When And How Much To Under Or Over Expose Part 1

[@VanijaMi]

After 10 years of being into photography and many years of watching photography channels on KZbin, for the past couple of years I slowly unsubscribed from every one of them, except you! You are the only one I resonate with and want to learn from. Nowadays I just go out and shoot, and enjoy it much more, and if I want to learn something I don’t know, I come to your channel. Thank you. Cheers!

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!!!!

[@chawenhalo0089]

I'm just a learner but I have noticed that many of the channels lack the kudos and experience of an professional photographer. Too much cut clear do this or that, it's all about the gear. Luckily there is Steve Perry, Simon d'Entremont, Mathias Burling, and our own Brit here of course!

[@MartinCastein]

@@chawenhalo0089hahah thank you so much!

[@mikafoxx2717]

There's still some good ones out there! For entertainment, nick carver does some awesome high effort photography on location on large format film.

[@user-pg5rt7ju4f]

@@chawenhalo0089 one more Brit, Sean Tucker (& his interviewees)

[@MikeLindup42]

Really useful - how to see light anew and the limitations of even sophisticated auto exposure. Thankyou Martin.

[@infinityfabric]

Your video is not only incredibly insightful, but I also want to express how much I appreciate the calming quality of your voice. If God were real and possessed boundless patience, your face would likely be their embodiment.

[@MartinCastein]

hahaha thats too much praise but thank you very much!

[@tenfoldsupplyco5041]

Wtf

[@99muddy99]

For me, an amateur with excellent equipment, your video was a revelation. I know about histograms, blinkies and so on; however, I have lacked understanding in applying those technologies to make a photo that I intended, as opposed to hit and miss snaps. For example, I have tended to underexpose many images, believing that once I saw those “accursed” blinkies, I needed to wind back the exposure, or ruin the image. What I have learnt from you is to trust my eyes, just as a musician should trust his ears. Your elaborating on a desire to keep your model’s hair optimally exposed was a lightbulb moment for me. It doesn’t matter about overexposing superfluous stuff n the background. You’re an excellent educator, Martin. I watch all your videos. Thanks very much.

[@MrMWhitham]

Great tutorial. Really explained what you are looking at in a scene and how you are assessing the light.

[@actorjay]

Dear Matin, this video answered so many questions I didn't know how to articulate. Thank you for taking time to covering how to properly expose for high-contrast, low-lightning scenarios and how to adjust the exposure in RAW files in post. This is so very helpful. Your comments on good quality lighting and using your eyes as a guide are also very useful. Thank you, thank you.

[@MartinCastein]

You're very welcome!

[@derrenleepoole]

The observation about quality of light versus quantity of light was on point. As a gig photographer, one of the things I now hate are LED lights... give me halogen any day. There's a richness and roundness to halogen that LED just can't compare too.

[@mikafoxx2717]

Yep, that's the CRI problem.. especially for skin tones it can be a problem. You need to get high R9 LED's. CRI only measures 1-8 of the patches, mostly pastels, R9 is blood red, R11 is deep blue, two colors LED's usually do poorly. Incandescent bulbs are flawless.

[@DessieTots]

I love this photograph Martin and your advice on understanding over and under exposure is one of those basic aspects of photography that sometimes needs re-telling.

[@SeanMcGown]

Yes, quite useful. The trick with the zebras on the edge of her hair was a key takeaway for me.

[@MartinCastein]

thanks, i feel in hindsight i should have gone into more detail about this as some people have messaged me saying what about just balancing the whole exposure but that doesnt take into account areas we specifically want to expose for. I should probably have made that clearer but you got it so thats good.

[@thomasphillips5850]

You are a Wizard Martin.

[@dje7917]

Hi Martin! I fond myself into a similar situation few days ago I was in a street of Bonifacio Corse! It s an old an charming town about 70m high up on a cliff over the see And the sun goes down straight in that street. At least in autumn. Locals says it was build on purpose. Completely stuned entering that street full of orange gold Light I had to be quick but i managed to get few shots of my wife that i'm happy with And one of these shots is one like you discribe in the video Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@TimMer1981]

Thank you very much for this, especially since it is a complex topic to many who wish to improve their skills.

[@AnandaGarden]

Marvelous. Wonderfully engaging and true.

[@---us7qf]

Yes Martin, this is useful to me. And thank you! I only started photography the last year of the worldwide pestilence. So far, it has been overwhelming, and fun. I am mostly learning simple skills from scratch, on film, but I did pickup an Nikon Zf last week. I have paired it with the Zeiss classic Planar 1.4/50mm lens. Just to take with me and learn on. Whilst, I am focused on learning skills with film, I am also getting some of the digital ones. Slowly. I like short focused lessons like this. I find that I can watch, practice and retain more. And yes, I keep coming back to your channel. I should do better and pay for one of your courses. Thanks again!

