configure the buttons behind the photometer on the battery cover, thanks for your attention

[@peepers4763]

Thank you! I’ve learned more from this video than the others!

[@thethirdman225]

Great video Mark.

[@tristanlope93]

This is a really spot on tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

Our pleasure! Thanks for the comment.

[@davidjenkins8009]

Just one point, there are or were many cameras that can measure flash when using a dedicated unit, for example the Rolleiflex SL66X. That camera and a number of other cameras in the Rolleiflex range could also meter standard studio flash with an accessory FM1 which was called a meter but was simply a readout and control mechanism as all the metering was actually done by components in the camera. I know it may look like I am being picky, but really I am using the opportunity to spread some knowledge about a fantastic range of cameras. Generally though, I really enjoyed your video.

[@52701970]

Thanks Mark you have a great way of explaining things..what I found odd is that people don't like using sync cords..what so hard about using a cord?

[@wilkeslg]

Mark, you get around. Great job as usual.

[@canalilucato]

Hi I recently bought a Sekonic L-558 Cine and it doesn't metter where I point the spot meter or any change I do at ISO ou T value, it always give "E.u" F value, or if change to T always giver "E.u" fot T. Even by keeping the measure button hold and moving the sekonic, allways the value is "E.u". (The delector dial is turned to spot meter). Is there any CF settings other thing I need to set to make it works or the spot meter is deffective? Thanks.

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

Thank you for reaching out! Please get in touch with Sekonic's experienced support team at [e-mail].

[@canalilucato]

​@@PhotoVideoEDU Thanks, I just got to solve it and if anybody else need this solution I've made a video showing how to fix it at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn2oemRvftV1btk

[@tomytomytomy3188]

Thank you Mark for your very useful job.

[@69ingleton60]

Wow, wow, wow, thank you soooooo much! Your video was very informative, clear and well presented particularly for a newbie like me. You are really skilled in this area and I appreciate you sharing your experience and skills. I feel very inspired! Thanks again

[@vivahabbitvanassen]

Thank you Mark, I wish you would do anything video on the Sekonic 758 DR again. very helpful indeed.

[@globalturfwar]

Watching this in 2019 - Just as relevant. Great tutorial for a budding DoP with a new Sekonic

[@theminimalist-]

Very useful tutorial, thanks very much for the great work. The tutorial is well structured, with clear explanation and instructions.

[@randygreen007]

Gorgeous photos and model.

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

Compliments,excellent tutorial, great!!!

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

You are welcome!

[@guerrerosdigitales]

Perfection! Thank you!

[@GavinSteiner]

Fantastic video. I'm not sure what you mean by the cameras "range" though?

[@joecerda630]

is there a video on all the different models of light meters for the sekonic brand and what are the differences?

[@brunolondinese5857]

Is it possible to put it into reflective flash metering? You were taking multiple reflective readings around your studio while in ambient mode, when in fact you would go on to use flash.

[@alan.macrae]

Great video! I know it's 7 years old but, with COVID -19, good time to catch up on some new / refresher information. Showing my age but, I'm using the L608 meter!

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

Thanks so much! And it's awesome that you are using a meter. We appreicate it!

[@tomtoka]

interesting, how about using it in real estate photography ? do you stand in the middle of the room and measure the light in ambient, or just shoot the meter at different places in the room to get the shutter ?

[@chophousefilms4334]

Thanks Mark, great video. Just to confirm, if I'm shooting 24fps video at 1/50, and I set my aperture to let's say f2.8 for an intense, intimate conversation... the meter will then give me the correct ISO for proper exposure? Am I saying this all correctly? Thank you

[@dukoproduction9159]

Thank you Mark for great video with a lots of information !!

[@videogra5645]

Thank you for all of this explanation. I still don't really understand how to find middle gray using a spot meter, but most of all now I got it.

[@Okechukwuobasijoseph]

Thank you very much Mark for such a wonderful tutorial as always. I finally bought an L-758 cine after watching this tutorial and I am rally enjoying it. Please my question is, is the Wireless Flash Radio Trigger only compatible with Pocket Wizard devices only or I can use it with any other wireless receiver e.g Pixel King Wireless E-TTL?

