How to Meter for Film Photography
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- čas přidán 20. 05. 2024
- Metering for film photography can seem complicated and convoluted, especially when so many photographers do it differently. In this video, I want to break down the essentials and give you the tools so you can meter deliberately from a place of creativity and understanding.
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0:00 The Struggles of Metering (A Dramatization)
2:01 Film Density
8:42 Ansel & The Zone System
13:16 In the Field
21:00 Final Thoughts - Krátké a kreslené filmy
This was easily the most useful photography lesson I've ever received. To call this a video about metering is really underselling it. If you understand how to implement all of this, you'll take intentionally exposed images every time.
Really glad you think so. Intentionally exposed images is the name of the game!
Agreed! I’ve had so many people try to explain metering to me and this video made it all just “click” in my head! Have recommended it to all the photographers in my life 😊
i gotta watch it again. i think i'll get it on the second viewing. im hopeful
the production, editing, and sequencing of concepts show just how much thought and effort went into making this video. I really can't believe this is free and for that it is invaluable to me as a beginner. Instant sub.
Knowing that you appreciate all of that makes doing it for free worthwhile. I hope it saves you time and frustration!
Mr. Cody. Amazing totally amaZing. I don't want to mention how many hours I spent trying to learn the zone system. You did an awesome job Thank you so much you made my 2024 year.
This was a very well written and filmed piece. I've been using the zone system since the early 70s for both film and digital, and I haven't seen a better tutorial. The sliding placement of the zones across the bottom of the screen is the best way to visualize what you're doing. I'm a visual learner, and that's part of why I find the analog meter displays easier to use on all of my meters. They'll pry my Pentax spot meter only from my cold dead hands. ;) Andy
This is the first video I've seen with the Zone System that I walked away with a complete understanding and not scratching my head and saying wait what!
My first time hearing about the zone system and I am blown away. Exposure makes so so much more sense to me now, and I can't wait to use this knowledge while shooting!
So glad to hear that!
best explanation of film and metering on the internet
You are a gifted teacher. Clearest explanation of zone system I've seen.
Hey Cody! Don’t stop making content like this. You present information in such a stress free yet articulate way. Im learning a lot from your videos. The best photography channel I’ve come across yet. Keep it up!
Really appreciate that, Matthew. Thank you! Much more to come!
I've been shooting film 39 years and counting, I have seen/heard many explanations of all this. Great tutorial for beginners in the zone system. Your delivery was calm and well paced. Showing us what you called a mistaken exposure at the end (given your stated artistic intention) was perfect to include in the video. The light meter is a very artistic tool, as is scanning film. With time and knowledge of the film stock you are using you will make faster decisions based on whether you want the scene as you see it or not. That's a key factor. Do you go to shoot at a given time of the day and month of the year to capture a specific light you are likely to get or do you go to shoot and alter the scene with exposure. That's photography in the field.
Just wanted to add that beginners might not know why you work from an f stop in this case as opposed to a shutter speed as your starting point. Obviously inanimate objects think f stops and people think shutter speed is the way I start off.
Love the Zone System, Been doing it since 1999 once I took a photography class at Foothill College in Los Altos Ca, before the digital age. I still use it and still shoot film. I've now found an interest in 8mm/16mm movie film and the zone system is all I know:). Thanks for giving props to the owners who started it. I'm thankful to be from the Bay Area.)))))))))
I also shoot 16mm motion picture and the zone system is the perfect tool in your head. That being said I always base exposure on key light with ambient reading but say if you're using 500T you want to know what muds u or blows in the scene
This was the best explanation of the zone system I've ever heard/seen! Thanks so much!!
I'm new to film photography and you explained metering so well! I now feel like I know what the heck I'm doing! Thank you
So glad to hear you say that! I hope your next few rolls are all you hope for!
Man, I’ve been trying to understand the zone system and this was super helpful!
Thank you, Cwis. It's such a powerful technique, but when you see it in action, it's really quite simple!
Hey, I'm a novice and I really enjoyed your ( lesson?), I got more out of this video than I got from watching a score of other videos. Your video was concise and very thorough yet easy to understand. The explanation of the zones really help me grasp a little bit better the concept of light metering. It had really been elusive before this. I've watched video after video without really feeling like I had a clear understanding. Your explanation of the zone concept which I never heard before and the triangle were great for me. Thanks again for sharing.