[@anordinary_snap]

An other quality content you have delivered to us, thank a bunch!! 🔝 🔝

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Thanks, it was a useful video. We all struggle sometimes with these type of shots, often over under-exposing to keep the lights highlights from blowing too far but end up with the subject in the wrong light. I find it easier with mirrorless using the histogram, but being from the Jpeg I know I'll have a little more tolerance in the raw, and sometimes checking with a spot metering on the area, in tjis case, the back lit hair.

[@MichaelThornton-hx6wt]

Sure appreciated this, Martin. Looking forward to Part 2! (Or did I miss it?)

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

Mirrorless is wonderful. See the histogram before exposure and see sample of what it looks like. Nikon Z6 2 and Z7 2 and Leica M10 series offer this feature. Probably others. I use this all the time setting what I think is correct then turning on Live view for short final adjustment if required. This saves battery.

[@MartinCastein]

Yes and you can do this on dslr cameras too if you just want to set exposure

[@scottwesterman221]

Great informative video Martin ! Love it ! Keep em coming

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks, will do!

[@richardsimms251]

Good video. Thank you

[@janedagger]

I found exactly the blown out areas with a bit of shooting I did, opportunity, outside but high sun. Closer, light color plants just blew out on me. I was moving fast so .... learning experience. But, you've given me some ideas and stuff to work with... thank you. I find myself as of this morning dropping exposure anyway, I just like darkenss. But, also know I should seek out highlights. Decisions decisions.

[@tombain5665]

Excellent tutorial. Just the right balance of technical and practical guidance. Lucky us, Thanks again Martin

[@MartinCastein]

Many thanks

[@iroctd]

I’ve found this very valuable and great to watch, thank you Martin and thank you Lord!

[@Leon04025]

Thank you for the fast, detailed advice 🎉

[@xcx8646]

Do you tend to just use one type of exposure metering mode (evaluative, say) and compensate through judgement and experience (or chimping, if you have time) or do you use partial or spot metering when you consider it appropriate? Many thanks, useful video.

[@MartinCastein]

The metering modes video and how to adjust is coming, its probably the most asked for question i get.

[@jurgenchristoffel1699]

Useful tips, thanks Martin! I see the need to adjust exposure even in the wild, if I take a picture of e.g. a bright yellow flower in front of a darker green background. At least there's the need to switch the metering mode from average to center weighted or even spot metering.

[@yccmo]

ONCE AGAIN: SUCH A GREAT VIDEO! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE TECHNICAL VIDEOS YOU MAKE! SUCH A TREASURE AND YOU HAVE SO MUCH GREAT KNOWLEDGE. THANK YOU

[@BusterMcFlea]

Thanks mate. Straight to the point & expounded clearly. Subbed to you.

[@kevinl1492]

I was expecting you to recommend spot metering her face, but that didn't come up. Maybe it is not accurate enough? In mixed lighting, I recently decided to turn the blinkies off because they are distracting and also because my attention would be totally focused on getting rid of them by making adjustments when I needed to be looking at the composition. Now, in difficult mixed lighting, I will flip my 6D into live view and press DOF preview to activate exposure simulation on the back screen. I can now decide what exposure adjustments to make based on what the final image will look like. If I am patient, I can also focus and shoot in live view or just flip back to the OVF. Works best in manual mode. Turns the 6D into mirrorless when necessary!

[@kimc5750]

Wonderful, very useful series.

[@daemon1143]

Damn, I didn't know the picture style affected the preview. I've only seen three of your vids and they've all said something to interest me; subscribed and thank you.

[@castieldiallo2945]

Well done, Martin.

[@bozoc2572]

Going on a tangent here. How you approach and what is your opinion on light reflectors in nature?

[@MartinCastein]

ok i will make a note of this for a video

[@ericortiz3284]

Great video! Very well explained and thank you for making it!

[@mart872uk]

Another interesting video , and loving your model . All your videos are inspirational and encourage a photographer . Apparently its quite normal for some to get all the gear but seldom use it .

[@Twobarpsi]

Stellar, well conveyed, information!

[@amensmedia23]

Thank you ❤

[@bassangler73]

Good job Martin...Being a Nikon shooter I get good results by exposing for the highlights and pulling the shadows in post...My ole D500 is highlight happy.. lol

[@alexj700]

Thanks for the tip Martin. I enjoy your content very much i would love to see videos on Light and shadows how to balance this two.

[@MartinCastein]

thats a good idea

[@mikehurdiss226]

Thanks Martin. That was very helpful.👌

[@MartinCastein]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gamingdimension7]

EXCELLENT VIDEO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION, IS PURE GOLD !

[@romansivers]

Great video! Thank you!

[@onemanband3579]

Well explained! I have one question, however. How the devil do you manage to restrain the woman to stop her running away? When I do this, it usually ends up with the police. Is manual mode the key?