[@JosesGarage101]

You can use your 758 with lots of flash brand but one studio flash with built in receiver is the the Phottix Indra 500ttl HSS.......AWESOME flash!!!! BUT the ONLY downside is that no meter of any brand today 2015/06/06 is compatible. I hope thay will consider this problem and make it work.

[@paulpowers4]

This is great thank you! However, in film, you don't want your shutter to be more than 2x your frame rate ie at 24 fps your don't want your shutter speed to be more than 1/48. So, if I want to set my f-stop for shallow depth of field and I decide to use an ND filter to do it, then is the light meter now useless?

[@DulceXimenaBO]

I would enter the ISO and shutter speed, it will give you an aperture. Therefore, you'll know how dense your filter needs to be. Let' say you have an f/2.8 and the meters suggests you use f/5.6, then you know you need a filter that will block those 2 stops of light.

[@paulpowers4]

Thank you! I will experiment with that tomorrow.

[@mikewinburn]

you may have figured this out already, but if you have the L-758-DR, it has a cine meter mode... so, just use that

[@wild.Petals79]

do you have to determine the ISO yourself or the meter light will determine for you? so if you are doing an outdoor portraits, you would have to measure the light each time your subject moves? how that will work with children portraits (where they cannot stay still?) .. after your meter light determine the aperture and speed..does it matter how far or how close do you have to stand? thanks

[@sothathappened]

excellent video!

[@carlosp.galvez4639]

Hello! I've seen several videos about this. I'm just not sure which is the saving button you pushed?

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

If you want to store a reading, press the "MEMORY" button on the side of the meter. Multiple readings may be stored.

[@UGCCreatorFalguni]

Hi Mark I was watching one of your videos and mistakenly followed to bring f/s on the screen of my L-758DR digital master light meter. I have lost one function to measure ambient light with {T}. How can I come out of f/s mode? Please advise. Thanks

[@RollinWithSteven]

Great video and considering getting this product. My only question is if I'm using a speedlight, how do I decide at what power to leave my speedlight, full? half? etc? What if I have multiple speedlights, how does metering the flash work then?

[@JerryMac1125]

Again, take a test image and look at it.

[@leejongjin]

What a nice tutorial! Thanks for this video.

[@Connor_Dempsey]

Great video! Thanks

[@normandavid67]

Superb video, learned a lot

[@richardsilva-spokane3436]

NEW SUB Great job on this video production and content. I don’t feel so overwhelmed with the metrics involved...in fact I’m grateful for all the data at my disposal 👍👍👍👍👍

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

👍

[@ivaa7777JAWA]

Great work!

[@Avidcomp]

Question: In a world of instant digital cameras, especially with histograms, I was wondering for example why the need for a light meter, when in reality if for example, you set your ISO and f-stop, one could get close with manual shutter and review... then if it's overexposed, or underexposed, dial in some adjustment until the exposure looks right. Each time reviewing the instant digital image on the camera until satisfied. I can see that when working in film, the light meter is essential due to the photo development time, but given the expense of light meter is it really essential? If yes, what would be a good example?

[@Dmitryzakharov]

Histogram does not tell you if your picture is correct or not. It only tells you how much you have from black to white in your picture. If it is correct or not it cant tell.

[@JerryMac1125]

It's called "add on sales", they want you to believe the light meter is more necessary than it actualy is in digital photography !!

[@khp333]

When you are metering the dark and light areas of the building, do you keep the meter button held the whole time, or are you pushing meter button each time?

[@SiddKundu]

Excellent video....

[@saikrishna1155]

Awesome explaination thanks ❤

[@Drshibuvalsalan]

A really nice presentation. Superb!!!

[@JoshuaFeist]

Does the radio trigger mode only work with PocketWizard technology or can it work with other radio triggers?

[@stevecarmeli2056]

Do you recommend a light meter for night/astrophotographers?

[@movieprof1]

Great teaching. Thank you!

[@shaneburgess5590]

Mark I own sekonic 478dr when I meter and enter reading into my 70d I always get overexposed picture Fresh out of the box no tweaks any suggestions

[@photomusicman9413]

Great video, thanks. Are you using the flash on TTL or setting the flash output manually please so that it stays the same for measurement and shot? What would you set the flash level to before taking the reading please?

