You can measure the light either from the camera position or from close to the subject. The reading can be taken in two ways: using the light reflected from the subject or the incident light falling on the subject. Incident light readings can only be taken using a hand-held meter.
A reflected light reading, taken by both built-in and hand-held meters, measures the light bouncing off the subject. It can he measured either from the camera position, where you will actually take the photograph, or close to the subject. Taking the reading from the camera position will give an overall impression of the available light, including the background. But, if one part of the picture is more important than the rest, walk up to it and take the reading, or measure the light on a substitute. For example, a hand held close to the meter will represent skin tones in a portrait if similarly lit. Read the rest of this entry »
The angle of view, or the amount of a scene taken in by the lens, is governed by the focal length of the lens: for example, a short focal length will give a wide angle or view. So you can photograph different parts of the view just by changing lenses–as shown in the three pictures on the right. The girl and the camera stay in the same position for each photograph, showing that subject and background enlarge equally as the angle of view narrows. Read the rest of this entry »
