Male: The ability to produce an accurate representation of an object or a person with a camera is the foundation of image making but the art of manipulating light cannot began until the process of producing a proper exposure is understood.

In this image, a wide range of colors and tones are present. In the past, the white areas on the plate might have been referred to as highlights or the black areas may have been called shadows but just because scenario is black, it does not mean that it’s a shadow. The diffused value where true brightness of each of the areas in this image were accurately represented on film by determining a proper exposure for the entire subject area.

To establish a proper diffused value, an incident meter reading should be taken from the subject area with the dome of the light meter facing the main light source. An incident reading establishes a hypothetical value of 18% in the subject area. That means that if an object of 18% value such as a midterm great card were in the shot and your camera were set up the exposure indicated by the incident reading.

The object would appear as an 18% mid tone on your final image. And the area more reflective than 18% will appear brighter. In any area less reflective will appear darker than 18%. It is the incident reading that is the basis for establishing a proper diffused value on film, tape, or any digital medium.

Some objects that more complex diffused values such as the metallic watches in these images or the champagne glass in this image. In these instances, an incident meter reading is the most accurate method of establishing a proper exposure for the image.

Tim ManToani: When I'm shooting coverage in the scene so I'm shooting a wide master and then moving in from mediums and tights, I'm always using a meter and I'm using it for consistency in exposure and I'm using it to control contrast. I want to make sure that I'm two steps down in the shadow in my wide and I'm two steps down in my tight shots so when it gets in the Edit Bay, the editor has no problems and the entire look is consistent whether I'm shooting for two hours over a period of two days, I've got consistency every single time because I'm using a meter and I understand how to use that to control contrast and exposure.

Male: To aid in the understanding of the control of light, Collins had developed the flowchart for three dimensional contrast. The chart outlines the specific elements of control within that can be utilized to manipulate light. This chart which also can be found online at softwarecinema.com will be referred too throughout the program.