Whats with the hands in the strobist blog?

[rgrebby]

He holds his hand up for test shots.
Im guessing this is to get an exposure test? But then unless his arm is 4 foot long how is it going to be where the head is?


Or do you move the camera close in, put your hand where the head would be, take the picture and then thats what it looks like.

 

[Janice]

He holds his hand up for test shots.
Im guessing this is to get an exposure test? But then unless his arm is 4 foot long how is it going to be where the head is?


Or do you move the camera close in, put your hand where the head would be, take the picture and then thats what it looks like.

The palm of the hand is "about" correct exposure 18% grey or whatever.... so if you use that you have a rough approximation of the exposure.

Its nothing to do with heads and long arms or focus or anything.

 

[rgrebby]

so how is it done?