White on dark

[Jack'll do]

I have been working on trying not to blow out highlites on white subjects on dark background. While I have not been completely successfull, I think my results are improving. All of the following were hand held, aperture priority at f5.6 with iso 500 using a D80 with 18-135mm Nikkor kit lens. I'm pleased with some of the detail but angry that I forgot to dial in any exposure compensation. I'd appreciate your thoughts on whether exp. comp. would have improved these images. I value the opinions and suggestions of those with more experience as I strive to improve my work. If it weren't a 3 hr drive I'd go back and try it.

F5.6 1/1600 135mm iso 500
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/Jack_n_Lisa/Wildlife/Long%20Island/DSC_0188.jpg

f5.6 1/2500 40mm iso 500
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/Jack_n_Lisa/Wildlife/Long%20Island/DSC_0071crop.jpg

f5.6 1/3200 50mm iso 500
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/Jack_n_Lisa/Wildlife/Long%20Island/DSC_0116-1.jpg

f5.6 1/3200 35mm iso 500
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/Jack_n_Lisa/Wildlife/Long%20Island/DSC_0117-1.jpg

juvenile
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/Jack_n_Lisa/Wildlife/Long%20Island/DSC_0118.jpg

[Harryb]

These are a definite improvement. :clap

[Jack'll do]

Thanks Harry. What about the exposure compensation? I did come across a lot of information on the D80 group over at Nikonian's forums alleging that the D80 matrix metering is prone to over expose and recommending routinely underexposing by .5 - 1 ev

[raptorcaptor]

Nice captures! Like the top down shot!

[Jack'll do]

Nice captures! Like the top down shot!

Thanks Glenn
It's my favorite as well. For some reason it seems reminiscent of a flower bud.

[Harryb]

Thanks Harry. What about the exposure compensation? I did come across a lot of information on the D80 group over at Nikonian's forums alleging that the D80 matrix metering is prone to over expose and recommending routinely underexposing by .5 - 1 ev

Yeah, a number of folks are whining about the D300 overexposing in matrix also. I know for sure that Nikon set the D300 to expose to the right so I'm guessing that they did the same thing with the D80.

Now this is a good thing because around 75% of your data points are in the right hand side of the histogram. What you got to do in the field is check your histogram and your highlight indicators (aka - blinkies). When you start to get blown highlights you need to make a negative EV adjustment. If the shot is underexposed you need to make a positive EV adjustment.

In most of my shots I make either a negative or positive EV adjustment.

[Maestro]

These are very nice with good exposure. Besides EV compensation my only other bit of advice would be to play around the aperture stopping up or down depending on how the shot looks.

[Jack'll do]

These are very nice with good exposure. Besides EV compensation my only other bit of advice would be to play around the aperture stopping up or down depending on how the shot looks.

Thanks for the suggestion Stephen. I will try that in the future. I chose this aperture and iso setting to ensure a fast shutter speed as I had no tripod and wanted to be able to swing to a bif opportunity if it presented itself (there were lots of gulls, ducks etc flying around). The camera is new to me and I have not yet used it enough to the point where changing settings is quick and easy for me.

[Maestro]

Thanks for the suggestion Stephen. I will try that in the future. I chose this aperture and iso setting to ensure a fast shutter speed as I had no tripod and wanted to be able to swing to a bif opportunity if it presented itself (there were lots of gulls, ducks etc flying around). The camera is new to me and I have not yet used it enough to the point where changing settings is quick and easy for me.

Makes complete sense. :thumb