This is the best explanation video I've watched. Thanks! 💯
Subscribed, the editing on this video made everything extremely digestible and easier to comprehend
It's odd, Cody, I come across so many digital photographers who either completely disregard the venerable Adams, or, more shockingly, have never heard of the man in the first instance. As you assert, Ansel Adams is one of the progenitors of the Exposure triad - & if you cannot work with (his) fundamental principles of the Zone system - I prefer to remember it as the 'Grey Scale' then I see no point in a more earnest approach to the discipline. In you, I see a reinstatement of values in the art of photography, & it clear you are well versed in your craft. There is a sublime difference between the know-it-all & the more self-effacing, understated professional - you Sir, are the latter; as my Granda would say, "A wise head on young shoulders" - as rare a quality today as ever was. Superb presentation, thank you !
Honored to receive your kind words, Andrew. Thank you for tuning in and sharing your thoughts!
Not at all, Cody. I speak as I find. You're my kind of photographic professional, &, you extol all the virtues that I find most appealing in the art itself. You (also) remind me of the venerable John Garret - his attitude & approach to photography is not unlike your own, ergo, phenomenal. I once wrote to him in regard to one of his many publications on B & W photography, & by kind return, he gifted me a personally signed hand-processed print; it is also signed & has sat in pride of place on one of my living room walls.
Wishing you & yours happiness this festive season,
Best, Andrew 🙂
No exaggeration, but this is the best photography video I’ve seen. I appreciate your in-depth explanation and examples. Thank you!
Wow, thank you! Really glad you found it useful!
Thanks for a great video - the only one I've seen that actually shows HOW to USE the zone system!
Thank you for this! more often then not most of these I’ve seen are all fluff, this was great and to the point.
Best video ive seen. The explanation of the 11 zones made perfect sense for me.
This is the best explanation I've heard and sit through this at least a couple more times!
Like everyone else already said it’s an amazing explanation of how to use the meter for film. I spent so much time looking for a good explanation but I never found one. However I believe I get it now thanks man!
So glad you found it helpful. Thank you, Abrahan!
im completely in awe at the knowledge you share!! thank you
If complete control of film exposure is desired, learn the Zone System. The Zone System allows you to get the images the way you desire them to be/the way your eyes and brain see them.
This was phenomenal. So comprehensive, yet simply explained.
Not sure I completely understood but you certainly expressed yourself well. I can always replay.
Who needs Skillshare when Cody lays it all down? Great stuff. Cheers!
I haven't shot film in years and this brought back so many memories of that period. To this day, I still rely on a handheld meter for much of my metering, although with a lot of experimentation, I've developed suitable substitutes that are reliable and repeatable (such as spot metering off the back of my hand and adjusting accordingly). Experimentation is an important factor in getting to understand all of the variables one has to work with as a photographer. One of those variables that's often forgotten about is the "box speed" of a film; the ISO that's on the side of a box of film is just a starting point, a nominal ISO, if you will. If you mix and match films from different manufacturers that have the same ISO, you'll often find variations in the end result, so it's important to spend time getting to know a particular emulsion, something which Ansel Adams clearly did a lot of, so he's a great reference point for anyone starting in film and it's great to see him mentioned in this video for that reason alone.
This is legitimately, in full sincerity, the best CZcams tutorial-type video I've ever seen, and I'm an INSTANT fan of your style, your work, and your channel. Thank you for this gem.
Great video! Delivered with humility and clarity. Really nice photos too. The missed lesson at the end.....BRACKETING.
10 seconds in, instantly subscribes 😂 that’s all I needed to see
What a great video. Thank you so much!
Super useful video. Great lesson, thanks!
Honestly, Cody, this is one of the most informative and helpful videos about lighting, metering, and exposure that I've ever seen. Thanks so much for taking the time to edit it together for us, and please keep up the amazing work!
This is the best metering lesson so far. Thanks, Cody!
easily the most well-made and informative video about metering I've ever seen on youtube. Thank you so much Cody!
What a great explanation. Well done.
You’re a good teacher man. Thank you for this video.
immensely helpful 🙏 thank you
Probably the best video out there about light metering. Saving this to a playlist to help me learn film photography.
The best video I've seen so far to explain the zone system!!! ( Now one could explain how the development affects the film, because in the end the time and also the temperature play a role. and of course the movement of the film in the can or the tank.)
Love your humility🙂
This was super helpful and very well explained! Thanks!
This has to be one of the most insightful and coherently explained tutorials on metering. Well done Cody and thank you. This has helped me understand a great deal more
i put so many videos in my “watch later” playlist but this one I actually watched on the spot, super glad I did. Stellar lesson, friend.
Thank you for introducing the difference between negative and slide film. I agree with your viewpoints on slide films. Thank you. I used to enjoy the Sekonic L-358 and incident metering for Kodachrome and the newer E100.
