As a photographer myself, the idea of correct exposure versus true colors can often be very difficult, especially when you shoot high contrast conditions (ie, dark colors but high natural light). I'm assuming you're using a digital camera-- which has its own issues with reds especially-- however, most cameras, that I know of, has a two position shutter release button-- the first stop on your "button" sets up the shot (sets the color balance, white balance, autofocus etc) and when the button is them fully displaced, the shutter opens and shuts. Using that first stop is an extremely useful tool. By setting up your shot properly before shutter release you can make sure the auto features of your shot are correct for the conditions.

I hope I'm not confusing you on this-- but in the case of your dark red flower outside, the camera is exposing for the darkness of the flower with the abundant natural light around it-- but if you're zooming in enough that the camera detects a dark red that it thinks shouldn't be that dark, it'll throw off your exposure.

My solution to this is an easy one. I use a gray card. Find any neutral, boring gray card or board (an 8x10 or so is perfect but it must be plain-- no variance in color, tone or patterns), set up the shot using that first button stop on your shutter release button and focus/auto balance on the card NEXT to the flower you wish to shoot...once it autofocuses and autobalances, keep your finger on the button with the button at the first stop-- it'll keep the shot settings...then pan over to your flower and snap the photo.

It'll yield a perfect exposure every time if you do it properly.

I cannot stress enough, though, to know your camera. Know its capabilities and what it isn't capable of and you'll be a better photographer for it.

BTW-- the gray card works well inside too.

Also (hehe) watch those reds with digital cameras. The gray card will help with this too but sometimes its just unavoidable depending on the manufacturer.

Ryan

Took this today under cloudy skies.
{{gwi:433712}}
Diffuse light. Jet black background isn't jet black outside, but colors of flowers (more important) are more true. Will try "grey card" experiment. I am a professional underwater photographer (another little known fact about Kristi...but my favorite trivial fact "What year did Kristi have Christmas Eve dinner with Cary Grant?", but have an older model manual 35mm camera with light meter, macro set-up, etc. With the flowers and the digital...not sure about the exposure since it seems to be automatic, but just looked and I can adjust it. Just don't want to "dull" the colors. Looks like I'll have a month of blooms to play with it, but those reds sure are the problem, aren't they!!
Kristi

I will add that you can also use your palm as a gray card as well.

Kristi, That is a gorgeous picture -- suitable for framing in my opinion, but then I'm just an amateur armed with a rather inexpensive digital. I'm impressed with the talent you two possess. Ryan, thanks for all that good information. I want to work on getting better pictures this season. Kitty

I think I'm probably better at choosing subject material and framing the shot, than I am at getting all the settings right! I work with a Polaroid digital, on the inexpensive side, and rather old. But it still takes nice shots, and though we should update for technology's sake, I kind of like this one because I know how to use it!

If we get a new camera, it's another book I must read, and some are completely indecipherable!

I, too, enjoy Kristi's photography... Maria is quite wonderful with a camera, too! Actually, I can't say that anyone here does poorly, at all!

Red is the most difficult color for me, too... getting the perfect shade of red to come through in the photo is tricky... sometimes, I rely on Photoshop to help me fix the color, after the fact.

I'm wanting to know if the Cary Grant thing is true ;) and if so details would be fun to hear....My only claim to fame is that I kissed Leif Garrett once, ONE THE LIPS, so for all of you out there asking who the heck is Leif Garrett, he was a wild blonde haired beauty who was in every teen magazine and was plastered all over my bedroom walls!!! In my day, this well could be an equal to Cary Grant (certainly not by talent, but perhaps by charisma??? Next to Leif was Shawn Cassidy...And just think now it's the Jonas brothers, who seem to be completely lacking of any talent whatsoever, but oh do the girls scream and carry on over them!!!!!

Yes...the Cary Grant "thing" is true. I worked at Disneyland and he was hosting the Christmas Eve Procession and he was eating alone and there was a spare seat, so I asked if I could dine with him. Until he started speaking, I had no clue who he was. I instantly recognized his voice. I also served "Charlie and the Angles" lunch back in 1978 or '79 at a private function at Disneyland.

I have to disagree with Leif Garrett having even a small % of Cary Grant's charisma, or maybe charisma of a bygone era was different than charisma of a 70s teen heartthrob (Leif was a later day equivalent of David Cassidy, who also shouldn't be compared to Cary Grant). Mr. Grant was charming, funny, and seemed genuinely nice (and humble) at least to me. I love watching the old movies (House Boat, Roman Holiday, etc) and recalling my quick burger and fries with Mr. Cary Grant at the Disney employees dining hall!
K

Gosh, I feel old! I know who Leif Garrett is/was, as well as the Cassidy's... had crushes on all those pretty boys at one time or another! LOL!

Hi Kristi,

I'm finally back from LaLa land.

I agree with you about Cary Grant (insert big sigh here).

Okay, please say more about being a professional underwater photographer. That is just marvelous! I am an avid scuba diver, amateur ichthyologist, and occasional underwater model. Other than working with my plants, I am happiest underwater.

Cheers,

Blanca

Blancawing,
Me too...I love the sea and anything to do with it. Years ago (20?) I bought an underwater camera setup from a coworker and got hooked. I've taken jillions (seems like it) of photos and have sold many. I have my own photography company called "Something's Fishy". I even had a 5-year contract with a company (Cayman Chemical) to provide them with photos for the booth space and their catalog. That let to a copyright infringement lawsuit because the printer of said catalog stole a photo from me and started using it on all their materials too. (UGH)

I will say that with the knee and Achilles problems that have plagued me for the past 5 years, I haven't done more than snorkle, but...in a way...things happen for a reason. When I am photographing underwater I am so intent on the subject or finding a particular subject, I am not paying attention to all of the other wonderful things going on. I have set the underwater camera down for now (may upgrade to a digital SLR), so that the next time I scube (soon!!?!) I can see all those garden eels, angel fish, coral heads, etc.

And.....BIG SIGH.....Cary Grant was the real deal. I think I'll watch Roman Holiday today. My mother looked like Aubrey Hepburn and that movie is just too cute.

OH....so like Jodi said, the manual for my digital camera might as well be written in Dutch. I didn't even think the exposure was adjustable because it's so automatic. Looks like the F stop is set at 2.6, but I have some control over the shutter speed. Darn camera is too smart, I'm used to fully manual cameras!

Have a Hippi day!!
:-)
K

Hi Kristi,

You certainly are a multifaceted woman with many diverse talents. I sincerely hope that your knee and Achilles tendon will heal completely so that you can fully enjoy the underwater realm again.

I have great memories of the three weeks I spent in Cayman diving with my BFF/dive buddy. My next goal is to get certified on rebreathers.

You probably already know about some of the organizations for women divers, but here is a fun link.

Okay, I'm off to buy potting supplies.

Best,

Blanca

Here is a link that might be useful: Miss Scuba

I've never even snorkeled, but Larry used to do some fresh water diving many years ago... there are lakes and rivers here that you can dive. Maybe someday I'll get to visit an exotic island and learn to dive... that would be so awesome!

There are many multi-faceted and very talented people on this forum! We've each done some very interesting things in our lives! I read about all these cool things that you guys have experienced, and I feel like my life has been boring by comparison... but then, I've done quite a bit that others have never experienced, so... I guess it all evens out! :-)