D300 exposure

[Snapper73]

You will have to bear with me when i explain the problem. When i take a landscape picture with the ski in it I can never get the ski exposure the same as the ground exposure. What is the function called when you focus and take the exposure of the ski and then re focus on the ground. Sorry if this is not making sence but i'm new.

 

[Yv]

:bonk: I had to read it several times before realising you meant the sky, I was thinking of problems with snow, sorry :bonk:

Basically, you meter for the sky, then recompose for the actual shot, and its one of those buttons on the back, to the right of the viewfinder I think, but as I always do things manually, I can't actually remember, so another :bonk: from me as that isn't very helpful. An intelligent member will be along soon to help you you out.

 

[Marc]

I think it's the AE Lock button you're looking for. So if you're using Aperture Priority, you point the camera at the sky, hold the AE Lock button, recompose and press the shutter button. I use Sony but assume it's the same on a Nikon.

 

[Yv]

see, I told you there would be one along soon, just have to wait for them to get out of bed

 

[kalibre]

Hi Snapper73. The function you refer to is AE lock but this won't correct the difference in exposure if that's what you're after. Basically you are never going to get them the same exposure without some handy accessories or some clever post production, as one is nearly always brighter than the other. (Even with British weather)

Option 1: Use ND Grad filters to essentially darken the sky portion of the frame whilst leaving the ground portions clear. (There are many threads on these if you search.)

Option 2: Use a tripod and take multiple bracketed exposures (or manual ones) and you should then have images exposed correctly for the sky and for the ground. Then using something like Photoshop combine the exposures. (Once again searchable.)

Option 3: Shoot in RAW and then try and 'pull' the dark areas back to the correct exposure using software, although this only really works cleanly when the difference between the two extremes is minimal, say 1 stop.

There are other ways but I think I've covered the main ones. It might be worth you having a read up on the subject of exposure so you understand exactly what's going on inside your camera that results in that effect.

 

[Marc]

see, I told you there would be one along soon, just have to wait for them to get out of bed

Oi cheeky! I've been up a long while , had to take the missus to the station. Now have to wait 2 hours to warm up again!