Hand held meter

[Ben H]

Basically, you are always metering where your subject will be, so basically where their faces will typically be.

But I know very little about light meters other than what I've read or podsorbed - I'm sure someone else around here will chime in...

[Marko]

I usually meter in front of the subject below the chin, but I have seen different photographers meter differently.

If there is no subject I will meter the area that I want well exposed, dome toward the light source.

These are just VERY general guidelines though.....lucky for you digital gives instant feedback

Hope that helps
Marko

[tomorrowstreasures]

I usually meter in front of the subject below the chin, but I have seen different photographers meter differently.

If there is no subject I will meter the area that I want well exposed, dome toward the light source.

Marko

that answers my question! thank you !

[mindforge]

You know. Kick me in the face, but I don't use a light meter. I just flip out a grey card with black and white and take a shot and go. I usually do another card for every light change. It lets me quickly see breaks for post processing. It also helps later. I am pretty good at guessing the temperature after an initial custom WB.

On the other hand, if I could stop buying lenses I would probably stop and buy a meter.

[Marko]

Before digital, light meters were a must and I have 2 quality meters from those days. Now many digital shooters are shooting without them and using the in camera meter and/or histogram and/or checking the LCD screen instead of a meter.

[Travis]

Before digital, light meters were a must and I have 2 quality meters from those days. Now many digital shooters are shooting without them and using the in camera meter and/or histogram and/or checking the LCD screen instead of a meter.

does seem like a tedious extra step when you can see your results instantly

[Marko]

But they are still useful, especially with lighting ratios in studio lighting.