[@jonnitm7370]

+PhotoMusicMan The flash in this video is operated manually. Normally you have a desired aperture value depending on the depth of field you want to achieve. Once you've done your first measurement you either increase or decrease your flash output, do another measurement, then adjust accordingly. You repeat this until you've achieved the aperture you're looking to use.

[@Iamjustincognito]

Big thanks for clearing many misunderstandings

[@dzava]

I have a question - the meter shows values often in 1/2 and 1/3 stops. What about the situation when Im shooting the classic vintage 35mm/120mm camera? 1) Can I set these values in the camera or can the meter convert them into full stop values? 2) Would these values be as sharp/precise as the 1/2 and 1/3 values? Thanks :)

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

With those cameras, have the meter set to "full" (1/10 stop) increments of shutter/aperture. The shutter speed can only be set to full stops, but with aperture you usually can go in between the full aperture values. So if the meter says something like "f/8.5", place the needle half way between f/8 and f/11. Set other fractional f/stops accordingly.

[@dzava]

@@PhotoVideoEDU thanks for the tip - I just have a question - I like the idea of street photography - spot metering and averaging. But then I don’t need such an expensive light meter that makes all those studio fun things. I just want something that will average spot metering and also that will meter incident metering. Is there any budget friendly light meter for that?

[@icebird101]

As the transmitter inside the light meter is Pocket Wizard, is this means the receiver should be the same brand (Pocket Wizard) or any other receiver can work?

[@williequinlan4946]

Thanks great video

[@VictoriaFilmsgroup]

what do you mean it would give you the proper shutter speed or iso for a proper exposure, proper compared to what? what are he values set for each parameter to be determined as ''correct''?

[@mikewinburn]

Victoria, i might suggest skipping this "light meter" video and begin with Mark's other video about the exposure. Check out his Adorama Learning series. It's free here on youtube and packed with tons of fun, interesting, and information filled learning modules. You'll be glad you did. (Using the light meter might better be described as 'photography 201' while exposure triangle might be described as 'photography 101'.) Hope this helps ...happy shooting.

[@MrTanker10a]

This is a great video...

[@mnash3]

I like the video. I watch your videos and bought the 758, but it is giving me to blues as I am not able to get it to trigger my b1s! I have verified the channels, but still to no avail. Any thought would be greatly appreciated as I might have to send the product back if I can not get it to do what I bought it for which is to meter read the B1s....sigh....

[@richardburnett-_]

Old video&comments, sorry. Real-world troubleshooting, very important. How was this issue resolved? Could be valuable to anybody like me going forward. Firmware updates? Any help appreciated.

[@rakeshdharan1571]

Hi, can i use this L 758DR to measure light for shooting videos and cinematography purposes ? The L758 cine digital master has frame rate adjustment which makes it ideal for movie purposes. But can i use 758DR for the same...is there option to adjust fps to 24.fps in this model ? Will it be ok...

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

The L-758 also has a fps cine scale. It lacks the shutter angle, lux, footcandle and cdm2 features of the L-758 Cine meter.

[@MrGuitargod91]

I am really confused at the moment can you please help me.. 1) Is EV the exposure compensation my camera body is set to? For example if I am at -7 do I set the EV on the Sekonic meter to that number? 2) Why does the meter have to point to the camera when you meter the scene? 3) I tried to use Sekonic meter for landscape with disappointing results.. both incident and reflective metering. What am I doing wrong?

[@andrewford80]

How are you going Joe? Did you still have questions about metering? It's been a few months...

[@petrub27]

1. no; 2. if u use reflective metering mode; 3. u have to be more specific about how u used the meter

[@neiltai5663]

Please my question is,i use Profoto Air remote ，can i use the sekonic 758 trigger my air remote？

[@kalelissuperman]

hi there! since i am very new in i troducing light into my work (strobes and flashes) using key and fill light; is there a way to know the proper ratio betwee the lights? thank you so much!

[@JerryMac1125]

Take a test image and look at it.

[@ulisver]

Huge explanation! Thanks.

[@MichaelStohldreyer]

nice work!

[@sunshines.t.n.3961]

it's really inspiration for the new photographers & cameraman. ......

[@xm_tech]

Amazing Tutorial many thanks. Sekonic L-508 has same functionality with exception of built in Pocket Wizard trigger.