[@MartinCastein]

HAHAHAHAHA yes indeed!

[@pauldarville3843]

Thanks Martin!!

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I never use the camera meter. The camera has no idea. I do use the histogram and zebra stripes and blinkies, depending on the camera and tools it provides. Getting a technical under exposure increases the likelihood of electronic noise. Having a good technical exposure means I can choose to keep like that, or to go for that dark underexposed look.

[@Steve-jl8pq]

Superb video, real food for thought, my question is about taking portrait pics indoors using window light, what metering mode should I use

[@MartinCastein]

going to do a video about metering modes really soon, i will cover this too

[@GB-AK]

If in low light situations (shooting handheld) do you recommend under exposing the photo (and bringing it up in post) or increasing the ISO and dealing with the noise in post? If you could explain the pros and cons of both the would be helpful. Thanks

[@dragosstoica6371]

Great video, as always.

[@MartinCastein]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@FloridaTwoWheelAdventures]

Martin! Hey buddy I hope you’re well. I’m still tracking along with you but my photography has taken a back seat to other things in life. I miss it so much though. I enjoyed this video because I’ve played around with manual exposure adjustment in camera trying to find out when it’s best to under or over expose. Another thing I play with is white balance and I think I mess it up. Do you ever use a gray card? I know I can adjust it in Lightroom in raw files, and I do, but I’m curious if nailing it in camera is beneficial. Looking forward to more knowledge being dropped on me soon! Take care, Keith.

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

Hi and Thank you Martin Castein, thank you for this clear explanation! Would you please comment about "exposure bracketing"? I think I understand it in principle, but it sounds like way too much work and planning for little return compared to getting the right exposure from the start, and also there are few shots I can imaging with a person as the subject where you'd be able to get three separate identical photos to bracket with.

[@MartinCastein]

ah the bracketing is to combine when the range of the exposure is beyond the camera, so when there is no exposure that can capture the scene, that means blown highlights where you want detail but if you expose for them you get totally crushed shadows where you also want detail, so you have to take exposures for each and combine to get all detail. Its on my list for videos to make, i will try to make a point of when you might want to do this as well as explain how.

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

@@MartinCastein Thank you, you've already made it more clear to me than it was before!

[@davidellis8141]

What’s the matter using fill flash. On Nikon z camera you can adjust the picture you see after setting one of the wheels to exposure compensation because what you see in view finder is what you get.

[@MartinCastein]

well its a different look, usually not done very well, just lighting the subject is very very different from doing it well and its a totally different look that is often worse, sometimes better.

[@bopiyeff]

Great video! I need more practice

[@markewing7898]

Could the correct exposure not be obtained by simply spot metering her hair or face ?

[@jarnix2]

Great video with a good example. Would have liked more examples though.

[@MartinCastein]

I agree, watching it next day I thought it needed more examples. Will do in future and thanks for the feedback

[@alangardner8596]

My uncle who was quite a good photographer told me that he took an exposure off the skin of the model and that gave him the settings for the camera. In the digital age you could just take a close up photo of the area you wish the photo to be exposed at and use this? A patch of exposed skin would be ideal? Has anybody an opinion on this?

[@johnstaples1606]

Made up with what you’ve done on this exposing to the right .. what about exposing to the left? I’m not sure about any of it but to the right is much clearer.. Don’t know what you think .. but.. how do you do this quickly in the field ..? Perhaps a naff question but how should you prepare a camera in advance or practice when there isn’t anyone about to put you off?? Cheers!

[@MartinCastein]

I will cover this in the next video on this subject most likely, i will make a note of your questions, that helps me plan it, thanks John!

[@johnstaples1606]

That’ll be good.. In your videos.. you’re like a gun slinger when you’re out and about no matter the camera brand. Quick as a flash!! Excuse the pun!!

[@MartinCastein]

Hahahha

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

5:24 - what's the first value (7) for?

[@jaizo]

Nice picture . when you said you didn’t want to use a strobe . The final edit looks like a photo that was taken With a strobe

[@gfxmaniac]

High contrast scenario needs middle gray RAW file which can be then manipulted to likings.

[@bngr_bngr]

Can you give an example what under exposure is?

[@MartinCastein]

I will go into this more in part 2 but simply its when you set an exposure below what the meter in the viewfinder says the exposure should be.

[@BobN54]

I think if you introduce a concept like 'quality of light' you need to say what you mean by that. I suspect that 'quality' is just how the quantity varies around the frame and whether in your main subject has enough to provide the information that you need to render it as you want. Also, videos of this kind always suffer a problem that nowadays most photographers don't know what 'exposure' means. Not their fault, the fault of many misinformed web influencers - but it's probably worth talking about exposure as a concept right at the beginning. When you know what exposure actually is, and If you shoot raw then the rules for exposure are reasonably simple and systematic.

[@FOTO_EXPERT]

👍🏼