How do you approach the exposure triangle?

[Ramsden]

Apologies for posting something that has probably done to death. But...

With my EOS90D I try to use M most of the time and am still learning. So my question is more to draw on your vast experience.

When I start to compose a shot, I tend to set go to depth of field first, partly because it sets the scene. Typical scenario: Railway viaduct with a train crossing. 70-300 lens on a tripod. I would probably take tbe soft option of f/11 or f/16 depending on how close I can get.

In this scenario I would probably go to shutter speed next - then ISO (not using Auto)

So my question is asking if you have procedures and processes when using the exposure triangle, that might be classed as best practice. What do you intuitively turn to first?

Thanks

Ramsden

[Ramsden]

Hi Lee

Thanks for your response. I grew up on film and my dad was semi- pro (hobbyist) and we used to develop our films in the basement, so I guess its in my DNA!

I've still got his camera with a seperate exposure meter.

[LeeP]

Great response. It was exceptionally detailed and well written.

The following is an opinion tangent and in no way intended as a contradiction, but maybe a more as a counterpoint,

I think many times photographers fixate on the fear of too much noise "...but too much noise will result in loss of detail..." thinking that a tack-sharp, crystal-clear image is the only goal.

I have two friends that toil for hours in Photoshop to create completely perfect pictures that are completely perfect but completely boring because they are completely flavorless.

I want flavor.

I love noise/grain.

I am a huge fan of IoNiZeR and I love their use of noise for creative effect.

Even in the film era, I was more interested in pushing the limits of what a film could do for the creative effect than to have "picture perfect" pictures, which bore me (yes my opinion). I actively courted grain (AKA noise).

And nowadays with AI sharpening and fixing everything to "picture-perfect perfection", I find myself angered by the relentless pursuit of perfection as if that is what is expected.

The relentless pursuit of perfection can be boring (at least to me) because it removes room for creativity, individuality, and motivation to look at a photograph a second time.

[Ramsden]

Hi Lee

I think we are on the "same page".

I have neither time or inclination to tart up my photographs. I used to teach 'quality management' a few yrs back. 'Get it right first time' was a well worn mantra at that time. Thats why I want to understand this basic process, and put it into practice.

Ramsden

[LeeP]

Fair enough. I do a lot of street photography so imperfection is part of the creativity. I also live for bizarre films and outdated films because I want that challenge.

My mirrorless Canons are astoundingly good on program for nailing the exposure without excessive noise, so I only deviate when something's up and then exposure compensation is ridiculously easy and intuitive on them.  

I'm currently also shooting with a Pentax MEF that has the ISO dial locked at 25, so I'm shooting ISO 100 film with the exposure compensation at 1/4X. I also have film in a K2 that is locked at ISO 400, but I can get 100-1600 by using the exposure compensation.

When I was in my degree program I had a Pentax ME and the professor said it wouldn't work because there was no way to set the aperture and shutter speed independently. I asked him to give me a combo. He did. I then set the aperture and used exposure compensation to get the desired shutter speed. He was partly annoyed, amused, and amazed because he hadn't thought past that mindset that manual was everything. Later he said that it was obvious my exposures were the way they were because I was using my version of manual. To which I replied that I was in automatic 100% of the time. I got an A in that course but showed up to the next one with a K1000. LOL

[Ramsden · Accepted solution]

Great story Lee.

Like the A!

Peeing off your Prof clearly paid off.

But i really like your overall strategy/philosophy , though I haven't got your ammount of equipment. 

However, given the bad weather forecast here in the UK I may be drawn into some experimenting!

Cheers

Ramsden

Picture of my Dad in the Rainforest around 1942.

Not bad photo in the middle of a war, and i bet he used his exposure meter. Think he coloured this when he got home.