A light meter is used by the director of photography, who lights a film set.
When shooting on film, it is essential that you use a light meter before every shot you take. A light meter will let you know how much to open the gate on your camera, which determines how much light is let in through the lens. If too little light is let in, you will underexpose and the image will seem dark. If too much light is let in you will overexpose and your image will be blown out. Using a light meter properly will ensure that this does not happen.
Instructions
1. Load your film into the camera. As you do, take note of what ISO the film is. This will be clearly marked on the can the film came in.
2. Light your scene using your best guess as to how it should look. Add shadows or bright spots if you want, but do not make too much of a contrast. Even lighting is always a good idea to start out with.
3. Set the ISO that you noted from your film on the light meter. There will be a button or a wheel that you can move to adjust it to the proper ISO. Also set the shutter speed, which will be on the camera lens.
4. Place the light meter in front of the subject you have just lit. Place the white ball on top so that it is facing the camera. Make sure that no one is blocking the meter. Press the button on the side of the meter to take a reading. This will give you an f-stop.
5. Set the f-stop on your lens to the reading that your light meter outputted. If you want the image to be a little darker, then increase the f-stop a little bit. If you want the image to be lighter, decrease the f-stop. You are all ready to begin shooting.
Tags: light meter, image will, light meter, light will, much light