I now makes sense. We thank you for sharing your knowledge on this subject.
one of the most useful video about metering. Thanks a lot.
It is clear how much effort and thought you have put in this video. You, sir, are an excellent teacher! Thank you very much, this was extremely helpful.
Hey Cody, thank you for this. Have a blessed day
THIS HELPED ME SO MUCH!!!
Wow! What a great video. You packed so much information into such a succinct video. Keep up the good work!
Brilliantly explained
So well explained, I learned so much!
Best clarified explanation of the Zone System, Thanks
Incredibly useful video, thank you! Great job!
Thank you for the great tutorial.......great video.❤
Best video I have seen on the subject, great delivery, amazing way to show the zone... you are an awesome teacher sir!
Thank you, this was really really well made, amigo. Congrats and keep on!
Superb video. I've been lazy to learn about this stuff but you made it so simple to understand. Plus great visual representation and audio quality.
Great video man, it was super pleasing to watch and informative
Loved your advice! Keep it up, great Photos
Excellent video! Very well put together and valuable. Learned a lot from it!
This was incredibly helpful and informative while remaining very accessible. You have essentially taken an amount of information that could easily fill a large book and successfully condensed it down into a video of less than 23 minutes. One of the best videos related to film photography (and photography in general) that I have ever seen. I would note that I've been casually involved with film photography for 50 years and this video has made me realize how much more there is for me to learn. Thank you!
this only video on youtube explains how the zone system work, I finally understand it now
Wow so glad I found this ! Many thanks 😊
This video was so helpful. As someone who learns visually, your explanation and examples made all the difference. Thank you!
Brilliant video, well done!
Really awesome video on how to spot meter, thanks man. The only thing that is missing is more details on all eleven zones.
This video was awesome. Very useful and I definitely learnt or re-learnt a lot!
Great video. No BS, just clearly explained and demonstrated knowledge. Thanks, Cody.
Absolutely incredible and inspiring video.
best video I've seen on using the zone system. super intuitive, well done
This video speaks so much to the nerd in me. Absolutely love it
This is super helpful thank you so much
I have watched millions of videos about metering and this one is by far the best video i have watched. Thanks a lot, Cody! Subscribed at lightning speed :)
This is the best video on photography in general that I have literally ever seen. Thank you.
I was just reading about the Zone System from Ansel Adams and this is spot on. The examples were super helpful.
Can’t believe I’m just watching this for the first time - it’s unbelievably helpful as a beginner. Thank you so much for sharing with examples!
Amazing explanation and practical demonstration, really helpful
As a digital photographer new to film, this is the most useful video I could’ve watched. You made it so easy to understand that by time you started shooting I was able to correctly guess what shutter speed you would use before you told us. And the beautiful production of this video was just icing on the cake. Thank you so much for this!
Dude you're the man
This was an incredible explaining
I have been hearing about Ansel Adams’ zone system for a long time and could not get my head around it until I found your video. You really brought it down to ‘easy-to-chew’ bits. Thanks for this video!!!
Stellar examples and explanation. Thanks!
Immediately subscribed. This was mind blowing!
Thank you for this very informative video! Such a good job of providing necessary context on the whats as well as the hows. Now I’m interested to meter better as well haha more power to you, Cody!
One easy way to overcome the wide dynamic range of the backlit shot is to use a soft grad filter. Two of my medium format cameras have a 77mm thread so this is easy to attach various filters. Also, bracketing is essential for some difficult to meter shots so you can choose the best capture that reflects the moment you want to remember or emphasis (sky detail). I use an old Pentax spot meter as it is easy to convert EV ratings to choose the right combination of shutter speed and F stop. Great work on explaining density theory and film types.
Wonderfully put. You need to teach. You have the gift.
Super helpful. I have a medium format on the way and this was essential.
That was interesting. That was the first time I’ve ever seen the zone system explained using color film.
The most helpful video on film metering
I loved your in the field explanation edit. Awesome! Thanks
Both a super useful, well put together video and a gigantic mainline of nostalgia for hanging out at Lizard's Mouth. 11/10. Keep it up my dude.
This is really well explained video about metering…. Thank you very much
Great use of the Zone System for regular(Non Large Format) photography. I shot film for over 15 years and never used my light meter in this way. I did use averaging various spot meter readings, but that does not always work. Thank you !
Thank god for Cody! I’ve heard people explain zone metering at least 3 times now and it’s either too boring or missing a clear explanation. Thank you for always giving us your best 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Best explanation video ever
Very coherent and informative. I've been considering buying my first film camera and I came here from Peter's "G.O.A.T.S." video. Thanks for the info in the video, I'm excited to start learning.