One issue which has nagged me since we got our first digital camera 15 years ago is what "standard" to use for picture brightness. Our pictures are displayed on the camera, two computers, and a TV (HDMI) with no assurance of equivalent brightness. Our camera produces two levels of brightness depending on which one of two mostly automatic shooting modes is used (both are auto iso, aperture, shutter speed). When choosing between two nearly identical pictures with different brightness, what do you use as your "standard" brightness?
Picture Brightness
#1
Posted 15 February 2016 - 01:06 PM
#2
Posted 15 February 2016 - 02:35 PM
If you are using post processing with something like Lightroom or Elements, color calibrate the display on that computer, then use one of the brightness adjustment tools to bring the image up to a level that you find most pleasing and real.
So much in photography is (BG)^2. Best Guess By Golly... So in my book, there is no correct answer or standard, just the one that you prefer.
I am haunted by waters
#3
Posted 15 February 2016 - 03:45 PM
Thanks. We do no "picture processing" but posting pictures on WTW increases my interest in a "standard" brightness. Also, our pictures are managed on one computer while the pictures display better on the TV (HDMI) and so an interest in a brightness "standard".
#4
Posted 15 February 2016 - 04:48 PM
You might enjoy doing a bit of post processing, it gets addictive.... A copy of Photoshop Elements or Lightroom should be under or around $100, and they are for both Windows and Mac computers. The learning curve is there, but once you start working with it, you learn quickly. That way, you could adjust images for the intended audience or device.
I am haunted by waters
#5
Posted 15 February 2016 - 05:19 PM
I had a conversation with a friend of mine about a month ago about post-processing. He felt that it was somehow cheating the "true" image the camera had taken. I tried to explain to him that the picture the camera takes isn't really what was there but the camera's "interpretation" of what it saw based its settings, design and so forth. Display devices (including photo printers) are also giving "interpretations" of the information presented to it. Now you can go to a lot of trouble to calibrate displays, but what most of us really want is to create beautiful pictures (however we define that to be) so the advice Wandering Sagebrush gave about setting up your dominant display sure sounds like the right answer to me.
Not sure I convinced my friend.
Alan
#6
Posted 15 February 2016 - 08:08 PM
I had a conversation with a friend of mine about a month ago about post-processing. He felt that it was somehow cheating the "true" image the camera had taken. <snip>
Alan
Ansel Adams (as well as most pro photographers) spent a lot of time in the darkroom to make the camera's rendering look like what he saw. Sometimes you get it right SOOC, but...
I am haunted by waters
#7
Posted 16 February 2016 - 12:30 AM
#8
Posted 16 February 2016 - 06:55 AM
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#9
Posted 16 February 2016 - 12:06 PM
Strange how some think that sooc is true to the art.
#10
Posted 16 February 2016 - 12:26 PM
http://www.bhphotovi...meras-histogram
Your camera very likely has a histogram option. I posted the link from B&H because they are a bit tricky but once you understand them it helps you to see how your shot was exposed without needing to look at it. Obviously we look at both but if your histogram looks good your exposure is correct and that should fare well in most circumstances. No matter how well we take the picture it will always "pop" more on a screen because of the back lighting. I adjust til I like it and let it go but I do watch the histogram in tough lighting sityations to see if I am close.
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