[@targoljoonam22]

Great tutorial, to the point with sample results...thanks for not boring me to death & making it long winded like others!! :-)

[@Shdd1122]

Great great video!!! Thank you

[@ChesneyDigital]

This meter assumes your shutter angle is always 180 degrees. Does anyone know how to properly calculate the adjustment of ISO setting for film cameras (like the Bolex H16) that have a different shutter angle? (Like 135 degrees). The seikonic instructions are vague and confusing. Thanks to anyone that cam help!!

[@mozmal]

Nice video. I want one of these devices.

[@WHITELIONNYC]

Mark is awesome

[@brucecroskey3476]

I just got the same Sekonic meter however when I am in the ambient mode I can only use the F settings as when I scroll the wheel to T, the upper ambient icon changes to one of the flash settings and the meter will not read..I can go back to F and it works fine...I cleared all the memories but tht did not help.. any ideas??

[@PhotoVideoEDU]

This sounds like you have the meter set to read in aperture priority only. You can set to back to read in both shutter and aperture priority by setting Custom Function #4 to Item 0. (T+F) Please see page 40 of the L-758 owner's manual for details.

[@normandavid67]

I was asked the other day : Why can one not find the correct ISO after putting in the Aperture and Shutter speed in the light meter?

[@mikewinburn]

because when you purchased film, it had a constant ASA/ISO value for the whole role. So, the ISO was the foundation of the exposure that you could not change (other than changing roles of film.) So, light meters have been made this way.

[@bobakdota]

Well you say point the thingy to the camera, but you are pointing it to the source of the flash of soft boxes....I am confused.

[@CarlWicker]

excellent, thanks

[@joonykids]

Nicely put video. Thank very much sir!

[@clarencenewby716]

Did you edit that photo before posting?

[@CoyotePark]

But what if you actually need a specific aperture on the camera. lets say f2.0 and you set up specific Iso and specific shutter speed. then how to meter what kind of flash powers you need using that light meter?

[@JerryMac1125]

Take a test image and look at it.

[@songman1950]

Great job! Good info!!!

[@stevelee2504]

Hi, My Sekonic meter is set to 1/2 steps. How do I set my nikon d750 to 1/2 steps?

[@mikewinburn]

Steve Lee - you can change the metro to 1/3 stop readings as well.

[@JosesGarage101]

Is it nesseserly to take that 3 shot outdoor so you can calibrate in softwear later on or is it a big diffranse if you take the 3 shots inside???

[@mikewinburn]

outside gives you more diffuse lighting so would be more ideal in camera calibration...but of course, since the process is rather simple, why not simply put you "inside" calibration on camera profile 2, and your "outside" calibration on camera profile 3. See which gives you a better dynamic range?

[@PetrKrenzelok]

Great video, I like Mark, however it is difficult for me to follow english wise :-) Just one question - wouldn't it be safer, during the incident metering, to point the meter towards the light, instead of the camera? If the light would be off-side, the reading would not be imo correct ...

[@movieprof1]

You typically point the hemisphere dome directly towards the camera because you want to detect the same 180º angle that the camera is shooting. If you pointed it away from the camera, it wouldn't see what the camera is seeing. You can retract (lower) the incident dome, THEN point it to a light source. This is particularly helpful when we want to determine, say, the key light ration to the fill light, etc.

[@christinfanta8736]

how to set the both key and fill light metering value in camera

[@sevendays5578]

Which flash light is best for canon 60d?

[@ipadista]

What car is best for a medium sized person? :) It all depends on the usage scenario, weight limitations, portability, and budget.

[@aatvpresentations]

Excellent 10/10

[@yassernadaf1599]

Mine shows only one stop & not in between them like f1.8 , f2.2 help me I have the same meter

[@virajkudtarkar3362]

how to change camera 1 , camera 2 & cam 3 mode ?

[@Nicky411]

Wow! Thank you

[@schokoladeneis1993]

I dont get it. How do you change the metering from aperture to time? If I press the mode button and rotate the wheel I only change incedent mode to flash mode. Can someone help me? ty!

[@schokoladeneis1993]

I found it out myself. With the sekonic L508 you have to open the battery cover and switch the F No. to On.