White Towel Exposures

[nldunne]

My Light level is a bit low but I tried working my Cam Settings off the White Hand Towel anyway.
My ISO is 1250 Manual. My EV is "0" Default, Minus 0.33 and Plus 0.33 in a 3 exposure bracket.
These two are the "0" Default images.
The settings I got from the White Towel I used to do my subject.

I take a 3 image bracket of the White Towel for my Detail and Texture accuracy - along with White Balance Accuracy - as well (with a Magnifying Lupe) - before I do any subject images - also in 3 image bracket.

If the need arises, I can do this as well. I find it most helpful - as it keeps me
from making exposure errors by guessing what exposure I should use -
With a Magnifying Lupe - keep a strong eye on my texture and details of the White Towel - as I change my ISO and or EV - one click at a time - above or below Default "0". This idea helps greatly to keep my exposures accurate.

[nldunne]

I updated my info in this thread - above

[nldunne]

I set my ISO Default "0" Manual - by setting ISO to AUTO - and then by pressing the Shutter Button Half way down and noting ISO given - off White Towel - and using that ISO for my image
If I use any EV - Plus or Minus - other than "0" Default, I set my ISO to AUTO and press the shutter button HALF WAY DOWN to find Manual ISO - for each ISO used - and use that ISO for my 3 image bracket.

[nldunne]

While at Y V R Saturday, I tried an idea- for the first time - from my White Towel.

I first found my ISO on "0" EV - from the AUTO SETTING and Pressing the
Shutter Button Half Way Down. That gave me ISO 640 in the light I had.
Then gave me a choice - use the ISO 640 at EV Plus 0.33 or find the ISO
assigned to Plus 0.33 - which gave me ISO 800.

For these images - I tried ISO 800 - the assigned ISO for EV PLUS 0.33 of my 3 image bracket.

I do like having the option like this - if I am given it. - in low light as a rule.
This ISO example will work on the dark side of EV Default "0" as well - if the light level is a bit too high. Care has to be taken - but it is still better than Guessing how much darkening to use.

[nldunne]

Another point - working with White Towel - when doing special subjects - like a wedding or similar. I have - Four - subtle choices of settings right around Default EV "0" I can start with. (I would try to go early and do a set of tests in the lighting available - in this case - before any program starts).
1) "0" Default EV at IE ISO 640
2) Plus 0.33 EV at IE ISO 640
3) Minus 0.33 EV at IE 800
4) Default ISO 800
This idea can also be used on the Minus Side of Default"0" - with extreme care

[nldunne]

An illustration of how a color card can help show color accuracy in the subject - along with the white texture and detail of the white towel. I like the various shades of pink (lower right corner of the card above the grey squares) for a skin check as well.(I wish I had my card in the middle of the towel)

[nldunne]

For those who like black and white - here is a quick pre main image test image I did. This is under houselights at 1000 ISO Manual (set from White Towel) with NO PP except cropping and rsizing.
This image gives me the opportunity to check ISO, Texture and Detail, Grey Scale Values among other things.

[nldunne]

For anyone interested in seeing how an image shape may look - I tried this test using my 2 VIEW CATCHERS. As close as I could measure my opening, I made my opening - 46.5 (47) x 40.0 cm - which is VERMEER'S - GIRL with PEARL EARRING.
First I locked in ISO at 200 from Towel.
Then, I locked in subject without the View Catchers pressing the shutter button half way down..
Next, I moved the View Catchers in front of Lens and Subject and tried carefully to do the image This is only an illustration of an idea.

[nldunne]

We had hard copies done (of Anne at YVR and water's edge) - the last images done).

I took these hard copies and put them on top of similar colors in my Painting Exhibition Catalogue Images with the same colors. When I put the colors on top of each other, the Red and Blue colors (of my hard copy and Catalogue images) matched the red and blues in some of the catalogue's images - within 1% or 2% of the difference in color, contrast and brightness levels
between them. This closeness really surprised me how close the colors were.

I feel this method can be used to check one's work (and Printing Shop's work) very accurately. I suggest using an Independent Photo Print Shop (or yourself - if you do this work) - not one by mail or in a department store or similar for doing this.