Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Yesterday I spent the afternoon photographing a couple dozen artistic representations of pumpkins exhibited as part of a public library's annual pumpkin festival. Having learned the hard way to review the instructions before doing anything beyond the ordinary with an R8, I refreshed myself on the in-camera studio flash metering function. I used a polarizer and, generally the 60 Elmarit macro. Lighting was a small Speedotron outfit with umbrellas, positioned for a 1:2 balance. The subject pieces were placed on a black back drop. And sonofagun - it all worked. The prints came back from the local one-hour shop and, for the most part, looked pretty darned good. The lessons learned or reinforced from the shoot were: 1. Remember to switch the R8 from the metering mode to manual after getting the reading (as the afternoon wore on, I had difficulty remembering this one) 2. Be very careful handling other people's artwork (two casualties - one major) or better yet, have someone else do it so you don't get blamed 3. Turn off the R8 before stuffing it back into the bag at the end of the session - especially if it's got a softie on the shutter release button 4. Bring gaffer tape 5. Carry a tool like a Leatherman whose pliers tightened up a nut in a locking collar on one of the tripod legs. Roy