Leica User Forum - View Single Post - Does digital tempt you to shoot your M camera with a slower shutter...

Julian Thompson · 24.06.2009, 00:04

I was toying with the idea of having a go at a bit of film shooting, and thinking about the way I do digital it really wouldn't work.

Today I found myself at the side of a canal. I had ISO 320 selected and I wanted some depth of field but a bit of personality so from memory I was using approx F4. Sky was very overcast and the scene was quite dim to the eye because of the tree canopy.

I am trying to work hard to determine what shutter speeds to use without the meter to improve my technique and I did quite well with it - 1/250 I decided.

I shot - and had a look at the image in the LCD. Perfect actually - I was really pleased. If that had been film it would have presumably turned into a beautiful result.

But then, I checked the histogram (knowing secretly that this dilemma was going to unfold!) and yes - all huddled up there on the left!

So - that means I'm using hardly any of the camera's dynamic range.

So here's the point of my rambling.

Was my photo not a success as far as 'correct' digital technique is concerned? Should I really expose up to the limit and then throttle it all back in post to maximise the dynamics or should I shoot it to be right as I see it straight off the shutter?

I'm at a bit of a creative crossroads with this and would appreciate some discussion!

Thanks for your thoughts!

24.06.2009, 00:04	#1 (permalink)
Julian Thompson Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 05.05.2009 Posts: 335	Does digital tempt you to shoot your M camera with a slower shutter... I was toying with the idea of having a go at a bit of film shooting, and thinking about the way I do digital it really wouldn't work. Today I found myself at the side of a canal. I had ISO 320 selected and I wanted some depth of field but a bit of personality so from memory I was using approx F4. Sky was very overcast and the scene was quite dim to the eye because of the tree canopy. I am trying to work hard to determine what shutter speeds to use without the meter to improve my technique and I did quite well with it - 1/250 I decided. I shot - and had a look at the image in the LCD. Perfect actually - I was really pleased. If that had been film it would have presumably turned into a beautiful result. But then, I checked the histogram (knowing secretly that this dilemma was going to unfold!) and yes - all huddled up there on the left! So - that means I'm using hardly any of the camera's dynamic range. So here's the point of my rambling. Was my photo not a success as far as 'correct' digital technique is concerned? Should I really expose up to the limit and then throttle it all back in post to maximise the dynamics or should I shoot it to be right as I see it straight off the shutter? I'm at a bit of a creative crossroads with this and would appreciate some discussion! Thanks for your thoughts!